This haunted spot in Scouthead is this week's Pub of the Week and has the oldest pub licence in Saddleworth.
The pub, which would later become known as The Old Original, started its life way back in 1722 as a rural alehouse on the old turnpike road linking Lancashire and Yorkshire.
The road was a major moorland route between the counties, and was used by coaches, carriers and travellers long before modern roads were built.
Over the decades and across the 19th century, the alehouse adapted to these shifts in transport and trade.
At times it has been known by other names, such as ‘Cart and Sandbag’ and later ‘The Rose and Crown’, reflecting local economic activity, including quarrying, around Scouthead.
When a new turnpike was built and attracted most of the traffic, the then-owner, John Buckley, set up a new inn, The Star Inn, on that busy road and left a neighbour to run the old alehouse.
Despite reduced passing trade, the older building survived and, in 1871, began to be widely known locally as The Old Original, a name which it has carried to its modern era.
Across its 300-year history, the pub has had only around 24 landlords, with 13 of those coming from just three periods of family ownership.
It is now run by Richard Harrop, taking over from his parents, Tom and Jannette Harrop, and just to keep it in the family, Richard’s son, Harry, is the current assistant manager, which they say is an indication of its ties with the local community.
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The pub also has spooky stories in its past, with the landlady in 1978, Vera Marner, telling tales of how she had been seeing the same ghost for more than five years, flitting across the same space in the pub each time.
After a psychic told Mrs Marner that the apparition's initials were 'EJ', research revealed a former employee had taken her own life on the neighbouring farm where she lived.
Her name was Eliza Jane MacKay, and it is believed she haunts the pub.
Speaking to The Oldham Times, the landlords said: "The Old Original pride ourselves on offering no-nonsense, wholesome, high-quality food and excellent value for money.
"No 'Small Plates' or 'Light Choices' here; customers do not leave hungry!
"With an open fire on colder nights and candlelit tables, the restaurant creates a warm and cosy atmosphere for every guest.
"The hostelry is proud to have a high percentage of returning customers, a true testament to the quality of food, service and unique atmosphere."
The restaurant has a large range of menu choices, including signature dishes such as roasted belly pork and lamb henry.
The pub opens every evening and all day on weekends, and runs several offers.
Some of the deals include £10 curries on curry night Thursdays, a fixed price seasonal menu, which is only £17 for two courses and £20 for three, and a tapas night with five dishes for £25.
The pub also refuses to raise prices for special evenings such as New Year's Eve and Christmas.
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