June Weekday Wander — East of Manchester

We start today in what feels like the heart of the country — In the middle of Gorton! The Vale Cottage is so well hidden from Hyde Road that there are locals who don't know it exists. As this is June, fingers crossed, that the weather is good enough to enjoy their beer garden. Home cooked meals are also on offer.

Exiting needs to be co-ordinated with the buses, or a 25/30 minute walk along the Fallowfield loop is an optional alternative.

The Railway on Manshaw Road is so named because the road used to be on Station Road, with the original Fairfield Station being at the bottom. On entering take note of the grand (formally?) gas light over the door. When there was a World War One army training camp in what were then fields opposite, the room to the left was known as the Officers Mess (as in mess room and not reflecting the unkempt state of the room!)

We can make the next connection using an occasional bus, but a pleasant 15 minute walk, taking in the Moravian Settlement, where tuition into the difference between cobbles and setts can be given. There is also a gorgeous post box to be examined as well as some stone fencing.

Entering Droylsden, Silly Country is obvious on the corner of the shopping centre. This modern bar and bottle shop is almost the complete opposite of our two earlier establishments. A modern bar inside with outside street drinking and a range of beers and cider. Now to the interesting name, I will leave you to ask. Finally to the Grove, a traditional Holts street corner pub. The vault has an exquisite 'carved' wooden bar area. Also of note is the World War One memorial plaque. Perhaps of more note to the drinker is the rare (in southern Manchester) classic Holts Mild.

Return to Stockport is easiest via Manchester, to which there are frequent buses and trams, but there are cross town options via the 171/172 and 53 bus routes.

Because of the somewhat strung out nature of the itinerary this means a later return to Stockport than usual, but it is summer and the nights are light so let's make the best of them.

Arrive	Leave	Pub	Address	Food
11:20am	11:26am	Meet at Bridgefield Street Stop LE, east end of Prince's Street
11:26am	11:53am	Bus 203 to Manchester Piccadilly, alight Hyde Road/Far Lane
12:00pm	13:35pm	Vale Cottage	Kirk Street, Gorton, M18 8UE	Yes - Home cooked
13:45pm	14:05pm	Bus 7 or 172 to Ashton Old Road then 10 min walk (bus can be used)
14:05pm	15:00pm	Railway	2 Manshaw Road, Openshaw, M11 1HS	No
15:00pm	15:15pm	Walk via Moravian Settlement (can catch 217 bus at 14:47)
15:15pm	16:15pm	Silly Country	121 Market Street, Droylsden, M43 7AR	No but... See bottom
16:18pm	16:33pm	Tram or 216 us to Clayton Hall stop
16:35pm	17:30pm	Grove	652 Ashton New Road, Clayton, M11 4SQ	No
17:32pm	18:11pm	Regular trams and buses to Piccadilly Station/Gardens then train home - 40 to 50 minutes

Customers can bring their own food (no 'Chippy' food other than pies).

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