Walk to the Pub - Strines to New Mills
Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Strines to New Mills
PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing
The Fox Inn, Brookbottom
Fox Inn
Located in the quiet secluded hamlet of Brookbottom, the Fox Inn is an 18th century inn feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. With just a single narrow road leading to it, this hidden gem is pure escapism for pub goers, with peace and quiet all around - the only thing that hurries through Brookbottom is the brook! Full of character and charm, everyone is given a warm welcome and muddy boots are welcome. The traditional country pub interior features corner settles, copper-topped tables and a comforting open log fire. Reasonably priced pub food is also available. When last visited Wizard, Unicorn and a house beer, Fox Inn Ale, were available, all brewed by Robinsons. Opening times are 12-3pm on Monday; 12-3pm and 8-11pm Tuesday to Thursday; 12-11pm Friday and Saturday; 12-10pm on Sunday.
Bus & Train Information
This walk requires getting off the train at Strines and getting back on at New Mills Central. If travelling from central Stockport, this will require changing at Manchester Piccadilly. Purchase a return ticket to New Mills Central (not New Mills Newtown).
Services to Strines run every two hours on Monday to Saturday and every hour on Sunday. Return trains from New Mills Central run twice an hour on Monday to Saturday and once an hour on Sunday. For full timetable information visit www.northernrailway.co.uk The 358 bus from Stockport can also be used for this walk. Getting off the bus at Strines and walk along Station Road until you reach Strines Station. At the end of the walk, the bus back can be boarded at New Mills Bus Station.
The Walk
This is a moderate two-mile walk with quite a steep climb at the start. The OS Map is OL1 The Peak District (OS app also available).
Get off the train at Strines Station. Exit platform 2 at the end gate and take the stony track up the hill to the right. The track climbs for half a mile before arriving at a road at the top. Turn left at the road and the Fox Inn is just ahead.
After leaving the pub, retrace your steps and carry along the road up the hill. To your right are lovely views of The Cage and surrounding countryside. Just after a bench on your right, leave the road and follow a stony track to the right down a hill. The track then becomes a narrow road. Carry along down the hill until it joins a main road. Cross over and continue straight ahead along the road on the other side. After passing over the railway line, walk through the car park on your left and across to a path on the opposite side. This path then meanders down some steps to the River Goyt below.
At the river, take the path to the left. When the path forks, keep to the right, through a gate signed Mousley Bottom Local Nature Reserve, continuing with the river on your right. Keep right at another fork. The path leaves the river bank to the left briefly, take the right fork after this to stick close to the river again. The path then joins a wider track and continue along here, again with the river on your right. When the track passes between two houses and joins an unsurfaced road, turn right here and carry on up the hill until you reach New Mills Central Station on your left. The centre of New Mills can be found continuing past the station to the top of the hill.
New Mills
Beer Shed
There is much to see in this characterful mill town with many independent shops and cafes to seek out. The town sits above a natural rocky gorge known as The Torrs which has become a 'park under the town' and is highly recommended as it features the spectacular Millennium Walkway. A good selection of pubs can be found here too, all welcoming walkers.
A short walk along Market Street brings you to Beer Shed, an impressive micropub which opened in November 2016. It has an interesting layout in its long and narrow space. Up to four cask beers are available and these were from Fyne Ales, Moor Brewery and Fool Hardy Ales when I last visited.
The Masons Arms is located on High Street at the far end of the town centre and is well worth seeking out. Stone floors, bespoke wooden furniture and a lovely log burner set the ideal post-walk scene. The beer range is excellent with cask beers from Storm, Stamps, Holts, Thwaites and Robinsons when I called in.
The train back to Manchester Piccadilly, and then Stockport, can be boarded at New Mills Central station which was passed previously on the walk.