Town Hall virtual tour

Photo: Journeaux

Rochdale Town Hall Grand Staircase

Rochdale Town Hall, renowned worldwide for its unique architecture, is hoping to get more visitors to the Grade 1 Victorian Gothic Masterpiece after launching a new on-line virtual tour of the attraction.

Via Google Maps or the council’s website you can now take a ‘walk’ around the hall from the comfort of your computer. The new tour takes virtual reality to a new dimension, covering the Great Hall, Exchange, Chamber, staircase and other rooms. Special cameras have been used to allow internet users to simulate walking around the building.

Dorothy Johnstone, Town Hall Manager and secretary of the ‘Friends of Rochdale Town Hall’, said Rochdale is one of the first town halls in the country to be using the technology:

“Lots of people are interested in coming to see the town hall and this gives them a great preview. Hopefully more will take the tour online and then be inspired to call in and see us when they are in the area. The building is a real gem, people are always amazed by its splendour, and fascinated by its history and its links to the wool and cotton industry.”

As one of the finest buildings of its kind, the hall and the adjacent landscaped gardens are a popular location for weddings, television filming, conferences and corporate events.

Last year Rochdale Town Hall achieved Visit England’s prestigious ‘Quality Assured Visitor Attraction’ award.