Boarshaw Clough – Middleton, Rochdale

Boarshaw Clough is a 6-hectare site of native trees and shrubs with a footpath network, small river system and lodge (Whit Brook that feeds into the River Irk). The site comprises of a mown recreational area, water habitat, semi-mature woodland and wildflower areas.

History

The Clough is a former centre for mining, cloth production and more recently waste disposal. It was landscaped in the 1970s and saved from development in 1995. Nature has now taken over and through careful land management the site is now a valuable green corridor and community asset.

Features

As for what to do at this nature site, there is the unique sculpture trail! (Map shown below).

Boarshaw Clough is used for recreation by the local community, young people, walkers, dog walkers, runners and anglers. The site is also used by local schools for outdoor learning activities.

Volunteers wanted

Updated July 2026

Woodland areas are becoming overgrown, invasive species are spreading fast, access routes are deteriorating. The scale of work needed is greater than available resources, and there is a risk that years of ecological recovery is undone.

Groundwork urgently needs volunteers throughout the year to help with tasks including:

  • Selective thinning and tree removal – Removing overcrowded or poor-quality trees to let light reach the woodland floor, allowing native plants and young trees to thrive.
  • Invasive species control – Removing Himalayan balsam, that outcompete local species, so native habitats can thrive.
  • Deadwood habitat creation – Building log piles and piling standing deadwood to support fungi, insects and small mammals.
  • Path and access maintenance – Clearing vegetation from footpaths and supporting with repairs so that the site remains safe and accessible.
  • Scrub management – Cutting back encroaching scrub to maintain open habitats like grassland and wetland edges.

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS GROUPS ARE WELCOME AT BOARSHAW CLOUGH, WITH A SMALL FEE REQUIRED TO COVER OUR TEAM’S TIME, CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS.

We’d love to host open volunteering events at Boarshaw Clough too, however recently attendance has been very low. If you’re interested in future sessions, please complete the survey below stating the locations and dates where you can volunteer.

Complete survey
Corporate sponsor wanted

The 360m boardwalk at Boarshaw Clough is now reaching it’s end of life. We are looking for support to help build a new boardwalk with costs estimated in the region of £20,000

This includes material donations, which maybe helpful to reduce our costs – please get in touch if you can help.

Contact
Getting to Boarshaw Clough

If you want to use public transport there is the Bus 17 from Manchester to Rochdale Stanycliffe Lane or if you are driving the best place to park is on Boarshaw clough way.

Co-ordinates for the nature site are: 53°33’38.2″N 2°11’17.7″W