Three Oldham pubs named in CAMRA Manchester guidebook

Released by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the book features more than 200 pubs from across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

It also offers a detailed history of beer brewing in Manchester, dating back to the eighteenth century, and celebrates the region’s new independent brewers, such as Cloudwater and Track. 

The second edition of the book is about to be released on April 2, with dozens of new pubs and several new areas added to the line-up.

It has been written by Manchester-based freelance photographer and writer Matthew Curtis, who also authored the 2021 CAMRA book ‘Modern British Beer’.

He said: "I am really excited to unveil the second edition of Manchester's Best Beer, Pubs and Bars.

“The guide is the result of an additional 18 months of research based on feedback from readers of the first edition, plus lots more exploration around Greater Manchester.

“Featuring an additional 50 pubs, several areas are also expanded, including Stockport, Wigan and Altrincham.

“New areas added to the guide include Cheadle, Middleton and Hyde. I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and I hope it serves you well as you explore the best city for beer and pubs in the United Kingdom."

Which Oldham pubs are included?

‘Manchester’s Best Beer, Pubs, and Bars’ guidebook describes Oldham as one of the “hardest hit areas in terms of pub closures”.

While there may not be as many Oldham pubs in the guide compared to other boroughs, “what it does have is very good indeed”, Curtis adds.

The three pubs named in the book are The Ashton Arms, The Fox and Pine and Royton Mill Tap.

The Fox and Pine, which has been the winner of multiple CAMRA awards over the years, has been praised as “a sensational beer destination, one of the best in Greater Manchester, and makes the trip to Oldham worthwhile on its own.”

The other town centre pub featured in the book is The Ashton Arms, which has been described as an “endearingly likeable, unfussy boozer”.

Royton Mill Tap has also been praised for its focus on local breweries, such as Wakey Wakey and Trail Brew Co.

Peter Alexander, Chairman of Rochdale, Oldham and Bury CAMRA said: "It is great to see that Oldham Town Centre pubs recognised in Manchester’s Best Beer, Pubs, and Bars - many of which also feature in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide too, as voted for by our members! An even bigger feather in Oldham's cap is that the Fox and Pine - the Oldham Town Pub of the Year is also the overall Branch champion."

The ‘Manchester’s Best Beer, Pubs, and Bars’ book is available to pre-order now via the CAMRA website.