Oldham’s 160-acre Northern Roots eco-park opens this September

Name: Opening of Northern Roots visitor attraction
Start: 2026-09-19
Location: Northern Roots

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-21 09:13 3 min read

Three people stand outdoors in a sunny park before a modern brick building.

Oldham is preparing for the grand opening of its most ambitious environmental project to date. Northern Roots, a sprawling 160-acre urban farm and eco-park situated adjacent to Alexandra Park, will officially open its gates to the public on Saturday 19 September 2026. This milestone marks the culmination of a five-year development partnership between Oldham Council and the Northern Roots charity, transforming underused land into a landmark destination for nature, health, and community enterprise.

Essential Visitor Information

Opening Date: Saturday 19 September 2026.
Location: Northern Roots, land adjacent to Alexandra Park, Oldham.
Target Audience: Open to the general public, families, schools, and community groups.
Entry Details: Further information regarding the opening-day schedule and any specific entry requirements will be released by the organisers as the date approaches.

Facilities at the New Visitor Hub

The site’s central Welcome Building has been officially handed over to the council and the charity, serving as the primary arrival point for the public. This hub is designed to be a vibrant focal point, housing a shop, a café, and a production kitchen. A key highlight for food enthusiasts is the farm-to-fork dining experience, with menu development led by the acclaimed Manchester-based chef and restaurateur Mary-Ellen McTague. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to see produce grown on-site before it is prepared for service in the café.

Oldham’s 160-acre Northern Roots eco-park opens this September

Beyond the dining facilities, the site offers a variety of spaces for learning and recreation:

Forestry Skills Centre: A dedicated facility for sustainable industry training, focusing on landscape management, crop growing, and green economy apprenticeships.
Outdoor Play Area: A space designed specifically to encourage children to engage directly with the natural environment.
Community Spaces: Two flexible rooms within the Welcome Building, which will host school visits, exhibitions, performances, and community meetings.

Nature, Health and Local Impact

Northern Roots is designed to function as more than just a visitor attraction; it is an economic and environmental driver for the borough. The wider site features an expanding network of accessible green spaces, including orchards, community gardens, and newly established woodland and wetland habitats. These areas are intended to support a year-round programme of volunteering, educational activities, and nature-based health initiatives.

As part of its long-term strategy, the project aims to support up to 40 new businesses by 2030 and create between 60 and 80 local jobs. The Forestry Skills Centre plays a crucial role in this, helping residents gain qualifications in the green economy. With plans to host 4,500 school visits annually and deliver hundreds of nature-based ‘health prescriptions,’ the site is positioned to become a vital piece of local infrastructure. As the opening date nears, prospective visitors are encouraged to monitor official announcements for the full launch-day schedule.

Source: Oldham Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Verified Local News

This report is based on the official announcement from Oldham Council regarding the handover of the Northern Roots site.

Checks