Haslingden

Haslingden means ‘valley of the hazels’ but the trees have now given way to an impressive and very contemporary, Panopticon sculpture called Halo. Believe it or not Haslingden was home to the first written IQ test!

Located at Top O’ Slate, this 18 metre, lattice steel-work sculpture, which glows in the dark, looks like it’s just landed from outer space! A walk up to the Halo is a great way to commence your visit to the town of Haslingden and on a clear day you can see the city of Manchester and the hills of North Wales.

From Halo you can follow The Shoe Trail which takes you to the East Lancashire Railway at Rawtenstall (just follow the clay shoes).

Stock up on delicious hand raised pies at Cissy Greens pie shop on Deardengate, great for picnics or to take home for you and your foodie friends. Haslingden Market on Blackburn Road, has an interesting mix of stalls selling fresh produce, pet accessories, cooked meats, greeting cards and more.

Haslingden is also home to the Real Lancashire Black Pudding Company, famous for its award winning black puddings. These ‘black beauties’ are readily available in butcher’s shops throughout Rossendale and at the farmers’ market.

Winfield’s Megastore at Haslingden, is mill shopping at its best. Located at Hazel Mill, Blackburn Road, you’ll find bargain buys on: tents, camping equipment, ski-wear, work-wear, rucksacks, luggage, fashion clothes, shoes, plus designer wellies and a whole host of other items; it’s definitely well worth a visit.

With its new club house, Rossendale Golf Club is one of the premier golfing locations in East Lancashire. Visitors are invited to try out this 18-hole, golf course with beautiful views of the surrounding Rossendale hills, situated just on the fringes of Haslingden at Ewood Lane Head.

Look out for the Commemorative Blue Plaques in and around Haslingden:

1. Sykeside House, commemorating that Alan Rawsthorne, the famous composer, lived there.

2. The old Wesleyan school (now Haslingden medical centre site) where the first written IQ test was taken.

3. Haslingden Library, to commemorate Michael Davit t, the Irish patriot who lived in the town for many years.

4. Haslingden’s Memorial Garden, for the war memorial unveiled by Lord Derby.

5. The New Inn (now the Mary Hindle Resource Centre) for the trials of the power loom rioters, some were sentenced to hard labour in Australia.

6. Coal Hey House, weaver’s cottage, to mark the checks and ginghams of the Watts family.

7. The Commercial Hotel, because Sir Winston Churchill stayed there on 27th September 1900.

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