SPARK #38: Northern Roots

Our July SPARK session is a visit to regenerative land project Northern Routes in Oldham. We’ll have a tour of the site, a talk about Northern Roots and the organisation’s plans, and a chance to discuss how SPARK artists can get involved.

Born in Oldham, Northern Roots is using regenerative land management techniques to transform uncared for space into somewhere that is ‘of’ the local community, but for everyone.

The organisation aims to create inspiring spaces, moments and opportunities for people to connect around food, growing, nature, learning, creativity, sport, enterprise, work and play; and to do this in a way that supports nature, enhances wellbeing, creates jobs, and builds hope, pride and aspiration.

Northern Roots is a long-term, evolving project. Currently, there is a blooming Phase 1 Urban Farm and community garden with educational activities, creative workshops, community events and celebrations, produce sales and harvest festivals, nature walks, heritage talks and much more. In 2026 the site will have a Visitor Centre with café, shop, performance, learning and meeting spaces, a Forestry Skills Centre with workshop and classroom facilities, small natural amphitheatre, solar array, sports pitches, cycle and equestrian routes, play facilities and a swimming pond.

The 160-acre site stretches for a mile and a half from Oldham’s award-winning Alexandra Park down to Park Bridge Heritage Centre and the River Medlock, where it looks out onto the foothills of the Peak District. The diverse mix of woodland, wetland, moorland and meadow is a tranquil haven for birds, wildlife and visitors, just 20 minutes’ walk from Oldham Central tram stop.