Here’s hoping the weather is good as we are off up in to the hills for a day out in the Sett Valley.

Planning this was awkward because of the timings of the buses and, with the closing of the Royal Hotel, we have lost the third convenient pub in Hayfield. The Pack Horse would be a suitable substitute, was it not for the fact it doesn’t open on Tuesdays. [Though on passing on Easter Sunday there was a signboard saying “Open all day April...” so who knows...] To compensate for this, I have added a visit to the oft overlooked Mason’s Arms in New Mills. There is also the siren call of Marple pubs as we make our way home.

The menu of the two pubs which do offer food are more upmarket that pie and peas so you may wish to bring your own butties as there are no Greggs, Subways nor McDonalds in Hayfield.

Our first stop is in the Kinder Lodge, an excellent historic pub (dating from 1778) which, being on the wrong side of the tracks (okay the extremely busy by-pass) it is often overlooked. There are four beers on handpull, all being from independent brewers such as RedWillow or Timothy Taylor. This may be a re-visit for anyone who ventured out to Hayfield on Mild Magic, but I hope you agree well worth the effort.

After crossing the busy road (there is an underpass) we will walk in the back door of the George Hotel (dating from 1575). This is what you expect when you think of old rambling pubs – many rooms tucked away around the central bar. They say hikers and cyclists are welcome, so we will probably get away with it and be admitted. Being a Marstons (or whatever they are called this week) house means the George is tied to their products, but (so far) none of those dreaded brewery conditioned, fake handpull products have been noticed on the bar — but keep your eyes open!

A quick bus ride from the Hayfield Bus Station (sounds grand doesn’t it, but consists of a bus shelter and one bus stop!) avoids the 12 minute walk up he main road. We alight in Little Hayfield where we will enter the Lantern Pike. The building dates from 1792, but it has only been a pub since 1851, so is very-much the new kid on the block. Of more recent historical note is Coronation Street originator Tony Warren once lived nearby and wrote early episodes of the soap while in the pub [I wonder which locals were the inspiration of Ena Sharples and Minne Caldwell?] If the weather is good there are grand view from the beer garden of Lantern Pike (that big hill across the valley). If you can’t see it, its raining!

We now take the bus from across the road all the way to New Mills Bus Station (a bit more extensive than Hayfields as it has two bus shelters!). A short six minute walk ensues to take us to our next destination, though a more adventurous 15 minutes could be spent traversing the Torrs.

Situated in the New Mills Conservation Area, and on High Street (even though it dips down the hill making Market Street the higher!) is the Mason's Arms. A former Robinsons pub, who gained it from Bell & Co when the latter were taken over in 1949. When the previous long-term licensee was unable to continue Robinsons decided to sell the pub. Locals banded together and the current incarnation rose from the ashes. Vary much a local’s pub – don’t tourists dare venture this far off the beaten track? – with a good selection of value cask ales predominantly from local micros — Including Holts Mild on my recent visit! On the way back to the bus, cast your eye to the right at the High Street – Market Street junction and the red K6 phone box. Believe it or not, this is one of New Mills' listed structures (full list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_buildings_in_New_Mills).

Should anyone be interested in further pubs, there is no stopping us alighting in Marple and visiting other establishments — but that is outside the scope of this write-up.

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