Places of Interest
The stunning countryside and broad range of outdoor pursuits draw people to Littleborough. Nearby Hollingworth Lake has a water sports centre offering sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. There are plenty of walks around the lake or in the neighbouring countryside. You can pick up the Pennine way just three miles north of Littleborough.
Blackstone Edge in particular offers sweeping views and excellent walking trails in the area. On another note, Hare Hill Park is has ample space for recreation, with a children’s playground and a charming walled garden to relax in.
Other attractions include Littleborough History Centre which delves into the local textile industry history and several wartime stories. Equally, the 19th century Summit Tunnel is a walkable route which takes you through what was once the world’s longest railway tunnel.
The Pennine Bridleway can be found in Littleborough. As the country’s first National Trail, it runs from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk on the Scottish border and is 265 miles long in total. The route can be joined at Watergrove Reservoir, near Littleborough, where there are spectacular views across the entire area.
Local Schools
There are two primary schools in Littleborough itself: Holy Trinity CE Primary School and St Mary’s RC Primary School. There are many other schools if you want to go a little further afield.
High-school aged children tend to head to Rochdale where there are several secondary schools and two further education colleges (Rochdale Sixth-Form College and Hopwood Hall College).
Beachhouse School in Rochdale offers a private-sector education for children aged 2 to 16.
If you’re looking for a list of schools in the broader area, then it’s a good idea to take a look at this guide from the local council
Transport Links
Littleborough has a railway station in the town centre with trains to Manchester in one direction, and Leeds and beyond in the other. Littleborough is also well-provided with buses that connect all districts in the Rochdale area.
The town is situated on the A58 towards Halifax to the east and Rochdale to the west.
Here’s a breakdown of the transport options available:
- By Road: Littleborough itself has a network of local roads. The main route connecting Littleborough to surrounding towns is the A58. This road provides access to Rochdale (around a 15-minute drive) and onto the M62 motorway for further connections. Manchester city centre is approximately a 45-minute drive via the A58 and M60.
- By Bus: Regular bus services operate in Littleborough, with routes connecting you to nearby towns like Rochdale and Todmorden. The 456 and 458 buses run frequently and provide access to Rochdale town centre, with journey times around 30 minutes.
- By Train: Littleborough does not have its own train station. However, Rochdale station is a short drive or bus journey away, offering connections to Manchester and other major cities across the north of England.
- Cycling: Littleborough’s scenic setting makes it a lovely place to explore by bike. While there aren’t extensive dedicated cycle paths, the quieter roads around the town are suitable for cycling, and some busier routes have designated cycle lanes.
- Walking: Littleborough is a very walkable town, with many amenities within easy reach. Enjoy exploring the shops, cafes, and parks on foot, or take a stroll along the Rochdale Canal for a relaxing break.
- Nearest Airport: Manchester Airport (MAN) is the closest major airport, approximately a 45-minute drive away via the M60 motorway.
Travel times at a glance:
- Rochdale: 15 minutes by car, 30 minutes by bus
- Manchester: 45 minutes by car
- Todmorden: 20 minutes by car
Find out more about travel in Littleborough and beyond here.
Shops & Amenities
There has been an influx of independent businesses and local workshops to Littleborough. There are local gift shops, ice-cream parlours, cafés and restaurants as well as butchers and greengrocers selling locally sourced products.
There is a Sainsbury’s Local, Lidl and Co-op in the town. For bigger supermarkets, residents head to nearby Rochdale.
For sporty types, Littleborough has a cricket club and a golf course.
Property In Littleborough
Littleborough features an interesting mix of property types, from traditional stone-built terraces dating back to the industrial era to newer family homes. The older parts of town showcase classic Yorkshire stone properties, particularly around Church Street and Hare Hill Road. Several Victorian and Edwardian villas stand proudly in the more elevated areas, offering excellent views across the surrounding countryside.
Some of Littleborough’s most desirable properties can be found in the areas around Hollingworth Lake, particularly on Lake Bank and along Blackstone Edge Old Road. These locations feature both period properties and more modern detached homes, many with panoramic views. The streets around Central Estate offer good quality semi-detached properties, while areas such as Caldermoor contain characterful cottages.
Development in Littleborough: Several small-scale residential developments have been completed recently, including new builds around Calderbrook Road. Plans are under consideration for additional housing developments, though these are being carefully managed to maintain the area’s character and green spaces.
Property prices: The average price for property in Littleborough currently stands at £219k. Detached homes typically sell for around £361k, while semi-detached properties average £215k. Terraced houses, which make up a significant portion of the local housing stock, sell for approximately £164k, and flats average £130k.
Find out more about house pricing here.
