cafe
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
Manchester's cycling culture hub offering specialty coffee, kit, and a community space for riding enthusiasts.
12 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Royton
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Royton
Royton works well as a base: 10 minutes from Lees, 22km from Snake Pass.
Royton is in England, United Kingdom, with about 23,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Lees, about 4 km away.
Royton is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, with a population of 21,284 in 2011. Close to the source of the River Irk, near undulating land at the foothills of the South Pennines, it is 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Oldham, 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast of Rochdale and 8 milesRead more
(12.9 km) northeast of Manchester.
Within the boundaries of the historic county of Lancashire, Royton and its surroundings have provided evidence of ancient British, Roman and Viking activity in the area. During the Middle Ages, Royton formed a small township centred on Royton Hall, a manor house owned by a long succession of dignitaries which included the Byrons and Radcliffes. A settlement expanded outwards from the hall which, by as late as 1780, "contained only a few straggling and mean-built cottages". Farming was the main industry of this rural area, with locals supplementing their incomes by hand-loom woollen weaving in the domestic system.
Royton has the distinction of being the first town where a powered cotton mill was built; at Thorp in 1764, and is one of the first localities in the world to have adopted the factory system. The introduction of textile manufacture during the Industrial Revolution facilitated a process of unplanned urbanisation in the area, and by the mid-19th century Royton had emerged as a mill town. At its zenith, there were 40 cotton mills—some of the largest in the United Kingdom—employing 80% of the local population. Imports of foreign cotton goods began the decline in Royton's textile industry during the mid-20th century, and its last mill closed in 2002.
Today, fewer than a dozen mills are still standing, the majority of which are used for light engineering or as distribution centres. Despite an economic depression brought about by the demise of cotton spinning, Royton's population has continued to grow as a result of intensive housing redevelopment which has modernised its former Edwardian districts.
Where to Stay in Royton
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Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Royton.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Royton?
Within an hour or so of Royton: Rapha Clubhouse Manchester (12 km), Holme Moss (18 km), Woodhead Pass (20 km), Snake Pass (22 km).
Are there any good drives near Royton?
The nearest famous roads are Holme Moss, Woodhead Pass and Snake Pass.
Where is Royton?
Royton is in England, United Kingdom, about 4 km from Lees.
Road trip
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Quick Information
- Population
- 22,848
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 53.5651, -2.1227
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Royton
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
mountain pass
Holme Moss
A 524 m Pennine pass on the A6024 topped by a landmark transmitter mast, a celebrated cycling climb used in the 2014 Tour de France.
18 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
Woodhead Pass
The A628 trans-Pennine route over bleak moorland past the Woodhead reservoirs, frequently closed by snow and high winds.
20 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Snake Pass
A twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
22 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Snake Pass (A57)
The Woodhead-era Telford road over the Pennines between Glossop and the Ladybower reservoirs, with fast curves and frequent winter closures.
22 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Snake Pass Summit
The highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
23 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
Kinder Downfall
The Peak's highest waterfall at 30m, famously blown back up the cliff as spray in a westerly wind.
24 km · about 30 min drive
film location
Lyme Park (Pemberley, 1995 Pride and Prejudice)
The lake at Lyme Park is where Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerges from the water in the BBC serial.
26 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Royton
9 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 60km.
- 18 kmHolme MossA 524 m Pennine pass on the A6024 topped by a landmark transmitter mast, a celebrated cycling climb used in the 2014 Tour de France.
- 20 kmWoodhead PassThe A628 trans-Pennine route over bleak moorland past the Woodhead reservoirs, frequently closed by snow and high winds.
- 22 kmSnake PassA twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
- 22 kmSnake Pass (A57)The Woodhead-era Telford road over the Pennines between Glossop and the Ladybower reservoirs, with fast curves and frequent winter closures.
- 23 kmSnake Pass SummitThe highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
- 26 kmKinder ScoutThe Peak District's highest ground at 636m, site of the 1932 Mass Trespass that led to Britain's national parks and right to roam.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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