New Year's Day is a perfect time to get out in nature and shake off the excesses of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The Oldham Times has rounded up some of the best walks to enjoy in and around the borough to kick off 2024.
Dovestones Reservoir
Situated on the edge of Oldham and the Peak District National Park, Dovestone is a spectacular beauty spot and popular walking area.
An easy access path makes it simple for the whole family to take a stroll round the reservoir.
The site also includes two more reservoirs to walk around, Greenfield and Yeoman Hey, from which visitors can explore the Saddleworth Moors.
The area has an extensive network of footpaths with links to open access moorland and breathtaking views across the South Pennine hills.
A variety of wildlife can also be spotted on the site, including mountain hares and peregrine falcons.
Tandle Hill
Tandle Hill Country Park in Royton is Oldham’s oldest country park and spans 48 hectares of parkland with multiple trails, picnic areas and a children's play area.
At the peak of the park sits a war memorial commemorating the men from Royton who died in the First World War.
From the memorial there are views across the Pennine Hills, Manchester city centre and even the Welsh mountains on a clear day.
Ideal for nature lovers, Tandle Hill is a designated Site of Biological Importance due to its fungi and bird populations.
Daisy Nook
![The Oldham Times: Daisy Nook]( "The Oldham Times: Daisy Nook")
Daisy Nook (Image: Julieann Quinlan)
In the heart of the Medlock Valley lies Daisy Nook Country Park, 40 hectares of varied landscape that boasts waterways, a lake, canal towpath, woodlands, and wildflower meadows.
The park is home to wide array of wildlife, including great-spotted woodpeckers, owls, foxes, and squirrels.
Footpaths and bridleways for horse riding can also be found that link to neighbouring countryside areas, as well as three angling spots for fishing enthusiasts.
The park was named after a fictional beauty spot as imagined by the Lancashire poet, Ben Brierley, in 1855 in his first major work, 'A Day Out'.
Hartshead Pike
Hartshead Pike offers views across Tameside, Oldham, and Manchester for those who make the ascent.
The tower, a Grade II listed building, dates back to the 16th century and is thought to have been a beacon or signalling tower. Although it does not sit at the peak of the hill, it is 940 ft (290 meters) above sea level.
Alexandra Park
Alexandra Park was the first public park in Oldham, opened in 1865 and named to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Wales to Princess Alexandra of Denmark.
The park is home to a boating lake, ornamental gardens, an array of trees, and woodland pathways which can take you further onto Snipe Clouth, Brushes Clough and Park Bridge Heritage Centre.
Alexandra Park also has a fishing club, café, sand pit and children’s play area.
The Victorian town park was created in response to the Lancashire Cotton Famine between 1861 and 1865 in a bid to keep local textile workers employed. There are a number of Grade II listed structures in the park, including buildings and statues.
In 1992 the late Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a party at Alexandra Park with 3,000 guests as she came to Oldham after officially opening the after officially opening the Metrolink network in Bury.
Strinesdale Reservoir
On the edge of Oldham town centre and surrounded by farmland, Strinesdale is an area of water and woodland covering approximately 40 acres.
The area has reservoirs, woodlands and meadows that offer a wide range of habitats for local wildlife.
If you're up for the task, follow the River Medlock which runs through it to come out at Daisy Nook - or just sit and soak in the serenity of the reservoir on one of the picnic benches.
There are also fishing areas and an orienteering course for adventurous visitors.
Crompton Moor
Rising above the town of Shaw, Crompton Moor spans approximately 160 acres and contains several footpaths that traverse open moorland and plantation pine woodland.
Walkers can also visit the area’s impressive waterfall which flows into Pingot Quarry.
The site is brimming with wildlife. Birdwatchers can see kestrel, grey partridge, green woodpecker, willow warbler, curlew, skylark, and meadow pipit.
The area is also home to foxes, weasels, common shrews, stoats, and hares.
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