Uncovering Bamford

Posted by on 2 Oct 2023

This is the first of a series of articles exploring the borough of Rochdale and what it has to offer as a place to live.  I will be speaking to local business owners that not only have their businesses in Rochdale, but also live here.  I will find out why they live in the area and will look to uncover some hidden gems that make Rochdale a great place to live, work and play.

This week I visited the suburb of Bamford, a small residential area of Rochdale just 3 miles from the town centre.  Bamford is one of the more affluent areas of Rochdale and a great commuter village for town centre, Manchester City Centre and the motorway network.  There is a lot on offer here for professionals and families alike, with local shops, independent restaurants, pubs, cafes and essential amenities all on the doorstep of beautiful countryside.

Originally, together with neighbouring Birtle, it formed the civil parish of Birtle-with-Bamford, also known as Birtle-cum-Bamford, however this was dissolved in 1974 when Bamford was amalgamated into the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale as part of the Heywood and Middleton ward.

I caught up with Claire Bayman, founder and director of Bayman Atkinson Smythe Specialist Recruitment to find out more about Bamford, the area Claire was born and bred, and now lives.

Firstly, we needed a place to chat with great coffee, there a several independent cafes in Bamford that have become regular spots for people to catch up with friends, enjoy brunch or a cheeky piece of homemade cake, but Bamford Barista was the choice this time.  Before the pandemic, owner Phil serviced coffee machines across the northwest, and Judith worked for an airline, when COVID both industries were decimated and Bamford Barista was born, initially out of desperation, but now the couple run the café out of passion and will never look back.  It started with a book swap library and selling takeaway coffee and ice-cream to passers-by from the kitchen stable door as they took their daily walk, after making a mess of their kitchen Phil and Judith converted their garage and garden into quirky café, hidden in a secret garden on a bridal path in the heart of Bamford.  They are definitely serious about coffee and make a great flat white!

Claire, is a passionate true Rochdalian and tells us what it is like living in Bamford.

Tell me a bit about your business?

We are a team with decades of experience in recruitment, the agency opened just as the pandemic hit in 2020, we were concerned as everybody was as to what the future looked like, but despite the world coming to a standstill, as specialists in Accountant recruitment the business thrived. We now are a team of 6 working with businesses of all sizes across the North West.  We took offices in Fire Up Co-working Space near Rochdale Train Station earlier this year, and we are just about to open a second office in Manchester City Centre on Great Bridgewater Street, and also recruiting two new consultants.

What does Bamford have to offer as a place to live?

“Having lived in London and France for a time, Rochdale has always been where my heart is”

“From a physical location aspect, it’s a great combination living on the edge of the countryside where I walk daily with my dog Noodle, I am close to the Rochdale office, whilst being 45-minute drive into Manchester (or 18 minutes by train from Rochdale Train Station). So, it’s the best of both worlds.  Having the countryside on your doorstep during lockdown was the best thing. Going out for a walk in our beautiful Pennines is priceless. The parks in and around Bamford are also fabulous, we have Ashworth Valley, Queen’s Park and Rochdale Golf Club as I step out of my front door, I could go on! “

There are great places to eat and drink too; these include fantastic fish and chips and homemade pie with a side of real ale at The Hare and Hounds pub to delicious dishes from award winning chef Andrew Nutter at his gastro pub The Bird at Birtle. There are also a couple of independent Italian restaurants and also a great Indian restaurant within walking distance, what more do you need?

What’s going on in Bamford?

“As a member of The Friends of Bamford – which was set up to develop the local ‘village’ green from scrubland to a more useable community area and give Bamford more a community feel through events. I joined this group on the back of the campaign to Save Bamford Greenbelt. Bamford backs on to farmland and Ashworth Valley so is good for countryside ‘parks’.  As a group we arrange all sorts of events and activities, from RHS Rochdale in Bloom and litter picks to Community Garden activities and Community Carol Singing on the Green, the calendar is always growing.”

“I am the chair for Rochdale’s town twinning association – the ‘Friends of Tourcoing’.  The association has been around for years, I joined when I was in my teens.  We visit France, host French visitors and hold a number of social events. These are open to members and non-members and new participants are extremely welcome at any meeting or event.”

“I also Captain of a local Boules Team, based out of the Healey (pub) in Shawclough, it’s a little-known fact that Rochdale has a thriving Boules League (or French Petanque) which has been going since the 80’s. Oh and The Healey Dell Boys won the league 2023….”

Sports in Bamford

For a small residential area sport in Bamford prevalent, in addition to great bridal, cycle, running and walking routes, the area has everything a sports enthusiast would need -

Rochdale Golf Club with a large proportion of the course at sits in Bamford, the present 18 hole course was constructed on Bagslate Moor just over 100 years ago and is now rated a top venue for county golf with the Pro Shop is run by PGA Professional Andrew Laverty lessons are available to anyone at any age, whether you are wanting to improve your game or just starting out.  The Shop also benefits from a state of the art indoor golf simulator.

Rochdale Rugby Union Football Club sits on the edge of the 11thgreen and provides facilities for players of all ages to enjoy Rugby Union as well as a social event calendar.

The Rochdale Company of Archers are on the same site at the Rugby Club, with members aged 8 to 88 with a thriving junior club.

Bamford Fieldhouse Cricket Club has two senior teams, under 9’s – 11’s and 13’s;

Rochdale Tennis Club offers excellent, all-the-year-round outdoor facilities providing tennis for all ages and abilities.

Bamford Bowling Club offers Lawn Bowls, boules and snooker, the club also has live music events throughout the year.

What about schools

Bamford has two primary schools Bamford Primary Academy and St Michael’s Bamford, a number of private day nursery’s, and is also key pick up point for the grammar schools in north Manchester, with private bus collection points for Bury Grammar School, Oldham Hulme Grammar School, Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School and Bolton School.

Rochdale has an outstanding 6th form college and a successful Further Education college for more vocational learning.  Skills are central to the RDAs strategy in support of Atom Valley and only last year a partnership was created with Pembroke College Oxford which encourages and enables the most able pupils to participate in courses at the university https://investinrochdale.co.uk/news/post/students-from-rochdale-bury-attend-a-month-long-summer-school-hosted-at-uni

In a nutshell

Bamford is quiet suburban area with picturesque countryside on the doorstep, ideally located for professionals and families alike.  The village is well-connected to nearby towns and cities, including Rochdale and Manchester, making it convenient for commuters, with family homes ranging from around £180,000 up to £1,250,000.

With a strong sense of community. It’s a place where neighbours often know each other, and there are local events and activities; if nature and enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll find opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring the countryside.

If you enjoy natural beauty but want easy access to Rochdale, the North West motorway network and Manchester City Centre, it’s a great place to live.