Visiting Old Glossop: what to see, eat and drink
Old Glossop is the original village of Glossop, on the eastern edge of the town at the foot of the moors. Its two churches, market cross and stone cottages were here long before most of the mills. This is a short guide to what to see, where to walk, and where to eat and drink.
Things to see
All Saints parish church
Old Glossop's parish church has medieval origins, though most of what stands today is nineteenth and early twentieth century. The tower and spire were paid for by the Duke of Norfolk in 1855. The chancel was funded by Isaac and Harriet Jackson, of the Hawkshead belt-fastener works, and completed in 1924, two years after Isaac's death. If the doors are open, it is well worth a look inside.
All Saints Catholic Church
Old Glossop has a second All Saints: the Roman Catholic church, built in 1836 for the 12th Duke of Norfolk — the Howards, lords of the manor, were a Catholic family — and the first Catholic church in the area. Designed by M. E. Hadfield and T. G. Weightman, it is a handsome neo-classical building in gritstone, Grade II listed, as are its gates and walls and the presbytery, Royle House.
The market cross
The Old Cross probably dates from the fifteenth century: an octagonal shaft on a square plinth, with a cross added to the top in 1912. It stands in what was the village's small market place, surrounded by old stone cottages.
The village
Old Glossop is a conservation area of gritstone cottages, narrow lanes and cobbles around Church Street, Church Street South, Hall Street (now Manor Park Road) and Shepley Street. Among the oldest buildings is the Bull's Head on Church Street, built as a weaver's house around 1605.
Manor Park
Manor Park was the grounds of the old Glossop Hall, bought by the borough in 1927 as a public park. It covers about sixty acres of gardens, woodland and lakes, with a miniature railway, play areas and sports grounds, and is reached through a gateway at the foot of Old Glossop.
Walks
Doctor's Gate
Doctor's Gate is the old packhorse route out of Old Glossop over the moors, climbing up to meet the Pennine Way. It takes its name from Dr John Talbot, vicar of Glossop in the late fifteenth century. The Snake Pass (the A57) and the high moors of Bleaklow are close by.
Things to do
Clay shooting
The Old Glossop Clay Shooting Ground is a club registered with the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) and holds English Sporting clay competitions on Sundays. For current days and times, and whether newcomers are welcome, contact the club or the CPSA.
Eat and drink
For a small village, Old Glossop has a good choice: three pubs, an Indian restaurant and a café, all within a few minutes' walk of each other.
The Bull's Head, 102 Church Street
One of the oldest pubs in the area. The building began around 1605 as a weaver's house, was rebuilt and extended around 1783 and later became a pub; it is Grade II listed, and the trustees of the turnpike road held meetings here. Once a Robinsons house known for its curries, it was saved from being turned into housing by a campaign of Old Glossop residents, and is now a cosy village pub again.
The Queens Arms, 1 Shepley Street
At the bottom of Church Street South, the Queens became an alehouse under that name in 1837. It is a traditional pub with a range of real ales, a beer garden, and a welcome for walkers coming down off the moors, and it serves pub food.
Queen Spice, upstairs at the Queens Arms
An Indian restaurant above the pub, well regarded locally — you can have a drink downstairs first. It takes bookings and does takeaways.
The Wheatsheaf, Wellgate
A traditional Peak District pub opposite the council car park on Wellgate, known for its food: a short menu but generous portions, with Sunday lunches a speciality.
Shepley's, 2–4 Shepley Street
A riverside café serving tea, coffee and vegetarian snacks and meals, with vegan and gluten-free options and seats outside. It is usually open in the daytime from Wednesday to Saturday.
The Royal Oak, 275 Sheffield Road
Just outside the village on the A57, near Cowbrook. The alehouse was built by Joshua Shepley, who took out his first alehouse licence in 1818. After several years closed, it has been bought by JW Lees and is being brought back into use after a major refurbishment — check before visiting.
Old pubs, now houses
The village once had more. The Talbot Inn and the Hare and Hounds were both on Manor Park Road (formerly Hall Street), and the first house on Hope Street was the Greyhound, known locally as “the little dog”. All three are private homes now.
Getting there
Old Glossop is a short walk east of Glossop town centre, a little under a mile. There is a council car park on Wellgate, opposite the Wheatsheaf.
More about the area
- Old Glossop: the original village
- Cowbrook Mill, Glossop: 1801 to 1898
- Cowbrook House, Cowbrook Farm and Cowbrook Avenue — on cowbrook.com