Rail Ale Trail

The walk as shown (in green) mainly follows roads as these are
usually the easiest routes between the pubs. However there will be
alternative routes using footpaths and bridleways, and some of
these are also shown (in blue).
From New Mills Central station, it’s a short walk up the hill to where
you’ll find the bus station, and just across from there:

1 THE PRIDE OF THE PEAKS (59 Market Street)
Facebook: @PrideOfThePeaks 01663 745243
A fitting place to start as it was built as ‘The Railway Hotel’ in 1865
by the London & Midland Railway. The ‘Peaks’ is open all week
from 9am or 10am to 11pm for coffee, food (including hearty
breakfasts) and alcoholic beverages. Usually 2-3 cask ales which
might include a Black Sheep or a Jennings often alongside
something more unusual.
Across the lane from the back of the Peaks is:

2 THE PITS (off Rock Mill Lane)
Facebook: @Rock Mill Brewery 01663 743999
The ‘no-frills’ tap for the adjacent Rock Mill Brewery, The Pits is
currently only open Mon and Tues 5pm to 8pm, serving three or
four of Rock Mill’s own ales plus a lager and cider in-a-box. No
food.
Back up onto Market Street and a few doors on from the Peaks is:

3 BEER SHED (47b Market Street)
Facebook: @beershednewmills 01663 742005
New Mills’ first micropub (and bottle-shop) and already an
institution. Four handpumps and six keg lines offer an everchanging
and varied selection of light and dark beers, usually
including at least one from local breweries Rock Mill or Torrside.
Open 4pm to 10.30pm Weds and Thurs; from 2pm Fri, Sat and Sun.
No food.
A bit further along again is:

4 ROYAL OAK (25 Market Street)
Facebook :@theroyaloaknewmills 01663 744415
One of the surviving Robinsons’ houses in New Mills, it has been
recently refurbished, is bright and airy with plenty of room, and is
generally open all week from midday to 11pm. Two or three of the
core Robinson’s range (Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde etc) might be
accompanied by a guest ale from elsewhere. A couple of keg ales
might include one from Manchester’s Seven Bro7hers. No food.
Carry on to the foot of the hill at Spring Bank and then bear slightly
right down Hight Street, one of the original roads in the town
before the expansion of the 1830s. Note the carvings by the door of
the former Dog & Partridge at No 24 before dropping down the hill to:

5 MASONS ARMS (57 High Street)
Facebook @masonsarmsnewmills 01663 635466
When Robinsons closed the Masons’ – the last of the many that
used to line the High Street – there was sufficient strength of
feeling amongst the locals that it was re-opened
as a free house by the team behind the
Printers Arms (see below). You’ll still find
Robinson’s Unicorn, something from
Storm Brewing and a couple of guests on
the pumps. The pub is open all week
from midday to 11pm. No food

Map 1-5, 11,12,13 & 15

It’s a fair old hike up (in every sense) to the next pub, which has
amazing views over the top of New Mills and across to Kinder. From
the bottom of High Street continue up Dyehouse Lane to the former
White Hart, then across to Mellor Road. About a mile up the hill is:

6 PACK HORSE (Mellor Road)
Facebook: @packhorse.newmills 01663 742365
As the name suggests this pub has been here for a very long time,
and while it is well-known for its recently expanded
accommodation, and its good pub food, the ever-changing three
handpumps often offer something you’ll rarely see anywhere else.
A couple of outside tables by the front door offer the best views
but there’s a large beer garden out the back which is a real sun
trap. The pub is open all week from midday to 11pm.
Back down to a crossroads, bear left down Watford Road and left
at the end; then about half a mile along, in Thornsett, you’ll find:

7 PRINTERS ARMS (Thornsett)
Facebook: @theprintersarmsthornsett 01663 744650
This former Robinsons’ house has been a free house since around
2010 and the three handpumps will often include a Joseph Holt or
a Storm beer. Opens from 4.30pm Mon to Fri, but from midday at
weekends. No food (unless either of the Manchester footie teams
are on the big screen !).
Carry on along the road through Thornsett for just under a mile to:

8 THE SYCAMORE (Sycamore Road)
Facebook: @sycamoreinnbirchvale 01663 743561
With lovely views across the River Sett, this inn is increasingly
renowned for its accommodation and good food, but its three
handpumps offer succour to the thirsty walker too; often one from
Bradfield Brewery. Open from 5pm Mon to Fri, from midday Sat to
Sun, plus lunchtimes (midday to 2pm) Weds to Fri..
Carry on along Station Road till you reach the junction with the
main Hayfield-New Mills Road, and:

