Places of interest in and around Saddleworth

Brownhill Country Side Centre

This hugely popular centre is situated right in the heart of Saddleworth between Dobcross and Uppermill.  It is surrounded by some truly dramatic and rugged Pennine scenery.  A large picnic area has been provided outside for visitors, while children will enjoy exploring the special nature garden.  Nearby a small two floored building shows exhibits of local wildlife and history as well as plenty of information on Saddleworth itself.  Lots of info on walks, events and regional arts and crafts as well as local flora and fauna displays.  Entrance is free through the cafe and upstairs.

Uppermill

Uppermill is one of several villages that make up the borough of Saddleworth, it lies on the River tame in a valley amongst the South Pennines.  It is eleven and a half miles north east of Manchester and forms an urban district with the next village of ‘Dobcross’, together these villages have a combined population of 7,500.Uppermill is generally regarded as the most popular village in Saddleworth due to its central position in the borough and its easy access to the M62 motorway just a few miles to the north which is the gateway to Leeds and other West Yorkshire locations.  The village is very popular with tourists (usually in the summer) and can get quite busy.  There are lots of local shops and plenty of pubs and cafes dotted around as well as several public footpaths leading to Pennine country walks.  Local annual events include the Brass Bands contest and charity beer walk.

 Feeding The Ducks

The ducks that hang around the canal near the museum are a well fed lot.  You can buy the duck food for 35p in the museum and then feed the ducks by the water.

Canal Boat Tour

Canal boat trips along the Huddersfield narrow canal are available from outside the museum in Uppermill. They last 1 hour and go through two locks. The Dunge booth lock and the Limekiln lock.

Saddleworth Museum

The museum stands in a great location next to the Huddersfield canal where boat rides leave from.  A small charge is made for entrance to the museum as it is independent and run as a registered charity.

The collection includes pieces from prehistoric times up to the present day. There are also photographs, maps and parish records.

Saddleworth was at the centre of the industrial revolution and there are many artifacts and equipment including machinery, tools and domestic items going back to that age.

To compliment the main exhibition there are constant exhibitions.

Llama and Donkey Trekking centre

Higher Oxhey Farm in Denshaw, high on Saddleworth moor, is home to our own Llama Trekking Centre and Animal Farm. Over the years we have expanded the farm and it now happily houses rescue donkeys and rear breed American Mammoth Jackstock donkeys.

In brief we run treks from our farm in Saddleworth whereby groups of walkers get to see the fantastic moors and visit the delightful villages that make up Saddleworth, all this while leading our lovely llamas, which in turn carry their belongings.

There is a choice of routes and destinations and our walks can be designed to accommodate picnics or stops at local coffee shops and country pubs. The duration of the walks and difficulty level can also be tailored to suit the walkers needs and some are particularly suited to children.

Our llamas have been trained to be comfortable with people and they are very gentle animals. They are very quiet but sometimes make a delightful humming noise when talking to each other.

Dovestone Reservoir

Dovestone Reservoir was built in 1968 to collect water from the surrounding moorlands. The main contractor was A.E. Farr (Civil Engineers) of Westbury, Wiltshire. The proposed construction was opposed by local mill owners, who claimed the damming of the river would cut off their water supply. As a result, a tunnel was built higher up in the hillside to bypass the reservoir.

Local myth has it the reservoir is named after a collection of stones on the skyline that look like doves, along the edge of ‘Dove Stone Moss’. Another version is that in the local dialect some words of celtic origin (dubh for black) were still in usage when Ordnance Survey staff recorded and thus fixed the place name. To the right on the adjacent skyline of ‘Hoarstone Edge’ is a group of small crags that are known locally as “The Indian’s Head” due to their resemblance to an Indian‘s face that is looking upwards, probably derived from the resemblance to the image on the reverse of the early twentieth century American coin known as the Indian’s Head Penny. To see these stones, walk along the dam wall towards the car park and look up the hillside when you come to the corner of the dam wall and the tourist information sign. A similar rocky outcrop to the north’, overlooking Greenfield reservoir is shown on the Ordnance Survey maps as ‘Raven Stone Brow.

Pots and Pans

Pots and Pans is a locally well-known hill overlooking the village. It is the site of the Saddleworth war memorial (a Grade II listed building), constructed in 1923. Approximately 1,200 feet (370 m) above sea level, it is visible from all the seven villages that comprise Saddleworth.  A service is held there on Remembrance Sunday each year.

This is only accessible on foot for the more able bodied walker, but the views are well worth the hike if you have the stamina!