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Rochdale Town Hall
Rochdale Town Hall
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
Rochdale's fabulous Grade-I Victorian Gothic town hall is renowned worldwide for its unique and detailed architecture. The building was opened on 27th September 1871 by George Leach Ashworth, then Mayor of Rochdale at a cost of around £150,000. Full tours take place on the first Monday of each month at 2.15pm and last about 2 hours. Short tours take place every Wednesday at 2.15pm and lasts 1 hour.
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The area
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How to get there
- Rochdale Town Centre • 8 min walk
- Rochdale Railway Station • 10 min walk
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224 within 3 miles
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64 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
247 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
64
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Poucant
Manchester, UK98 contributions
Mar 2020
You wouldn't be blamed for driving past this place and never knowing what you missed - Don't. Park free and spend half an hour or so admiring the architecture & windows in a building that, if it were in a major city, would be famous and incur an entry fee. Once you've finished, cross the street to the Flying Horse which has a dozen or more real ales.
Written April 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
michellemollart
Manchester, UK9 contributions
Mar 2020
This is a remarkable building. The features are amazing. Please book a tour before the building is closed for refurbishment. We were lucky enough to get married at the registry office before the lockdown of Covid 19. We then went for a look round this beautiful building as family and friends were not aware of its beauty. We finished with teas and coffees in the Clock tower restaurant which was a lovely experience. This building is incredible and well worth a visit
Written April 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
noeleenf
Rochdale, UK234 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Dec 2019 six couples booked a Christmas event, the Victorian Christmas Dinner Dance. Food excellent. Service high quality. Bar great service reasonable prices. DJ played brilliant tunes all night. All in all a fabulous night out for a very reasonable price. Bring on next years event.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ludwik D
258 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
I stopped in Rochdale on my way to Bury and decided to photograph this famous town hall.
It was covered in scaffolding.
It was Saturday lunchtime and the area around it was like a ghost town, hardly anyone about. This is the town centre. Where is everyone?
The 15 minute walk from the train station to the town centre bus station was depressing.
Most of the shops were shut, closed down, boarded up.
The bright sparks were a few very colourful continental food shops, Polish and Romanian. Near this town hall we have a new modern bus station, shame about the lack of people and the few that were there were overweight chavs.
It was covered in scaffolding.
It was Saturday lunchtime and the area around it was like a ghost town, hardly anyone about. This is the town centre. Where is everyone?
The 15 minute walk from the train station to the town centre bus station was depressing.
Most of the shops were shut, closed down, boarded up.
The bright sparks were a few very colourful continental food shops, Polish and Romanian. Near this town hall we have a new modern bus station, shame about the lack of people and the few that were there were overweight chavs.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gillian C
8 contributions
Jan 2020
Went in for lunch. Ambience superb, decoration restful. Very friendly and efficient staff serving. Didn't wait too long for meal. Meal I had meat pie, my other half green both meals were lovely and well cooked and presented. Value for money
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mrsriley2015
Oldham, UK10 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
We have composed this review about 10 times and deleted every one!
We are finding it hard to describe the first class service we received on every aspect of our wedding, Sonja, and her team, in fact every member of staff went out of their way to make sure every minute detail was planned and fine tuned so both us and our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Our guests had come from all over the country and could not believe we had "hired" such a venue - some compared it to a castle. The food was amazing. The service was amazing and as one guest said in reflection "even the windows in the toilets were amazing"
We wanted real ale - we got real ale of perfection
We wanted a downstairs bar - we got one.... Nothing was too much trouble.
We wish we could do it all again. Thank you so much
Mr & Mrs Riley xx
We are finding it hard to describe the first class service we received on every aspect of our wedding, Sonja, and her team, in fact every member of staff went out of their way to make sure every minute detail was planned and fine tuned so both us and our guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Our guests had come from all over the country and could not believe we had "hired" such a venue - some compared it to a castle. The food was amazing. The service was amazing and as one guest said in reflection "even the windows in the toilets were amazing"
We wanted real ale - we got real ale of perfection
We wanted a downstairs bar - we got one.... Nothing was too much trouble.
