February's Wander — Something old, something new in Glossop

Unusually we will be travelling on Monday, this is to fit the opening times of one pubs, who have Tuesday as their closing day and Wednesday as a late opening day. Several other contenders for a visit don't open until 4pm or later, so unless we were to visit in the evening [not on in February] we are a little hemmed in.

Before even reaching our first pub we must doff our hats to a local big wig, Henry Howard, who financed the spur line from Dinting Viaduct to Howard Town, over his own land and at his own expense. He then sold it to the Sheffield, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Railway (later Great Central). It cost him £15,244 10s 10d (equivalent to £1,900,000 in 2023), formally opening on 30 June 1845. Were it not for him the line from the Great Central's main line to London (the abandoned Woodhead route) is unlikely to have been built and we would be walking the last mile or so.

We open this Wander at the ever reliable Wetherspoon's outlet in Glossop, the Smithy Fold. This could be considered something both old and new at the same time! It is a conversion (something new) of a former cotton mill, Bridge End Mill (something old). Built in the 19th Century, with later alterations, but not enough to stop it being listed by High Peak Borough (entry number 1384302). The bridge the mill was named after was replaced (in a revised position) in 1837, so that gives a latest date for the mill's erection. Prior to becoming a pub parts of the building were used as a tourist information office. For more interesting 'Glossop' facts there is a facts page on the Wetherspoon's website here, but their interpretation of Glossop includes as far afield as Hayfield and Broadbottom!

We now need to return towards the station to Henry Street, where we will catch the 390 bus for the 10 minute ride to Old Glossop. A 15 (or so) minute walk through Manor Park is an alternative for the energetic (and well insulated).

We alight the bus at the appropriatly named 'Oposite Queen's Arms' bus stop, from where we vist, yes you've got it, the Queen's Arms. This is a new building for Old Glossop, but has still been around for a centaury or so. It is everything you would expect of a traditional pub, good food and beer. Food is available (up to 2:30pm today) and the upstairs Indian restaurant (open 5.30pm) offers excellent meals (if you wish to wait!). Four regular and up to two guest ales are on the bar, all of which merits its inclusion in the Good Beer Guide.

As the return bus is notorious for failing to meet its scheduled timings, it is probably best to keep an eye on its progress here: https://bustimes.org/services/390-shire-hill-hospital-glossop-whitfield#map

Back in (new) Glossop we are heading towards another new pub in an old (but newer than Bridge End Mill) building. Bar 2 (or as I like to call it after its recent expansion in to the premise next door, Bar 2½!) Though the main bar of this micropub is snug, there is still room for six hand pulls with five ever changing beers typically from local breweries, with Bradwell Farmers Blonde being an almost permanent offering. Of note are the traditional pub games available (cards, dominoes) along with the retro video games table. So I may at last achieve my ambition and see an outbreak of cribbage and 5s & 3s (don't panic, instructions and tutoring if required). Pity the video game isn't the original Pong, but is a form of Space Invaders.

We now need to recall that eighties British Rail slogan and let the train take the strain to our next venue, with departures at 22 and 52 past the hour (there is a bus for those who need to tick the 341 route/service at 3:03, 4:15 and 5:07pm).

Alighting at Broadbottom station, it is a brisk 5 minute walk to the Harewood Arms. Rescued from Enterprise Inns over ten years ago, it is still an independent family owned freehouse (at time of typing). Due to the owner wishing to retire, it is planned to transition to a community run establishment along the lines of the Northumberland Arms in Marple Bridge. Also accommodated in the cellar is the Green Mill Brewery, which accounts for two of the four beers on the bar. This again is on the market, so if you want a hobby...

On entering at this time of the year you are likely to be greeted by not one, but two real fires! That's what I call a warm welcome. Trains back to Manchester are at (as near as damn it) the hour and the half. Should you arrive to find the Manchester bound train is cancelled, jump on the Hadfield bound train (also at approximately the hour and the half) and 'go around the circle', as this will be the next Manchester bound train. This wheeze is much better than sitting in the cold for half an hour (though rushing back to the Harewood Arms and downing an extra beer is another option!)