Today’s extravaganza will be accomplished by hopping on and off the MetroLink Pink Line — Which is that you ask [unless you are a tram nerd] — That is the Rochdale line. The advertised meeting point is Victoria station tram stop, but people starting in the Didsbury environs may want to catch the tram all the way through. The plan is to catch a slightly earlier tram than is necessary to allow for late running of the trams – a situation which never happens does it! The Pink Line is based upon a railway route known as the Oldham Loop and here is a picture montage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePJImkDe6a4 of the line with a film from a rail excursion here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTeKZahry5s.

If the trams keep to time(!), we may have to re-enact a Monty Python ‘Ministry of Silly Walks’ sketch (watch here for ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2ViNJFZC8) in order to elongate the 5 minute walk to our first outlet into a 10 minute silly stroll.

Until the opening of our second venue, the Ashton Arms was probably Oldham town centre's premier outlet for real ale. Four real ales are usually on offer, many from local microbreweries. Housed in row of terraced buildings, but maybe not part of the terrace. The architecture does not match the buildings either side (see right), so is it an infill, or was it originally free standing with the adjacent buildings being erected later. Discuss. Whatever the answer inside is a welcoming pub, with real fires when required. Good value home-cooked food served daily should you require sustenance.

We now head across the south end of Town Square, glancing inquisitively at the three Egyptian(?) columns topped with owls to the new kid on the Oldham real ale scene, the Fox and Pine. With ten handpumps there must be something to suit everyone, without needing to trouble the five Bavarian Beer fonts. A dark beer is invariable on offer, and the house beer is advertised as Bass! No wonder it became CAMRA ROB's Pub Of The Year, succeeding its stablemate in 2022. The Fox & Pine is arranged on two floors, along with an outside drinking area which is unlikely to trouble us in February! The name is derived from the football teams from the home town of the two owners, namely Leicester and Oldham. This confused me somewhat as Leicester City are known as ‘The Foxes’, but Oldham are known as ‘The Latics’, and the bird on their logo is an owl so why pine?. Further investigation reveals that Oldham Athletic began with the founding of Pine Villa F.C. in 1895. Mystery solved.

We are now off to the tram again for the 2:05 tram and a short(ish) trip from Oldham Central to Shaw and Crompton.

Walking up the road from the tram stop soon brings us to the traffic lights on Milnrow Road, with the Squiffy Squirrel just to the right on the other side. This relatively new (opening November 2025) micro pub offers three hand pumped real ales and two real ciders on gravity in a comfortable and warm atmosphere. For the lovers of continental offering there is a select offering on font. It is privately owned and run by the folks who are also involved with running the Angel pub in Dukinfield. There is intention to open a brewery which will provide the Squiffy Squirrel with a house beer. This was planned to open March 2026, but had not materialised when I visited. I was assured it was coming soon – I wonder if that will be the name of their first brew!

Because it is across the road, and does have an outdoor drinking area (figures crossed – it is June), we will now cross over and visit the Shay Wake, the local Wetherspoons. The building has a modern interior with American diner style seating, in contrast to traditional tables. The name is derived from the local dialect for Shaw (Shay) and holiday (Wakes), though us from over’t ‘ill would say Wakes. Should anyone be planning to visit the local Playhouse theatre, discounted food is available.

Back to the tram stop ready for the 4:05 tram all the way through to Hollinwood, where it arrives at 4:24, from where our final destination can be spied.

When the local area was redeveloped in the 1990s the Railway Hotel survived and now proudly stands alone. Frustratingly very obvious from the tram stop, but due to the access route, seems to take forever to reach! It serves four ales, two regulars and two constantly changing guest. There is one large room with the bar area and a further small dining area.

There are many trams back towards Victoria, with the journey taking 20 minutes, all travelling onwards to East Didsbury and taking 51 minutes.