Watergrove Reservoir

• Rochdale, OL12 9NH
• Car park facility available
• There are currently no new memorials available at this location. You can still add to an existing memorial.

Opened in 2001, the Watergrove planting site nestles in the gently rising foothills of the Pennine Chain, overlooking the expansive Watergrove reservoir.

The site is accessed by driving through the quaint village of Wardle which, along with the reservoir, sits just outside of Rochdale with views looking towards the Manchester skyline.

There are numerous nature walks both through the planting site over the Pennines leading to Todmorden and the Yorkshire Dales. Two picnic areas with benches and tables are situated on the flat lawned area close to the reservoir itself. The reservoir is also home to a sailing club whose members can be seen windsurfing adding to the splendour of this unique and pleasing area.

Life for a Life planting areas are natural environments where we encourage wildlife and plantlife to flourish, as such additional items should not be added to the tree or the space around it, especially as they can cause damage to the tree. Please be aware that any prohibited items left on or around memorial trees will be removed. 

Although, this site is now full to the planting of new memorial trees, if you have an existing memorial tree dedicated you can still upgrade memorial plaques, add additional ashes to a memorial tree, order memorial keepsakes etc.

Now that this memorial forest is closed to new tree planting you will see slight changes in the way we manage the site. The aim is to create a forest that will mature over time and become a local amenity for both visitors and wildlife. Therefore, the management regime will move to one which is more sympathetic to the environment. In practical terms, this will mean a gradual reduction in grass cutting as the tree canopy closes to help promote a richer diversity of wildflowers and other ground flora.
All the memorial trees are guaranteed for 25 years and any tree which has unfortunately not established itself successfully will be replaced from a selected mixture of 'understory' species consisting of either Hazel, Hawthorn or Holly that will help diversify the woodland creating an even better home for nature.
Furthermore, as the memorial trees grow they will be 'crown-lifted' which involves removing the lower limbs of the trees to help maintain access as the trees continue to mature and allow air and light to pass through. Eventually, the plaque in front of the trees will be removed as the site transitions from a formalised memorial woodland into the memorial forest we all want it to become. At this point a new sign will be erected that will let people know how the forest was established and what the trees represent.