Hollingworth Lake

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Hollingworth Lake
image_lake = Hollingworth lake.jpg
caption_lake = Hollingworth Lake as seen from the north shore
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location = Littleborough, Greater Manchester
coords = coord|53|37|N|2|06|W|region:GB_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
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inflow = Longden End Brook
outflow = Hollingworth Brook
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basin_countries = England
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Hollingworth Lake is a lake in Littleborough, in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. As its name suggests, is situated in the locality named Hollingworth.

The lake covers an area of convert|130|acre|km2 and the path around it originally measured two-and-a-half miles. Beneath the cold waters was the old hamlet of Hollingworth. The lake is still used for recreational purposes, and is classed as a national trust due to a nearby wildlife sanctuary. The lake was completed in 1804 to supply water to the Rochdale Canal, because local mill owners feared the canal would take water from the rivers and streams that powered them.

The lake boasts many watersports such as sailing, canoeing, swimming, rafting, rowing and fishing. Since 1989 Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre has offered quality tuition in outdoor activities, including kayaking, canoeing, power boating and sailing. This provision has been available to schools, youth groups and the general public, continuing the proud tradition of water based activities on Hollingworth Lake. Visitors can also take trips across the lake on the launch 'The Lady Alice'. Rowing Boats are also available to hire in the summer. The scenic walk around the lake is two and a half miles long and passes by a nature reserve with a bird hide. The lake is teeming with wildlife and is often used as a means of adventure activities for children, whereby they can catch various pond life. Members of Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club are regularly seen rowing around the lake, and the yearly regatta attracts many other clubs. Members of Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club are regularly seen on the lake. There is also a Sea Cadets centre.

To the East of the lake, a visitor's centre showcases children's artwork from around the area, and also displays things that have been found in the lake. Hollingworth Lake has even been used as a practice for those training to cross the English Channel to France. The children's play area has a sign on it, proclaiming that Captain Matthew Webb swam in the lake, practising every week.

External links

* [http://www.hlsc.org.uk Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club]
* [http://www.b-visible.co.uk/hollingworthlake2.html Hollingworth Lake Pictures and Businesses]
* [http://link4life.org/holwac Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre]
* [http://www.hollingworthlakerowingclub.co.uk Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club]