9 THE GROUSE (57 New Mills Road)
Facebook: @thegrousebirchvale 01663 743262
*** MAY CLOSE DOWN DURING 2019 ***
A former Robinsons’ house that is now as much a Chinese
restaurant (and takeaway) as it is a pub. Although free of the
Robbies’ tie, the two or three cask ales on offer will often still be
from that brewery. Opens from 5pm every day but closed Tues.
Head left out of the pub door to head back to New Mills, passing
the former Vine Inn en route (opposite the cricket ground). On your
right in Low Leighton, past the almshouses and former hospital, is:

10 THE HARE & HOUNDS (Low Leighton Road)
Facebook: @hareandhoundsnewmills 01663 743646
Large Robinsons’ house built originally by the local lord of the
manor to house his game-shooting guests, that also serving as the
local magistrates’ court. This refurbished Robinsons’ house serves
two or three cask ales from the brewery’s core and seasonal
ranges. Open from 5.30pm Mon to Fri and 3pm at weekends. No
food.
Continue into New Mills, passing St George’s Church and then just
past the Co-op, join the path into the Torrs gorge below the town.
Cross the wooden bridge just before ‘Archie’ the Torrs hydro, and
then the stone bridge just after, before climbing up to:

Map 6-10 & 14

11 THE ROCK TAVERN (Wirksmoor Road)
Facebook: @rocktavernnewmills 01663 742885
Another refurbed Robinsons’ house with a good local feel, and as
close to the Torrs as you’re likely to need. Two handpumps with
Robinsons’ beers are always available. Open from 2pm Mon to
Weds, and from midday the rest of the week.
Walk up Wirksmoor Road and at the top head left down the hill a
short way to:

12 THE BEEHIVE (67 Albion Road)
Facebook: @beehivenewmills 01663 742087
Originally at the top of Wirksmoor Road, the pub was rebuilt here
around 1900, and receives visitors from the nearby Peak Forest
Canal. Three handpumps will often include one from Storm
Brewing. Open from 5pm Mon to Thurs, but from 3pm Fri to Sun.
No Food.
Continue back up the hill and over the canal bridge (Torrside
Brewing is across to your left) to reach New Mills Newtown station.
We should briefly mention three other establishments:

13 The Fox Inn, Brookbottom ( Fox Inn 0161 427 1634) Facebook: @foxinnbrookbottom
is a Robinsons’ house in the hills at the very western edge of New
Mills (and Derbyshire) and is on the popular Goyt Way. Two or
three cask ales from the Robinsons’ stable and pub grub. Open all
day Fri to Sun, but often lunchtimes only Mon to Thurs; check first.

14 Little Mill, Rowarth ( Little Mill Inn 01663 747678)
is at the northern end of the parish, about a mile beyond the Pack
Horse. A large inn with waterwheel and children’s play area, it
majors on food, and usually has at least one beer on handpump,
often from Jennings. Generally open from midday every day.

15 Torrside Brewing ( facebook:@torrside 07539 149175)
is canal-side at the end of Hibbert Street, just below Newtown
station, and although it doesn’t have a regular tap-room, its
occasional weekend open days are legendary affairs.

WALK FROM NEW MILLS CENTRAL STATION TO NEW MILLS
NEWTOWN STATION, VIA THE TOWN’S PUBLIC HOUSES,
SAMPLING FINE BEERS AND FOOD ALONG THE WAY.
WHERE NEW MILLS ONCE BOASTED THIRTY-SIX PUBS, THESE
DAYS THE NUMBER IS MUCH REDUCED, EVEN THOUGH THE
QUALITY OF THE BEER IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST IT HAS
EVER BEEN. AS WITH MANY RURAL AND SEMI-RURAL
LOCATIONS, MODERN LIFE HAS TAKEN ITS TOLL ON THE PUBS,
WITH SUPERMARKETS, DRINK/DRIVE LAWS AND SMOKING
RESTRICTIONS ALL HAVING AN IMPACT.
DESPITE THIS, NEW MILLS ENJOYS AN EXCELLENT VARIETY OF
PUBS, FROM MICRO TO LARGE, MANAGED TO FREE HOUSE,
AND WITH MANY PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF FOOD
ALONGSIDE GREAT DRINKS AND THE FRIENDLIEST OF
ATMOSPHERES.
OPENING TIMES ARE CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINTING, BUT WE
SUGGEST YOU CHECK FACEBOOK OR PHONE AHEAD TO MAKE
SURE.
TOTAL DISTANCE AS SHOWN IS JUST UNDER SIX MILES.
WE CAUTION AGAINST DRINKING HEAVILY – RAILWAYS MIXED WITH
ALCOHOL IS A DANGEROUS BREW. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

Prepared by NEW MILLS WALKERS ARE WELCOME

2 thoughts on “Rail Ale Trail”

    1. Sorry this is not to your liking, this is an article we have shared from New Mills walkers are welcome. We have spent a considerable amount of time updating the core permanent pages, but do not update articles. IF you have any further feedback, do not hesitate to provide. Thanks VNM Team

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