Hollingworth Lake
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- For the abandoned former reservoir in Longdendale, see Hollingworth Reservoir.
Hollingworth Lake is the only lake within the district of Littleborough, in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, although technically, it is located in Hollingworth; hence the name Hollingworth Lake. The lake covers an area of 130 acres and the path around it originally measured two-and-a-half miles, beneath the cold waters was the old hamlet of Hollingworth. The lake is still used for recreational purposes, and is classed as a national trust due to a nearby wildlife sanctuary. The lake was man-made in 1801 to supply water to the Rochdale Canal.
The lake boasts many watersports such as canoeing, swimming, rafting, rowing and fishing. Visitors can also take trips across the lake on the launch 'The Lady Alice'. The scenic walk around the lake is two and a half miles long and passes by a nature reserve with a bird hide. The lake is teeming with wildlife and is often used as a means of adventure activities for children, whereby they can catch various pond life.
To the East of the lake, a visitor's centre showcases children's artwork from around the area, and also displays things that have been found in the lake. Hollingworth Lake has even been used as a practice for those training to cross the English Channel to France. The children's play area has a sign on it, proclaiming that Captain Matthew Webb swam in the lake, practising every week.
