The Ladysmith, Ashton under Lyne

 

The Ladysmith

54 Wellington Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6DD

TEL: 

Originally called The Railway. It was closed for a while but reopened in March 2024.

decor - 2

drab in grey and off-white

ambience - 2

Too loud piped music

service - 4

real ale - 0

features - 1

TV screens

toilets - 4

pristine

Score 13 out of 30

The Wharf

The Wharf, Caroline Street, Stalybridge  SK15 1PP

0161 338 2662

Nice pub in a nice location next to Huddersfield Narrow Canal, a few minutes' walk from the centre of Stalybridge. It is still family run, and has a homely, friendly atmosphere.

ambience - 4

decor - 4

pleasant and bright inside

service - 4

welcoming

ales - 2

always at least two cask ales, had Bombardier when I was last there

features - 2

small beer garden overloking the canal

acoustic folk music sessions once a month

toilet - 4

good, but a bit scruffier than the rest of the pub

Score 20 out of 30

The Roaches Lock

The Roaches Lock Inn, Manchester Road, Mossley, OL5 9BB

01457 837151

This is another canalside pub, just a little way along the canal in the Ashton direction from the Tollemache Arms. However, it is a restaurant rather than a pub.  It caters only for people who have come for a meal, the only place you can really sit down just for a drink is at one of the outside tables. It would be stretching the definition to call this a beer garden. The tables are in a paved space under a canopy, probably devised since the smoking ban to accommodate customers who smoke. But there's a good view of the canal.

I don't do reviews of pub food, but on the Sunday I was there, (in miserable weather) it was packed out with diners. If it's usually that popular, it suggests the food isn't bad. 

ambience - 4

decor - 3

pleasant atmosphere, lively without being noisy

ale - 4

four guest ales when I visited: Thwaites Original, Wainwrights, Lancaster Bomber, XXXB

Also does a big range of wines

service - 0

Sorry, but it does deserve 'nil points' for the service. Distinctly frosty, and for a second or two I wondered if I would be allowed to approach the bar closely enough to actually order a pint. I don't know the reason. It could be they don't like people in walking gear, but I saw no Dress Code notices. 

features - 1

serves food

One of the customers told me the place used to do live entertainment, but he isn't sure if it still does. If somebody who knows whether they do wants to post a comment, I'll add a point.

Toilets - 4

Pristine, but had run out of loo paper

Score 16 out of 30



The Tollemache Arms

The Tollemache Arms, 415 Manchester Road, Mossley OL5 9BG

01457 834555

Cosy canalside pub, on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It is one of four pubs in the country named after Baron Tollemache, whose claim to fame is that he was a long-standing Conservative MP for Cheshire, and the largest landowner in the county in the 1800s. He also built Peckforton Castle, (Peckforton Hills, Cheshire).
     
     The pub can be entered from the road, as in the photos, or from the canal towpath. Very much a regulars pub (I got stared at when I walked in; a sure sign they don't get many non-regulars dropping in). It's not unfriendly to walkers, though when it's crowded the small rooms mean you'll have a job finding somewhere to put your rucksack down.

Ambience - 3
decor - 2
Dark decor with wooden floors, makes it a bit gloomy, though it might look less so in sunshine (I've only managed to find this pub in the rain so far.)

ale - 0
service - 3
Friendly enough

features - 3
quiz at weekends
canalside beer garden
welcomes dogs and walkers

toilets - 4

Score 15 out of 30

The Q

The Q, Market Street, Stalybridge SK15 2AL

0161 303 9157

A homely, cosy pub, owned by Hydes brewery. Its claim to fame is that it is in the Guiness Book of Records for having the shortest name of any pub in England. It gets a low score, but that reflects that it's an average high street pub, not that it's a bad one. Worth dropping into, it has a friendlier atmosphere than most.

ambience - 3

decor - 3

dark wood, small bar area

service - 4

bar staff attentive and cheerful

ale - 0

no real ales

features - 0

Small pub, no space for pool tables or dartboard. Doesn't do food.

toilets - 3

one or two supplies had run out

Score 13 out of 30



The Dysarts Arms

The Dysarts Arms, Huddersfield Road, Mossley, Tameside OL5 9BT

01457 832103

Out on its own, near the top of the hills above Mossley village, this is an originally 17th century pub, with a partly modernised interior that has still retained most of the original features. Worth a special trip for the food and the view. Bus 350 Ashton-Manchester passes the front door. 

ambience - 3

decor - 4

Divided into four small rooms, which have low, beamed ceilings, cosy but not cramped. Comfortable seating, new, pale cream decor. Lively.

service - 3

ale - 3

July 2012: Unicorn, Jubilee ale, and one other

features - 3

children permitted

serves food

beer garden

toilets - 4

Score 20 out of 30

The Whitehouse, Stalybridge

The White House, 1 Water Lane, Stalybridge SK15 2AG

centre of town opposite the bus station

Painted (mostly) dazzling white on the outside, this pub has a dark wood interior that gives it a comfortable, homely feel. A nice pub to linger in, especially on a winter's evening. It has been selling ale since 1826 and was named The White House in 1837.

ambience - 4

decor - 3
well maintained; comfortable seating
 

service -5

fast and friendly

ale - 5

Wide range of real ales

features -3

serves food during the day
live music twice a week 
dogs welcomed

toilet -4

score 24 out of 30