New heritage trail to uncover Middleton’s fascinating past

A new heritage trail celebrating Middleton’s rich history is set to launch as part of the national Heritage Open Days celebration this September.

The trail covers 24 fascinating sites across the area, including the Old Grammar School, Long Street Methodist Church and the Grade I-listed St Leonard’s Church, which includes Saxon-era features.

Described in a major architectural guide as a town of ‘considerable individuality, historically important and more distinguished than most in its architecture’, Middleton’s sights have a proud history, with links to radical reformers, the famous Arts and Crafts movement, and even an LS Lowry painting.

Local volunteers, architects, councillors and council staff have carefully selected the sites to showcase the best of the area.

Places to discover include the Ye Olde Boar’s Head. Likely dating from the 16th century, the pub later became a favoured drinking establishment of the late Middleton political reformer, Sam Bamford.

Also included on the trail is St Leonard’s Church, the oldest original church in the Manchester Diocese, and a number of buildings designed by the late, Middleton born architect, Edgar Wood, who was one of the most well-known champions of the famous Arts and Crafts style.

The trail has been broken down into three separate walks and guided walks of these smaller trails will be taking place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September.

Led by a mixture of volunteers and trained tour guides, the walks will take place at the following locations.

Saturday 14 September: 10:30am to 12:30pm (red route – Middleton’s Golden Cluster)

Meeting point – Car park by St Leonard’s Church, St Leonard’s Square, M24 6DJ

This walk will take in Middleton’s Golden Cluster of architecture and history, including Middleton’s oldest church and architectural gems designed by Edgar Wood. Walkers can find out more about the town’s links to the Jacobite rebellion and the Peterloo Massacre as part of the trail.

Saturday 14 September  - 2pm to 4pm (green route - Manchester Old Road and Alkrington Woods)

Meeting point – Moonraker Sculpture in Middleton Gardens, M24 4DF

This walk will take visitors from Middleton town centre, through Middleton’s parks and green spaces and onto beautiful late 19th century suburbs and stunning Palladian architecture.

Sunday 15 September 2024 -10:30am to 1pm (red route – golden cluster and Blue route – Middleton Town Centre and Market Place)

Start point – Car park by St Leonard’s Church, St Leonard’s Square, M24 6DF

In addition to the highlights of the Golden Cluster, this route will take history buffs around Middleton’s mills and town centre. Visitors will find out more about Middleton’s social history and what it would have been like to live and work in Middleton during the industrial revolution.

 

 

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and cooperation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “As someone who knows Middleton extremely well, I’m still surprised and awed by the sheer amount of history we have here. This trail, which has been carefully put together with the support of the community who are so passionate about their area, will give people a fascinating insight into this important place, which has so many stories to uncover.

“And as Heritage Open Days is a celebration of our country’s wonderful heritage, it’s a fantastic time to launch this new trail. I would love to see people coming along and find out more about Middleton’s past.”

The development of the trail has been supported by Rochdale Borough Council’s Middleton Township committee, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) and HPA Architects.

It is part of the council’s wider Middleton masterplan, which aims to further regenerate the area, with proposals including major investments into transport infrastructure and the redevelopment of key areas in and around the town centre including Eastway and Warwick Mill.

Anyone who is unable to make the walks but is interested in doing the trail in their own time can pick up a copy of the trail map at locations around Middleton, including Middleton library. An online version of the trail will also be available on the Visit Rochdale website.