Burnley & Rossendale Accommodation

Rossendale sheep country: take care with dogs on leads, particularly in lambing season

The Cowpe Ridge in Cowpe near Waterfoot. Finish the ridge walk with a drink in the Buck Inn, Cowpe

Rossendale is famous in the Northwest for its dry ski slope

The East Lancs Railway ends at Rawtenstall: don't miss this scenic journey through the Rossendale countryside.

Rawtenstall Rossendale East Lancs Railway Bacup River Irwell Lancashire Tourist Information

Beautiful Rossendale - have you discovered the secret yet? The radical history, the rugged countryside without the crowds along the Rossendale Way and now the fairly new Mary Towneley Loop, and Rawtenstall designer shopping with sales (well worth a rummage!). Move out into some of the surrounding villages such as Crawshawbooth and Bacup and many old buildings - religious and industrial remain as reminders of it's history. Check out the Friends Meeting House in Crawshawbooth or Goodshaw Old Baptist Chapel. Rossendale was an area up in arms at the introduction of the Power Loom in the 1820s - quite a few machines broken here!! Industrial heritage includes the industries of textiles, quarrying, mining and footwear.

As well as the architecture, including the husk of Ilex Mill, there's the ancient Weavers' Cottage loom shop, built in the 18th century. Pop into Fitzpatricks on Bank Street, Rawtenstall for a glass of Sarsaparilla in one of the last remaining temperance bars!

Rossendale & the Rossendale Way

Rossendale is perfect for walkers. The shape and form of the countryside is mostly rugged moor land. Valleys are deep-cut by streams and the River Irwell. There are many walks to explore in Rossendale, with an excellent footpath network - see Rawtenstall Tourist Information Point for the guided walks brochure.

Check out the Rossendale Ramblers' website - lots of jolly jaunts!

See also the Irwell Sculpture Trail which runs through Rossendale.

Rossendale Attractions Including the Helmshore Textile Museum

Helmshore Textile Museum, Holcombe Road, Helmshore, Rossendale, Lancashire BB4 4NP - This fabulous journey into textile history is set in two old mill sites - Higher Mill (built in 1789) and Whitaker's Mill, a stone built 19th century mill. History comes alive with demonstrations on looms, informative guides often in costume, and many examples of textile machinery from the industrial revolution. There's an enormous working waterwheel and more. Check out the 'bringing history alive' website, which links museums in Lancashire which all explore the history of industry in the area. www.bringinghistoryalive.co.uk

The Rossendale Museum and Whitaker Park, Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall BB4 7NW, FREE ENTRANCE, T: 01706 244682

Ski Rossendale, Haslingden Old Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancs BB4 8RR, T: 01706 226457 - Rossendale ski centre is open all year round. You can learn to ski here. Open to snowboarding as well, with a new Snowflex surface on two slopes. Cafe and ski supply shop on-site. www.ski-rossendale.co.uk

Check out the Bacup Trail with over 60 listed buildings Bacup.

Mary Luty of Rossendale

'As I had some first hand knowledge of the Trade Union and Labour Movement in Britain, I soon became 'involved' in such work in New Zealand. But I determined to carry out my plan of seeing the working and living conditions in various parts of the country, as well as meeting people. I have always found far more interest in having contact with people, rather than looking on stones and mortar however cunningly they may be piled''. (p.60, 'My Life has Sparkled', Mary Luty).

Mary Luty was born and brought up in Rossendale - her auto-biography 'My Life has Sparkled' is held in Rawtenstall Library. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Mary was working as an organiser in the Woollen Textile Workers Union, mostly in Yorkshire and focusing on the organisation of women within the industry. She also became actively involved in the Women's Suffrage Movement, speaking often and helping other radical suffragists in Lancashire and Yorkshire to organise predominantly textile women workers. In the 1920s Mary decided that she would travel to New Zealand and Australia alone. She tapped into socialist networks and worked her way around the two countries. Her auto-biography has been somewhat neglected, perhaps because she pays less attention in it to her organising work. She focused on her travelling because she felt this to be her greatest achievement - and indeed it was great. She had a plan to mix with as many people as possible, to see different working and living conditions and to enjoy her freedom after spending many years caring for her mother.

Rossendale Tourist Information Centre, 41-45 Kay Street, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancs BB4 7LS, T: 01706 244678, www.rossendale.gov.uk

The Rossendale Bike Show

At the end of September every year Rawtenstall in Rossendale hosts one of the biggest bike shows in the whole of Europe. Check out the website for an update on this year's event - not to be missed next year. There's a real community and carnival atmosphere to this bike show, with lots of face-painting, rides and the like for the kids, plus 1000s of bikes on show and the obligatory 'Wall of Death' stunt show. This year and estimated 60,000 people came to the show on 21st September 2003.

Even if you're not a bike lover - come for the atmosphere, the many stands and rides and entertainments - it's simply brilliant and set in the stunning Rossendale valley, crammed with great pubs and plenty of accommodation. www.rossendale-bikeshow.co.uk For Rossendale Bike Show T shirts see www.screenhaus.co.uk

Rossendale Strongman Competition: This competition in Rossendale, usually held every July, is fast becoming a big name in the strongman competition circuit, attracting increasingly big names. Everyone is welcome to come and look on as men lift cars and logs and pull trucks - see the sweat dripping off, grrrrrrr - they really do work it hard these blokes! Again there's a great community and carnival atmosphere with stands, food and drink on hand set again in the beautiful Rossendale Valley. Don't miss it!

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