Stunning valley with a forgotten past that was once home to 'the North West's Glastonbury'

Hidden away on Greater Manchester's border with Lancashire lies a valley with a rich and forgotten past. Surrounded by miles of rolling hills, the picturesque Cheesden Valley has been a well-kept secret for decades.

Home to a waterfall and a babbling brook, the unspoiled green space is located between Bury and Rochdale and just over a mile from the M66 motorway.

Its secluded and idyllic location has long been a haven for walkers and cyclists. Yet its beauty and fascinating history has largely gone unrecognised.

READ MORE: Beauty spots to visit around Greater Manchester for a picnic or weekend walk

That all changed when the coronavirus pandemic kicked in. As people began exploring their local area, increasing numbers fell in love with the valley and its unique charms.

Scattered throughout Cheesden Valley are remnants of its heritage as a centre for cotton production. The area was once home to more than a dozen mills which employed roughly 2,000 workers between them.

A thriving community emerged as cottages and a school were built to accommodate the workers and their families. However, Cheesden Valley's mills were unable to compete with their rivals in nearby towns and cities and had all but vanished by the late 19th century.

When the mills closed, many workers moved away to find jobs elsewhere. Nature has long since taken over, although the skeletons of many buildings remain.

Among them is Cheesden Lumb Mill, hidden in the depths of the steep-sided valley. Built in 1786, it was initially a fulling mill, turning woollens into felted materials.

It later became a cotton spinning mill and was later involved in the manufacture of lamp wicks before closing towards the end of the 20th century. All that remains of the mill