Walk to the Pub - Sett Valley
Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Sett Valley - Hayfield to New Mills
PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing
The Sett Valley Trail is a scenic nature path that runs along the track bed of the former railway line between Hayfield and New Mills. The journey used to take 10 minutes by train before the line was closed in 1970. This walk will take considerably longer, but a slower pace reaps the rewards of admiring the beauty of the local flora and fauna, the surrounding hills and quality cask beers from the local pubs. These pubs are at the start and finish, with an optional mid-walk pub stop on Saturdays – which is a must visit for the beer-loving hiker.
Public Transport Information
This walk starts at Hayfield, which is easily Sett reached by the hourly 358 bus from Stockport. Other services include the 60 and 61. At the walk finish in New Mills, the 358, 60 and 61 services are complemented with train services at New Mills Central.
The Walk
This four-mile linear walk has over 100 metres (340 feet) of ascent and the paths are generally good. If walking on a Saturday, there is the option of a further two miles to Thornsett Brewery & Hop Yard. All pubs are dog-friendly.
When exiting the bus at Hayfield Bus Station, a useful pre-walk drink can be found at the Kinder Lodge. It’s located back on the main road that the bus came along and turning left. Although small in size, this popular local is big on character, with low ceilings, exposed timbers and a wood-burning stove completing the rustic feel. It deserves its Good Beer Guide listing, with up to four cask beers at the heart of operations, often from local breweries. These were from Stancil, Thornbridge and Peak Ales on my last visit.
Starting the walk from the bus station, with the church clockface behind us, walk along the car park road and past a sign for the Sett Valley Trail. Continue straight ahead along the trail for one mile. When you reach a road, ignore the gate ahead and follow the path around to the right. Shortly after, the path turns left and crosses the road. Continue along the trail for half a mile, until we reach the cream-coloured Wildes Crossings Cottage.
For the optional walk to the Thornsett Brewery, take a right here and walk down the cobbled lane. Passing a warehouse on the left, we carry on straight ahead and up the other side with a stone wall on our right. On reaching a road, we now turn left and walk along the pavement. After the second road junction at the Old School House, we take the road to the right. This then bears right shortly afterwards, passing a school with superb views of the nearby hills. Following the road for half a mile, we turn left at the junction and then immediately right to enter through a gate to the brewery bar on the right.
With numerous footpaths criss-crossing close by, theThornsett Brewery Bar is a hikers’ paradise, with quality beers waiting to be drunk, straight off the trail. A large wooden outbuilding houses the bar and indoor seating. When it’s dry, though, it’s best to sit on one of the many seats outside, where outstanding views of the nearby countryside ca be enjoyed fully. On last inspection, the four Thornsett beers were Strong Ale, Best Bitter, Stout and Ruby Red Ale. Big Stone Beer’s Downfall, from nearby Chinley, was the other cask beer. The bar opens on Saturdays all year round, but best check their Facebook page beforehand.
Retracing our steps back to Wildes Crossings Cottage, we carry on along the Sett Valley Trail as before in the direction of New Mills for one mile, crossing over two roads in the process. After the path snakes about, turn left and climb the steps, then straight across the road to the trail beyond. Walk under the arched bridge, with the closed tunnel beyond. Take a left now and walk down the steps to enter The Torrs Riverside Park – time to get your cameras out. Passing under the viaduct, cross over the water at Torr Top Bridge, then keep right to cross back over the river again. Bear right and walk under the high viaduct, keeping the water on our left along the main path. After crossing over the spectacular Millennium Walkway, take the first right to climb up to the road. Ahead of us is New Mills Central Station. Turning right takes us to the bus station, but let’s not forget about those beers you’ve been looking forward to.
The Beer Shed is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts, with a fine selection of cask and quality keg on offer. As a result, it is often busy, with a great atmosphere further enhanced by the cosiness of the narrow space available. More seating can be found downstairs. On last inspection the cask beers were from Thornbridge, Big Trip and Alter Ego Brewing. When Beer Shed is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, another recommended pub is the nearby Royal Oak, which opens all week. This wet-led Robinsons local was given a recent refurbishment and provides plenty of space with a number of comfortable seating arrangements. The three cask beers were Robinsons Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde and Trooper when I last visited. If food is required, I would recommend the nearby Pride of the Peaks, which had a single cask of Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker when I last dropped by. There’s a good chippy opposite, too.
For full pub details, including opening times, visit camra.org.uk/pubs.