Places of Interest
You can explore Milnrow’s industrial heritage at the Ellenroad Steam Museum in neighbouring Newhey. The museum is an old mill that still has a working steam engine.
Milnrow Memorial Park opened in 1952 on the site of Cliffe House. The park is a combination of landscaped gardens and woodland, which provide a home to local wildlife. Facilities include a play area and skatepark.
You can also explore Milnrow Parish Church’s medieval history, stroll along the historic Rochdale Canal, visit Milnrow Cricket Club (established 1856), or visit the sprawling Heaton Park with it’s many events, play areas, small lakes and wide open green spaces.
Local Schools
Milnrow has two primary schools; Crossgates Primary School and Milnrow Parish Church of England Primary School.
The local secondary school is Hollingworth Academy which takes children aged 11 to 16. The school was recently rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. There are two further education colleges in Rochdale (Rochdale Sixth-Form College and Hopwood Hall College) and a choice of other secondary schools.
At the same time, if you want a comprehensive list of schools in Milnrow, you can check out the government’s handy list which will run you through the details.
Transport Links
Located on junction 21 of the M62, Milnrow has excellent transport links by car. It also sits on the A644, offering direct access to Rochdale (in 10 mins) and Manchester (in about 25 mins).
Regular bus services connect to both Bury (20 mins) and Bolton (30 mins). Milnrow Train Station provides regular and direct trains to Manchester Victoria (25 mins), Leeds (1 hr) and many other places across the country.
Metrolink trams run from Milnrow to Rochdale, where trains run regularly to Manchester Victoria (15-20 minute journey time). Rochdale station also has direct trains to Leeds, Blackburn and Liverpool.
Shops & Amenities
The shops are mainly situated on Dale Street Milnrow and Newhay Road where there are many independent shops, restaurants and cafés catering for everyday needs. There is a co-op and an Aldi in the town for grocery shopping.
Milnrow contains both Tesco and Lidl supermarkets, with independent shops on Market Street. The Rochdale Exchange shopping centre is about 10 minutes away, offering a large assortment of well-known shops. Dining options include The Milnrow Ale House (gastropub), The Curry Hut (Indian), and Bella Napoli (Italian). Local amenities also include Milnrow Medical Centre and Rochdale Infirmary.
Nearby, Rochdale has a more significant shopping centre with high street shops and a weekly outdoor market.
Useful to Know
There are two conservation areas in Milnrow, both near Butterworth Hall. They include properties on and around Charles Lane, New Street and Newhay Road. Milnrow Park and the Rochdale Canal offer attractive green spaces for recreation and walks. Nearby, Hollingworth Lake and Healey Dell Nature Reserve provide additional outdoor activity options.
If you buy a property in a conservation area you may need to apply for special planning permission before making any changes to your home. You may also be entitled to financial assistance for the upkeep of the building. However, compared to Manchester and other large cities, Milnrow offers a lower cost of living.
The population of Milnrow is approximately 13,000. The town is in postcode district OL16.
Location & History
Milnrow is a small town in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale west of Littleborough. The town lies east of Rochdale, adjacent to junction 21 of the M62. Milnrow has a long history but remained a rural farming area with a small population until the arrival of the woollen trade in the 17th century.
Like many local towns, the industry in Milnrow was centred on wool and textiles. While the mills have long since closed, and Milnrow has become a suburb of Rochdale, the area has retained its unique character. Several weavers’ cottages have survived and are now listed buildings, and the local Ellenroad Museum still has a working steam mill engine.
