Not many people know about this hidden waterfall spot only 25 minutes from Oldham

Tucked away less than 30 minutes from Oldham is a hidden beauty spot with a magical past, a waterfall and even a fairy bridge.

This hidden gem in Rochdale sits beneath a tall railway viaduct inside a narrow gorge once known as The Thrutch.

Visitors who come to explore can discover a secret waterfall and the famous fairy bridge. There is also a hidden cave called the Fairies Chapel, where you can see a stone pulpit along with carved reading desks and seats.

Image credit: Photo © Nick Andrews (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Science explains that caves are shaped by water slowly wearing away the rock over time, but the Healey Dell Heritage Centre shares a more magical story.

Local legend says the fairy cavern was formed when a fairy king turned a group of witches into stone.

Just a 25 minute drive from Oldham town centre, the nature reserve offers plenty to enjoy, from visiting the heritage centre to stopping at the tea rooms or wandering through the woodland paths.

Inside the heritage centre you can learn about the real history of the area, including early tribes who once lived here, alongside the myths and stories that have been passed down through the years.

Videos showing this hidden gem on TikTok and other social media platforms have become increasingly popular, and it is easy to see the appeal.

As well as the waterfall and cave, visitors can cross the fairy bridge and follow several different adventure trails.

The walking routes range from easy to more challenging, with one path suitable for larger mobility vehicles and another that can be used by some mobility vehicles, though not all.

Remember - LeaveNoTrace!

As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

Download the official APP!

Gain access to over 1,600 hidden gems and their co-ordinates all over the UK when you download our app. Add gems to your bucket-list and tick them off as you go along, as well as earn rewards/badges when you visit a certain amount.

Users will also have acess to over 9,000 parking spots across the UK as well as over 1,600 staycations in the UK.