Enjoy the heritage of the Golden Cluster

The Old Grammar School

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There’s a great opportunity to visit one of the borough’s most historic areas next month as all four buildings that make up Middleton’s famous Golden Cluster offer free guided tours.

The project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Rochdale Borough Council through the Edgar Wood & Middleton Heritage Initiative. As well as conserving Middleton's important historic buildings, the Initiative runs events like this to help people learn about their heritage.

Local people and visitors alike can visit St Leonard’s, the oldest church in Greater Manchester and the site of the country’s oldest war memorial, and the Old Grammar School which was founded during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. There will also be the chance to tour England’s first art nouveau church, Long Street Methodist Church, and marvel at its inspiring architecture designed by Edgar Woods, and visit Ye Old Boar’s Head, a timber framed pub dating back to the 16th Century.

As in previous years, knowledgeable local guides will be on hand at St Leonard's Church, The Edgar Wood Centre and the Old Grammar School on Tuesday and Friday afternoons throughout September to give tours and answer questions.

New for this year are tours of Ye Olde Boar's Head at 11.30am on Tuesdays and Fridays, where you can also enjoy lunch in this historic half-timbered pub before visiting the other buildings in the Cluster.

Councillor Jacqueline Beswick, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The Golden Cluster is a fabulous part of the borough’s heritage and I hope as many people as possible will take the chance to visit in the coming weeks.

“Each of the buildings are well worth a visit in their own right for the rich sense of history they evoke and so having all four in such close proximity right on our doorstep is a wonderful thing.”

The Golden Cluster buildings are just some of over 30 interesting and historic sites within the borough which will be opening their doors free of charge between 6-9 September as part of the national Heritage Open Days project.

For a brochure contact Rochdale Visitor Information Centre on 01706 924 928 or email tic@link4life.org

To find out more about Heritage Open Days please visit Rochdale Online Events