Tandle Hill Countryside Centre, Tandle Hill Road, Royton, Oldham.
OL2 5UX.
Telephone 0161 627 2608

Welcome to Tandle Hill

Tandle Hill Country Park is a 110 acre site which offers a mixture of open grasslands, wonderful mature beech woodlands and superb panoramic views across the Pennine Hills, the Manchester Plain and beyond.

The Hilly nature of the park makes it possible to enjoy a variety of walks, and the links with other countryside areas means that a great day out can be had by all.

Other facilities available include a permanent orienteering course, picnic areas and a countryside centre with a café which is open weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. Oldham Countryside Service also runs many different events at the centre, check out the events leaflet to find out what's happening.

Wildlife

Tandle Hill has much to offer wildlife enthusiasts all year round, from the yellow carpet of daffodils in spring to the fantastic russet and red hues of the beech in autumn. Although the mature beech trees predominate in many areas, in contrast there is a coniferous woodland area around the edge of the park. There are also several areas of newly planted woodland which provide a rich range of woodland tree species. The Park is home to a wide variety of animals, birds and insects, look out for owls and woodpeckers in the mature woodland. The grassland areas, as well as providing a home for thousands of insects and other invertebrates, support a population of small mammals such as mice and voles making this a favourite hunting ground for kestrels and foxes. Tandle Hill is renowned for the fungi, toadstools and mushrooms which provide a rich display in the autumn months.

History

The name Tandle Hill means "fire hill". This is very appropriate as Tandle Hill was the venue of many fiery political meetings during the early nineteenth century, connected with the Peterloo Massacre at Peter Fields, Manchester in 1819. Local radicals used to practice marching and drilling here and eventually the beech woodland was planted to prevent this. Tandle Hill was then used as a hunting park as part of the Thornham Estate.

Tandle Hill was donated to the people of Royton by the late Norris Bradbury Esq., JP, as a peace offering after the 1914-18 war and was officially opened on 6th September 1919 "So the park can be used for people's enjoyment and freedom forever". A granite stone block can be found near to the original entrance to the park, near Oozewood Road which commemorates this. The war memorial for Royton was erected here after the First World War, to commemorate local men who lost their lives. Tandle Hill was formally designated a country park on 1st July 1971 and was one of the first such parks in the UK.

Recreation

Activities enjoyed at include walking, picnicking, orienteering, bird watching, jogging, kite flying. Dog walking, cycling and there is a children's play area.

Tandle Hill offers recreation for different abilities and ages, varying from short trails around the park, to longer treks linking other areas such as the Irk Valley, Crompton Moor and the Oldham Way trail. There is a dog walk where owners may allow their dogs to be off a lead.

The Thornham Cycle Trail passes through the park and offers a route on well made surfaces. Cyclists are asked to be considerate of walkers and they should cycle slowly through the park as it is often very busy.

The orienteering course offers a challenge. Maps can be bought from the centre and other Countryside Centres around Oldham.

Two way marked trails can be followed around the park. Yellow Trail - takes about 30-45 minutes - follows well surfaced footpaths and is suitable for pushchairs. Red Trail - this route is quite hilly and will take about 1-1.5 hours. The route is not suitable for pushchairs.

Tandle Hill Centre

This new centre was opened in April 1994. There are two rangers based here who look after Tandle Hill and many other countryside areas. They also run events and look after school and other group visits.

In the centre you can find leaflets, information and changing displays on the local area, countryside and wildlife. There are public toilets and a café open at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays. The children's play area in front of the centre is very popular all year round.

How to Find Us

By Foot - using public footpaths entering the park by access points indicated on the map.
By Car - entrance to the car park at the end of Tandle Hill Road, off Rochdale Road A671.
By Bus - local routes 24, 400, 409, 410 and 413. Nearest bus stop on Rochdale Road, 10 minutes walk. Please phone GMPTE on 0161 228 7811 for further details.
By Train - nearest station - Shaw 2 miles away