Littleborough is a historic town in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, situated in the foothills of the Pennines near the Rochdale Canal. The town expanded during the Industrial Revolution as cotton spinning, weaving and quarrying developed around the surrounding valleys and waterways.
Littleborough: Historical sights and information
Facts about Littleborough
- Latitude:
- 53.644527
- Longitude:
- -2.096378
- GPS Coordinates:
- 53°39' N, 02°06' W
The historical and tourist significance of the town
Littleborough's industrial heritage is closely linked to the Rochdale Canal, one of the historic trans-Pennine waterways. The canal and former mills provide reminders of the town's importance to the nineteenth-century textile industry.
Hollingworth Lake is one of the area's best-known attractions and offers walking, sailing and waterside recreation. The surrounding Pennine landscape provides extensive opportunities for hiking and cycling, while nearby attractions include Healey Dell Nature Reserve and the wider Rochdale Valley.
Food and shopping
Littleborough has cafés, restaurants, traditional pubs, bakeries, takeaways, supermarkets and independent local businesses. Lancashire produce, including cheeses, meats, breads and seasonal farm products, features in the regional food culture. Spring through autumn is particularly suitable for enjoying the canal, reservoir and Pennine countryside, while the town's hospitality and local amenities provide year-round interest.
Locations & Tours
Discover famous landmarks, historical sites and tourist attractions in Littleborough.