MANY PEOPLE seem to think tourism to Saddleworth is a relatively modern idea but people have been visiting for leisure at least over the last couple of centuries.
Nowadays there is plenty to be enjoyed whether you are a visitor to the area or a local, including shops, a café culture, a museum, galleries, barge trips and not forgetting a good selection of pubs and restaurants.
However it is interesting to look at what the modern day visitors are missing from the past – and in some cases they certainly had a bit more variety.
In the most recent past the Alexander Mill, which was turned into a Craft Centre, was a very popular venue and attracted numerous locals as well as visitors to come into the area and in particular visitors to Uppermill.
One aspect that has changed with the age of the motor car is that prior to people having a car when they visited the area they had to walk around the district.
In June 1914 the local papers recorded that the good summer weather had attracted large crowds to the hills of Saddleworth ‘…..on Wednesday and Thursday especially. The people in a large number of cases walked from the various tram termini at Hadden’s, Roaches, and Lees, though smaller parties came by train and waggonette’.
Many of the farms on the hillsides offered the facilities of a drink, whether it was only a glass of milk or water being ‘corporation pop’ from the local reservoir or the nearest spring water.
Perhaps the earliest tea room in the area was the ‘Mountain Ash’ on Wharmton which is now the site of the clubhouse for Saddleworth Golf Club.
In the 1860s it was advertising itself as being ‘…..ten minutes’ walk from Greenfield Station. Offering First Rate Accommodation for Picnic and Pleasure Parties. Ample room for Rifle practice, upwards of 200yds range, Ale and Porter, etc., in bottle and draught and the best quality, Cigars, etc.’
The walker who ventured up Pots and Pans could enjoy the facilities of Yorns Hill Café which overlooked the Greenfield Valley and had been opened by the Saddleworth Refreshment Company in 1901.
To quote from the advert: ‘…..The building is nicely situated in the very heart of some of the most wild and picturesque scenery and it is well fitted up for its purpose. Yorns Hill is within comfortable reach of Greenfield Station, and commands pleasing and extensive views of around the district.’
It is interesting to note that the area around Pots and Pans rock was still at that time private land and a small part of it wasn’t opened until 1904.
It was also known as ‘Hill Tea Rooms’ and after closure the hut was moved down to Greenfield and served for some time as a workshop for Norman Broadbent.
If you wanted a bit more than tea rooms or cafes in June 1878 a Mr James Lawton opened his new pleasure grounds at Daisy Hill which was situated about 10 minutes’ walk from Delph.
They offered a number of facilities which included gardens to enjoy, a tent for dancing, swinging boats, and other refreshments and attractions.
In July 1898 a train with nearly 800 scholars arrived at Delph Station from Oldham and the party wended its way up the hill to also enjoy the splendid scenery and refreshing breezes. It would be interesting to find out more about this venue – over to you readers!
Look out for another day out in Saddleworth in a future issue. If you have any reminiscences of Summershades or Grotton Lido I would love to hear from you.
Contact Peter For, museum curator at Saddleworth Museum by calling 01457 874093.