We wish we could do it all again. Thank you so much
Mr & Mrs Riley xx
Written July 31, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
allertonlad
Northallerton, UK1,329 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Whilst the Town Hall building itself is extremely eye-catching, a Grade I listed building with some wonderful architecture, some of the staff leave a lot to be desired. Took a look inside and whilst admiring the ceiling, was pounced upon by a nightclub bouncer type security guard, told to leave, and shepherded out. This was a busy Saturday afternoon, with people milling about. and was totally unjustified. An unacceptable way for a 58 year old couple to be treated. Welcome to Rochdale.
Written March 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michele W
Salisbury, England, United Kingdom48 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Our daughter had her wedding ceremony in the main hall - very grand and a wonderful stair case to walk down and photograph. Vaulted ceilings, marble floor and very helpful staff made the ceremony all the more enjoyable. We had some delicious canapes too!
Written July 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2how
Manchester, UK101 contributions
What a absolutely stunning building Rochdale town hall is !! Only to be let down by the rude arrogant and down right unhelpful staff at the bistro !! What a let down this place could be amazing we had come on the fairly new metro link from manchester with some friends over from Greece and had heard that they did afternoon tea so off we went all really looking forward to it well all looking good in this wonderful building then came the bistro with its ever so white walls in this splendid Victorian edifice a little imagination on decor wouldn't go a miss but that was the least of it . We where greeted with well you can't have afternoon tea unless you have booked . When do we need to book the day before the place was empty apart from a couple eating pie&chips there where cakes scones & sandwiches on display we said we had come from manchester on the tram as we had wanted to try afternoon tea well you wasted your time you need to book ! She was just so rude I really hope this isn't the face that Rochdale is portraying to visitors such a shame we won't be back ! We did go on to Manchester and had a wonderful afternoon tea at the splendid Manchester town hall another Waterhouse masterpiece Rochdale please take note I've spoken to a few people since our visit seams we are not the only ones !!
Written May 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
stefandmandy
Preston422 contributions
I was born in Rochdale, and went on a school visit to this building. I was very impressed, it is truley magnificent, and so in the wrong place. If you google it there are some interesting details to be found. However my favorite story (probably an urban myth) is that Hitler, should Germany have won the war, planned to transport the Town Hall, brick by brick, to his Motherland.
Written March 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Judy T
Manchester33 contributions
Hi
Do you cater for Gluten free on your menu
Please
ajw570
Norwich, UK44 contributions
Hi. Although I am not a person of specific diet needs. I was assured by the staff that if you advise them of your needs or allergies, that they will do their best to accommodate you.
You can down load their menu from their website, I hope this is of help to you.
Regards ajw570
Ukmumsy1@googlemail.com
Castleton, UK50 contributions
When is the resturant open and do we to book also iam in a wheel chair thank you
radley4
Canton, TX167 contributions
We were seated without reservations. And I believe it’s only open for lunch although we were there late afternoon. I don’t recall any obstructions but I can’t be sure.
Is it free to go in and see what's inside?
geldern
uk41 contributions
The Town Hall tours cost £4.95 but you can walk into the entrance hall and through to the restaurant without cost.
kaydutton
Manchester, UK4 contributions
How could I see a cafe menu please, and opening times. Thanks
Hello Kay,
The best place to get information is rochdale.gov.uk/townhall. The cafe menu and opening times are under the 'Dine' section.
Thank you.
Rochdale Town Hall - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Rochdale Town Hall
- Rochdale Town Hall is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Rochdale Town Hall:
- (0.07 mi) The Flying Horse Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Broadfield Park Hotel
- (1.06 mi) Travelodge Rochdale
- (1.48 mi) The Royal Toby Hotel
- (9.88 mi) Stock Exchange Hotel
- Restaurants near Rochdale Town Hall:
- (0.00 mi) Rochdale Town Hall
- (0.03 mi) Clock Tower Dining Room
- (0.04 mi) The Medicine Tap
- (0.11 mi) La Mancha
- (0.06 mi) Flying Horse - Food