The Junction Inn, Denshaw

The Junction Inn

Huddersfield Road, Denshaw, OL3 5SE
01457 874265

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for this pub before. I thought I had, but I can't find an entry for it. I have been here a few times, since it is right in the centre of Denshaw village, which is the start or end point for a lot of my walks in the Pennines. The building dates from the 18th century and was originally a coaching inn at the junction of toll roads running between Oldham, Huddersfield, Rochdale and Ripponden. These days it is a rather upmarket restaurant pub with a lot of original features inside. 

UPDATE 2021: There is still a car park at the back but the bus route has changed, now it's the 356 Oldham to Ashton-under-Lyne that passes the pub, runs every hour. Due to the pandemic restrictions, it now has more tables outside at the front of the building. Otherwise, it's as pleasant and relaxing as ever.

ambience - 4
Pleasant, relaxing, the piped music is not obtrusive.

décor - 4
tasteful and uncluttered, comfortable seating

service - 5
Couldn't be more helpful

ale - 1
JW Lees

features - 4
dog friendly
children permitted if they are with adults who are dining, up to 6pm
serves food, nicely varied pub grub menu
wi fi  

toilets - 4

Score 22 out of 30

The Rams Head Inn, Denshaw

The Rams Head Inn, Ripponden Road, Denshaw OL3 5UN
01457 874802

Dowry Reservoir opposite the Rams Head

Literally a hilltop pub, almost at the highest point of the Ripponden Road out of the village of Denshaw, and close to the county border but on the Yorkshire side. On one side you can see Piethorne Reservoir and beyond it, Rochdale. On the other side there are views across to Dowry Reservoir and Castleshaw Moor. This is a bleak and snowbound location in the winter, but at snowless times of year  there are spectacular walks round about. The pub can be found on OS Map OL21 at SD118979.

UPDATE: revised 2021

Easy to follow bridle path to Piethorne Reservoir

Readycon Dean reservoir

The Rams Head Inn

The Rams Head is best described as a restaurant with a bar, rather than a pub. It serves food from 9am to 2.30pm and again from 6pm till 9pm, but is open all day for drinks and doesn't mind walkers as long as they take off their boots (though I haven't seen a boot rack anywhere so I don't know where you're expected to put them). It has Black Sheep and Timothy Taylor beer but puts more emphasis on selling overpriced wine.. It has a big range of different vintages, in a wine rack that reaches from floor to ceiling on one side of the bar. 

   There is a farm shop selling local produce attached to it.

UPDATE 2021: Walkers are no longer required to take off their boots, and the service has deteriorated slightly. It gets busy, you'd best book in advance if you want a meal.

Ambience - 3
decor - 3
varies depending which of the three rooms you're in. It's mostly well maintained but one room has shabby seating

ales - 2

service - 2

features - 3
Serves food lunchtime and evening
Nice beer garden at the back with a view over Rooden Reservoir
The farm shop. It's in the same building and stocks artisanal and local produce, and it has a tea room if you don't fancy the pub/restaurant.

toilets - 3

Score 16 out of 30

On the inside, Rams Head Inn