Pub Walks with Chris Morris
Mossley to Greenfield

PLEASE REMEMBER: Details accurate at time of writing

Mossley is a popular walking destination due to the stunning hill scenery nearby and the ease of accessing it, using the fast train service from Manchester Piccadilly. This pub walk uses the picturesque Huddersfield Canal to take us from Mossley to nearby Greenfield, and showcases some of the best views on offer. Fine pubs feature at the walk start and at the finish, with two others mid-way to keep an eye on.

Train Information

Eighteen minutes is all it takes to transport you from the city centre to Mossley. Train services run half-hourly during peak times, Monday to Saturday. This is reduced to hourly during off-peak times and Sundays. The train ticket to buy is a return to Greenfield.

The Walk

This three-mile walk is straightforward and flat, as it uses the towpath of the Huddersfield Canal. The path is good but can get muddy after wet weather, so appropriate footwear is advised. All pubs are dog-friendly.

Gillery After exiting Mossley Railway Station, for those after a pre-walk pub, you don’t have to venture far. Turning right and walking over the railway bridge takes us to the Gillery. In 2019, the impressive, 19th century stone building was expertly converted from a former bank. The grand exterior is reflected inside, showcasing the high ceiling with intricate carvings, oversized windows and wood panelling. The use of subtle lighting gives a cosy atmosphere, with the seating surrounding the log burner proving particularly popular during the winter months. As well as regularly serving pizzas at peak times, the pub often has events on, including quizzes and live music. Often featured in the Good Beer Guide, the cask beers were Millstone Tiger Rut and Carlsberg Britvic Wainwright Gold when I last dropped by.

From the Gillery’s front door, retrace your steps past the railway station and then continue straight ahead, crossing Manchester Road at the lights to go down Mill Lane. At the bottom, take the road to the left and cross over Two Mills Lane. We now cross over two bridges, first the River Tame and then the canal. To reach the canal towpath, cross over to the right side of the road and at the end of a stone wall, take a right to go back on yourself, with the stone wall now on your right. On reaching the canal, turn right to walk under the bridge and follow the canal towpath for half a mile, keeping the water on your left. At bridge 88 and lock 14W we cross to the opposite side of the canal, with the water now on our right. After another half mile we pass Roaches Lock. Unfortunately, this popular food-led Thwaites pub had stopped selling cask beer when I last visited. Hopefully this will be reintroduced in the near future. The interior has recently been refurbished to a high standard with a log burner taking centre stage.

Tollemache Arms Continuing along the towpath for a further 300 yards brings us to the Tollemache Arms, which has its own access from the canal up wooden steps. This small end-of-terrace local has been given a one-star heritage rating – a pub interior of special national historic interest. However, the future of this wet-led gem may be uncertain. I do hope it survives as it offers the ultimate in cosy welcomes and is a true home from home for the regulars. When I last called by, the two Robinsons cask beers were Unicorn and Old Tom.

Wellington Inn Back on the canal towpath, continue as before and walk under the road bridge. At bridge 86 and lock 16W we cross to the opposite side of the canal, with the water now on our left. Continue for just over a mile until we reach bridge 80. Here we climb the steps to the main road to arrive in Greenfield. Turning right and walking along the pavement for 200 yards brings us to the Wellington Inn, a friendly and welcoming end-of-terrace local that is the perfect finishing point for our walk. Featuring in every Good Beer Guide since 2013, the cask beer always excels, and with such comfortable and slightly rustic surroundings, it might be hard to leave. When I last visited, the five cask beers were from Ossett and Millstone, with Wainwright also available. Traditional pub food from ‘Stockpot’, reasonably priced, is served on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Railway Inn Retracing your steps back, then continuing along the main road which twists uphill, brings us to Greenfield Railway Station. If further refreshment is required, the Railway Inn opposite is perfectly positioned. This traditional local is a popular stop-off on the Transpennine Real Ale Trail and attracts all ages. Dogs are welcome in the cosy tap room, which features a real fire and photos of old Saddleworth. Also featured in the Good Beer Guide, the central bar serves up to five cask beers, which were from Millstone, Timothy Taylor, Ossett and Vocation when last sampled. The pub has specialised in live music for many years, and this is often featured from Thursday to Sunday.

For full pub details, including opening times, visit camra.org.uk/pubs.

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