VISIT to HISTORIC JEWELS of the NORTH WEST : ROCHDALE TOWN HALL

 THURSDAY 15th OCTOBER 2026

ICHOLAS PEVSNER, the architectural historian, described Rochdale Town Hall as having ‘a rare, picturesque beauty’. The building, opened in 1871, has recently undergone a £20 million restoration programme, led by Donald Insall Associates. Tea and coffee will be served on arrival followed by an overview of the restoration given by TONY BARTON, the former Chair of Donald Insall Associates and the Chair of Chester Civic Trust’s Heritage Committee. After a guided tour of the Town Hall, a full buffet lunch will be provided by the in-house renowned Martlet Kitchen. JAY RAYNER, a food critic for the Financial Times and presenter of Radio 4’s Kitchen Cabinet, has commented that ‘ the Martlet is where civic pride meets glorious cooking’.

After lunch we will travel to SMITHILLS HALL on the slopes of the West Pennine Moors. Smithills Hall is an unknown Grade1 listed gem. It is one of the oldest and best preserved manor houses in the North West. Over the years the original Medieval Hall has been added to by Tudor and Victorian wings.
The building was purchased for £70,000 by Bolton Corporation in 1938. There will not be a formal guided tour of the building however members of staff and  volunteers from the Friends of Smithills Hall will be on hand to answer questions. Before we leave for our return journey to Chester the ‘Friends’ will provide refreshments.
If you have any queries please contact Christine Russell at christinerussell4@icloud.com or call 07976313336

The COST of the visit will be £60 per person. This will include EVERYTHING – coach travel, guided tour, lunch, refreshments, gratuities.
There will be 2 COACH PICK-UP places at 8.15am from St Mary’s Church in Overleigh Road in Handbridge or 8.25am from the Town Crier Pub opposite Chester Station. The return DROP-OFFs will be in the same places at around 5.45pm.

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for a PICK UP AT:

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Please give RHS as a reference pay by bank transfer (BACs) to:
ACCOUNT NAME: CHESTER CIVIC TRUST
SORT CODE : 60-40-08
ACCOUNT NUMBER : 01229346

IT IS IMPORTANT TO USE YOUR SURNAME WITH RHS AS A REFERENCE ON ALL PAYMENTS.

DATE OF BSCS PAYMENT

If you wish to pay by cheque, please make the cheque payable to Chester Civic Trust and send to: Chester Civic Trust, 51/53 Watergate Row South, Chester CH1 2LE