Towns and Villages
About Rossendale
The beautiful Rossendale Valley is made up of 4 main areas: Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Whitworth and covers 54 square miles. Its industrial past, steeped in history, provides the backdrop for Bacup, recognised by English Heritage as the best preserved Mill town in England and Rawtenstall, home to the renowned Fitzpatrick's - famous for being Britain's last remaining Temperance bar.
Set in the picturesque valley of the River Irwell, the area also enjoys excellent outdoor facilities including the Mary Towneley Loop, (a section of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail). The Rossendale Way and the superb Irwell Sculpture Trail offers varied walking conditions, as well as some fabulous attractions within the area.
Ski Rossendale is the North's premier dry ski slope and offers everything from gentle nursery slopes to exhilarating snow boarding for visitors of all abilities. Further south, Whitworth Waterski Centre offers wet and wonderful activities for those adrenalin chasers. Other must see attractions include the East Lancashire Steam Railway and Helmshore Textile Museum.
With festivals, Christmas markets, exhibitions, nightlife and the world famous Britannia Coconut Dancers, Rossendale is the perfect visitor destination whether you want to join us for a day out or a longer stay.
Rawtenstall
A short stroll from the terminus of the awardwinning East Lancashire Steam Railway brings you into Rawtenstall, at the heart of Rossendale. The cobbled main shopping street leads to the twice weekly market, with the Weavers' Cottage, Fitzpatrick's Temperance Bar, and Lambert Howarth's Footwear Museum and Mill Shop nearby.
Haslingden
Haslingden was granted the right to hold a market in 1676 by King Charles II. This bustling town is an ideal base for walking out into the stunning Grane Valley on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. The attractive village of Helmshore is nearby with its famous Helmshore Mills Textile Museum and Cronkshaw Fold Farm Education Centre.
Bacup
Recognised by English Heritage as the bestpreserved cotton town in England, Bacup's history can now be traced by following a town trail. Leaflets are available from shops and the library and a brass rubbing can be made at the information boards to give you a special souvenir of your visit.
Whitworth
The Township of Whitworth is in the southeast corner of Lancashire, between Bacup and Rochdale. Fine 17th and 18th Century buildings surround the Market Square which, along with the surrounding streets, is a conservation area. The Square is an ideal base for walks over Brown Wardle Hill or into Healey Dell, and the Pennine Bridleway now passes through the town.
For further information please visit the Whitworth Town Council website.
Waterfoot
In the centre of Rossendale and deep in the valley of the River Irwell, Waterfoot was once the heart of the area's footwear industry. It still boasts a splendid Victorian shopping arcade and is the base for the championship producer of one of Lancashire's best delicacies; black pudding. The Pennine Bridleway drops into the valley at Waterfoot on its route from Rochdale to Burnley.
Goodshaw & Crawshawbooth
From the scenic hilltop village of Goodshaw, a short stroll to the valley bottom through Goodshaw Fold conservation area takes you to Crawshawbooth, one of Rossendale's largest villages. This walk takes you past two gems of Rossendale's religious past, Goodshaw Old Baptist Chapel, built in 1760 and now preserved by English Heritage, and Crawshawbooth Friends Meeting House, built in 1716 and still in use today.
Irwell Vale & Chatterton
Irwell Vale, on the River Irwell, is an excellent example of a traditional Lancashire mill village. It provides a station halt on the East Lancashire Railway and is on the route of the Irwell Sculpture Trail. Chatterton Recreation Ground is the site of Aitken's Mill, associated with the Chatterton Plug Riot of 1826.
Edenfield
Scenic views over the lower Rossendale Valley and the River Irwell to The National Trust's Stubbins Estate lead to Holcombe Village with its famous tower to the memory of Sir Robert Peel. As a quiet but historic village, Edenfield is an ideal base for walking.