Last Updated on 27 January 2025 by Colette
Hollingworth Lake is a 130-acre reservoir at Smithy Bridge, in Littleborough, Greater Manchester and is a popular route for families, dog walks and mountain bikes.
The flat, 2.5 mile loop around the lake is part tarmacked and part compacted mud / gravel meaning it’s fairly pushchair friendly and you can definitely get a bike around it but it isn’t necessarily very clean on a wet autumn day!
The wind can really whip across the lake on a blowy day so do bear that in mind and wrap up warm if it’s a bit windy, we’ve been caught out by this before and it made what should have been quite a relaxing walk, a lot harder than we might have liked!
You’ll find plenty of benches dotted around Hollingworth Lake to stop for a breather and to take in the view – and there really is some stunning scenery on this walk.
There is a small play area just under half way round the lake – dogs are not allowed in the play area. There is also a play area next to the Visitor’s Centre though we’ve not investigated this so I don’t know what it’s like!
There are a number of options for refreshments around Hollingworth Lake: The Beach pub is a Greene King Pub on the edge of the lake which offers up a well priced, half decent carvery. The Olive & Pickle is currently running a takeaway service and looks to be doing a roaring trade – we saw lots of people taking hot drinks around the lake with them. Next door is Thomas’s chip shop and round the far side of the lake there is The Pavilion Café which is also running a take away service at present.
There are public toilets at Lake Bank, Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre (these are currently closed) and the Pavilion Café.
Parking for Hollingworth Lake
There are a couple of options for parking for Hollingworth Lake. There is a relatively small Pay & Display car park at Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre (OL15 0DQ) as well as a 250 spaces at Hollingworth Lake Country Park car park (OL15 0AQ). Both car parks are cash only and are charged between £1 for up to 2 hours and £5 for over 6 hours.
Have a read of these posts next:
Our favourite walks in Greater Manchester
Where to go paddle boarding near Manchester
The best hiking shoes for kids
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