Rochdale Town Hall finally threw open the doors to the public for the first time this year, following a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
And now, several months later, the magnificent old building has a new string to its bow – a proper Northern restaurant tucked into a corner of its Grade I-listed frame.
This is The Martlet, a sophisticated but thoroughly friendly and approachable new restaurant led by award-winning chef Darren Parkinson, who grew up locally in Heywood and has earned multiple AA rosettes and accolades throughout his career across the UK and northern France.
He’s been joined by Great British Menu star Tristan Welch to create the smart menu packed with classic northern dishes, sourced locally, like Jackson’s rag pudding, and bacon chop with Bury Black Pudding and Denshaw egg.
You’ll find scotch eggs, bacon baps, sticky toffee pudding and plenty of other beloved British dishes here in this much-anticipated restaurant.
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Bacon chop crispy at The Martlet at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: The Manc GroupInside The Martlet at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: The Manc GroupPuddings at The Martlet at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: The Manc Group
At The Martlet, you’ll see sausage rolls and soup with a sandwich nudging up against Turkish eggs and pickled beetroot salads.
It feels special without being pompous, and on a bleak and rainy Tuesday afternoon for our visit it was nicely busy with locals chatting over lunch and a glass of wine.
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And the space has been restored beautifully, painted in rich reds and soft blues and filled with smart wooden and leather furniture.
The Martlet is proud of its heritage and its location – even the artwork on the walls, at first glance modern drawings, are actually replicas of the original tiles found in the Rochdale Town Hall.
The Martlet
Rochdale’s newest restaurant is named after a mythical bird, one which is featured in imagery of the town over the years and even on the borough’s coat of arms.
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With a cafe feel during the afternoons and a more refined evening menu available come nightfall, there’s a lot to love and a lot of reasons to visit.
So what are you waiting for?
The Martlet is open at Rochdale Town Hall now – you can see more HERE.
Spooktacular Halloween trail to return to National Trust site Quarry Bank
Daisy Jackson
A Halloween trail is set to return to Quarry Bank Mill this autumn for one of the region’s most hauntingly beautiful seasonal events.
The National Trust site is a former working mill and one of the country’s finest industrial buildings – but as night falls and the shadows lengthen, a haunting will begin…
This year’s Halloween at Quarry Bank will again feature spooky light installations, a mesmerising laser garden, and a thrilling fire show, as well as live performances and seasonal food and drink.
Returning for a second year, Halloween at Quarry Bank will be an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Fog will swirl through the paths around the grounds, as glowing demon eyes watch over passers-by and giant skeletons loom over twisted trees.
If you’re brave enough, the trail then heads inside the mill itself, where creaking and clanking sounds of its industrial past hint at something a little more haunted.
Credit: Andrew Ogilvy PhotographyCredit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
As you wander the trail, you’ll pass installations like glowing fire spheres and catacombs echoing with whispers from the past, plus plenty more surprises waiting in the shadows.
Then you can refuel with ‘bewitched burgers and freaky fries’, plus hot toddys and decadent hot chocolates.
You can even toast a marshmallow over an open fire.
Halloween at Quarry Bank is designed for families, couples, and groups of friends alike, and attracts visitors from all over Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Entry to the trail is on a timed slot system – tickets are on sale now HERE.
Inside the brand-new rental houses at Bolton’s landmark £35m development, Deansgate Gardens
Daisy Jackson
The first residents are in, and the launch of Deansgate Gardens – a landmark £35m development in Bolton town centre – is live.
This impressive new development has brought 167 high-quality rental homes to Bolton, creating a residential neighbourhood that features rooftop terraces, gardens, and stunning communal spaces.
The homes on Deansgate, Bolton have been built specifically for renters, with spacious layouts in an ideal location just a two-minute walk from Bolton Town Hall and a short commute to Manchester.
And, unusually for new rental developments, it’s not all about apartments here (though there are beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments with rooftop gardens available).
It’s also somewhere you can rent two-bedroom townhouses, and have your very own yard.
Every home is built with energy efficiency in mind, with heat pumps and enhanced insulation, plus rooftop solar panels on selected homes, keeping those pesky bills down.
This pet-friendly development comes from developer Placefirst, and is a key moment in the wider £1bn regeneration masterplan for Bolton.
Inside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonInside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonA spacious bedroomThe rooftop terraceView from the rooftop terrace
Deansgate Gardens is located just opposite the former Beales department store, connected by the train station, bus interchange, and town centre within walking distance.
These stylish new homes are built around a central square and communal courtyards. The result? Somewhere residents can relax, socialise, and connect.
There’s even a dedicated Resident Service Manager and 24/7 maintenance support for peace of mind.
And just a short walk away you’ll find parks like Queen’s Park, plus beautiful routes along the River Croal.
Ready to make these houses your home? Book in for a tour around Deansgate Gardens today HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
26th October 2024 
