In the 19th century, farming was reduced with the construction of the reservoirs.
The Industrial Revolution  ended the viability of cottage industries such as weaving, small mines closed and the long term population decreased as the Water Authority cleared land in the reservoirs catchment area to protect the water supply, some properties had inadequate sewer treatment facilities and many lacked piped water, farms and other properties were hence taken over and demolished, prior to the reservoirs lower Rivington was fenced off and closed to the public.

The area saw the arrival of a large workforce during reservoir construction, the reservoir chain created a tourist industry, with day-trippers from the dark factories to middle class in visiting in wonder at the new water works scheme.
The water scheme resulted in a two Hotels and busy public houses and Tea Rooms the area was thriving with offshoot businesses including a wash house at Rivington Hall supplied by Leverhulmes father, James Lever.
The reservoirs led to increasing visitor numbers, this continued and increased further with the opening of Lever Park in 1904, this brought money into the area.

Agriculture, mainly sheep farming, continues.
Today the area has a thriving tourist industry and a number of Tea Houses, although the Hotel and Public House in the village were demolished visitors are attracted to honeypot sites such as Lever Park and Rivington Pike, making tourism the most significant source of income in the area.
Go Ape operates an outdoor activity centre at Great House Barn.
Rivington Hall Barn and other sites host private and corporate events.
In the 19th century, farming was reduced with the construction of the reservoirs. The Industrial Revolution  ended the viability of cottage industries such as weaving, small mines closed and the long term population decreased as the Water Authority cleared land in the reservoirs catchment area to protect the water supply, some properties had inadequate sewer treatment facilities and many lacked piped water, farms and other properties were hence taken over and demolished, prior to the reservoirs lower Rivington was fenced off and closed to the public.
The area saw the arrival of a large workforce during reservoir construction, the reservoir chain created a tourist industry, with day-trippers from the dark factories to middle class in visiting in wonder at the new water works scheme. The water scheme resulted in a two Hotels and busy public houses and Tea Rooms the area was thriving with offshoot businesses including a wash house at Rivington Hall supplied by Leverhulmes father, James Lever. The reservoirs led to increasing visitor numbers, this continued and increased further with the opening of Lever Park in 1904, this brought money into the area.
Agriculture, mainly sheep farming, continues. Today the area has a thriving tourist industry and a number of Tea Houses, although the Hotel and Public House in the village were demolished visitors are attracted to honeypot sites such as Lever Park and Rivington Pike, making tourism the most significant source of income in the area. Go Ape operates an outdoor activity centre at Great House Barn. Rivington Hall Barn and other sites host private and corporate events.
Rivington