We're excited to bring our Centenary Conference to the wonderful town of Rochdale - it is afterall the birthplace of the co-operative movement. We've put together this short guide of places to explore, from cultural treats to lush green spaces, there's plenty to see and do.

Rochdale Pioneers Museum

No trip to Rochdale would be complete without a trip to the world famous Rochdale Pioneers Museum. Immerse yourself in the history of the first co-op shop, set up on toad lane almost 175 years ago. Find out more about the museum and explore more of the story behind the famous building over on their website.

Green spaces

If you're more of an outdoorsy type then why not pay a visit to either Jubilee or Queen's park, with the latter boasting a coveted Green Flag Award and officially recognised as one of the best parks in the country.

Live entertainment

If you're looking for some live entertainment then check our Middleton Arena. With a regular programme of arts and entertainment including live music, concerts, comedy and dances with stage shows and national tours, it's the perfect place for a night out.

The auditorium is a professionally equipped performance space with high quality staging, lighting and sound systems, seating up to 500 people. See more details over on their website.

Touchstones Museum

Another must-see for any culture vultures out there! Touchstones Museum has been welcoming visitors since 1884 and started out life as a library. Fast forward to the present day and it's known as the Borough's Arts and Heritage Centre. 

The Art Gallery and Museum spaces change regularly, with exhibitions focusing on Rochdale’s vast collection of museum artefacts plus a dedicated space for local artists to display their work.

The team also focus on pieces from across the world, with artwork from renowned global artists a regular feature. View details of upcoming events and find out more over on their website.

That's just a snapshot of some of the places that we think no trip to Rochdale is complete without. Tell us what you think in the comments below, and better still, why not add your recommendations too!