Healey Dell Nature Reserve in Rochdale has been named one of the North of England's top 10 hidden gems, according to a new study by car rental experts SICT. The reserve ranked eighth on the list, with an overall score of 30.83 out of 100.
What makes Healey Dell special
Healey Dell is located just two miles from Rochdale town centre and follows the River Spodden as it flows through woodland. The reserve features the remains of old mills, waterfalls, a viaduct, and several stone bridges crossing the river.
One of its unusual landmarks is the Fairies Chapel, a rocky gorge with a waterfall. The name comes from a chapel-like rock formation that was damaged by floods in the 1800s.
History and current use
The disused Rochdale to Bacup railway line crossed through the reserve. It was built in 1867 and operated until 1949, before being used for coal trains until the 1960s.
Today the railway line forms part of the National Cycle Network, and the reserve is popular with cyclists and walkers. The Rochdale Way and Pennine Bridleway pass through the reserve, offering routes to explore the surrounding moorland.
Other top hidden gems
Other locations in the top ten close to Greater Manchester include Wycoller Country Park in Lancashire, which ranked sixth, and Hardcastle Crags in West Yorkshire.
Anna Golding, Head of Marketing & PR at SIXT, said: "One of the main things that makes the North of England such an ideal place for a staycation is how much variety you can pack into one trip. You don't have to travel far to experience something completely different, whether that's walking along a sweeping coastline, exploring peaceful woodland, or discovering a hidden waterfall in the hills."
She added: "The North has much more to offer than the destinations that appear in every travel guide. Countless hidden gems offer the same sense of escape, often without the crowds, and they're exactly the kind of places that make you want to come back and explore more."
The top ten hidden gems in the North are: Wasdale Emerald Pool in Cumbria, Howick Bathing House in Northumberland, Cauldron Snout Waterfall in County Durham, Wyming Brook Nature Reserve in South Yorkshire, Spurn Point in East Riding of Yorkshire, Wycoller Country Park in Lancashire, Aysgarth Falls Upper Falls Pools in North Yorkshire, Healey Dell Nature Reserve in Greater Manchester, St Mary's Lighthouse in Tyne and Wear, and Hardcastle Crags in West Yorkshire.
