Diggle Hotel, Oldham

The Diggle Hotel is an attractive and statuesque large stone building with a number of out buildings which are, presumably, used as hotel rooms. Don't be put off by the fact that it's a hotel as the bar area, to the right as you enter, feels more like a traditional boozer with various bar stools and 2 or 3 tables set aside for the drinkers. The larger area to the left is all laid out for eating and even on a damp Tuesday evening was fairly full. It's a friendly and comfortable spot for either a beer or some food. Beers were TT Landlord, Millstone Tiger Rut, Black Sheep and Golden Sheep with the two former being in good condition. The beer and the food are both good so it's worth a stop here if you're in the area.

At the edge of the village and close to both the moors and the western portal of Standedge Tunnel,the pub is popular with walkers,boaters and a knot of locals who use the bar stools ,entertained by the landlord who embibes while recounting his amuzing stories,proper old school.The fine stone building dating from 1525 has letting rooms while the wooden floored bar is an open plan lounge with tables set for dining to the left,where there is a warming range,while the bar and a small alcove are to the right.There was a very friendly welcome from the barmaids who also fit the bill in a nicely traditional way. Food is a draw in here,and the portion sizes were generous and well received by those visitors who have been active outdoors.My steak was well cooked,substantial with lots of trimmings and reasonably priced with a bottle of wine thrown in if ordering two.You can also dine anywhere you like ,and having settled close to the bar for some preprandial beers,that's were we ate. The bar has five handpumps with Millstone Tiger Rut (£2.80) and TT Landlord (£3.20) as regulars ,both in fine condition.Two further pumps were taken up by the less exciting Black Sheep and Golden Sheep,with one pump unused on our Tuesday evening visit. This is very much a pub rather than a hotel dining room and is well used by locals,friendly and chatty.I would most definately return and can see no reason why it shouldn't be included in future GBG's,on the basis of what I sampled.