Walk To The Pub - Mellor Circular
Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Mellor Circular
PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing
Located high up on the edge of Stockport’s south-east boundary, Mellor is surrounded by scenic hills, with stunning views in every direction, including across to Kinder Scout. This walk boasts an archaeological site, a replica Iron Age roundhouse, a commanding hill-located church and many rustic village houses from the 18th century – including a classic country pub.
The stone-built Oddfellows Arms has a rich history, as you’d expect from a building that has been a pub for over 300 years. The numerous alterations that have been made by each generation over that time have added to its charm. The cosy and welcoming ground floor features low ceilings with exposed timbers, flagstone and old oak flooring, together with two log burners – one of which is double-sided. The dining room upstairs offers more space and light, but keeps with the same handsome styling as downstairs. Locally sourced food is a speciality here, and has been awarded a Michelin plate. Drinkers are very much catered for too, though, with a well-stocked bar offering up to five cask beers. These were Wren’s Nest from Howard Town, Abbeydale Absolution, Marston’s Pedigree and Oddfellows Pale from Beartown Brewery on my last visit. The opening times are noon to late Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 8pm on Sunday. The pub is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Bus Information
The 375 bus runs regularly during the morning and afternoon, from Stockport to Mellor, six days a week. There is no service on Sundays. The last bus back leaves Mellor Terminus at 7.06pm mid-week and 5.25pm on Saturdays. A quicker journey time can be achieved by travelling to Marple, using the train or 383/384 buses and boarding the 375 from there for the short 10-minute journey up the hill to Mellor. Timetables can be found at tfgm.com and littlegem.info/services/375.
The Walk
This is a moderate two-mile walk with some hill climbing. The paths are mainly good but there is one section that can get muddy after wet weather, so hiking boots are recommended. The OS map is OL1 The Peak District (OS app also available).
Exit the bus at Mellor Terminus and walk along the pavement with the road on your right and a playing field on your left. After 100 yards, turn left onto Church Lane and follow the pavement, then the road, up the hill to the church car park at the top. The church to the left is a good place of interest, as is the archaeological site and replica roundhouse straight ahead.
To continue our walk, we turn right, walking away from the church and along the road that passes the vicarage. After 200 yards, when the road bends to the left, we carry on straight ahead, through a gate and up the hill along a track. Carry on straight along this track for a half a mile, passing through a gate halfway along. You then reach a gate with a field beyond and a bridleway sign to the left. Our route is right, through the open field with the bridleway sign behind us. After 100 yards on the right, walk through the gap in the wall, next to a gate, before following the fence on the other side until you reach Podnor Farm. Turn left here and walk along the track and into the village, where you should see some empty casks on the lane. The entrance to the Oddfellows Arms is at the front on the main road.
After exiting the pub, retrace your steps back to the path and the empty casks. Our route is now along the track with the rear of the pub on your left. Follow the well-trodden path for 300 yards which passes through two gates into a field. Turn left here and follow the stone wall through a stile and then through a large metal gate next to a house. Carry on along the track until you rejoin Church Road. Turn left here and walk down the hill for a few yards until you spot the “Church Road 1-14” sign on the left. Walk down this track and then up the other side until it reaches the main road. The Devonshire Arms is on your right.
The 19th-century Devonshire Arms is a large country pub that is popular with diners, but also walkers after a drink. Recently refurbished, the interior is now a modern country style that is both comfortable and inviting, with a log-burning stove and an impressive beer garden at the back. The cask beers available on my last visit were Robinsons Unicorn and Dizzy Blonde. The pub opens at noon until late every day.
After exiting the pub, turn right and the 375 bus stop at Mellor Terminus is 100 yards along the pavement.