Metropolitan district in England
| Coordinates: | 53.61, -2.16 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | SD 89 12 |
The Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale sits in Greater Manchester, to the north‑east of Manchester. It covers the town of Rochdale itself and neighbouring centres such as Heywood, Middleton, Littleborough, Milnrow, Wardle and Whitworth. Long associated with textile manufacture, the area was a powerhouse of cotton mills in the 19th century and is widely known as the birthplace of the co‑operative movement when the Rochdale Pioneers established the first successful consumer co‑op in 1844.
Geographically the borough stretches from urban valleys along the River Roch and the Rochdale Canal out to the moorland of the South Pennines, with popular outdoor spots such as Hollingworth Lake. Its ornate Victorian Rochdale Town Hall and cultural hub Touchstones Rochdale reflect a lively civic life, while the modern economy mixes retail, light industry and business parks with ongoing regeneration and a socially diverse population rooted in a strong cooperative heritage.