Exploring Saddleworth: The Pots And Pans Trek

The Pots and Pans walk in Saddleworth, Peak District National Park, is a popular walk for Greater Manchester residents as it is one of the closest walks in the Peaks to the city. The walk offers spectacular views, including the Manchester city skyline on a clear day. The name 'Pots and Pans' comes from the rock formations on the hills of Saddleworth, which feature indentations that resemble pots and pans. The walk is also notable for its war memorial, which was constructed in 1923 to honour the 259 people who died during the First World War from the villages below.

The Pots and Pans Walk: a 4-mile route from Dovestone Car Park and back

The Pots and Pans walk is a popular route for people in Greater Manchester as it is one of the closest walks in the Peaks to the city. The walk is located in the Peak District National Park, to the west of Dovestone Reservoir and above Uppermill. The route offers fantastic views, including the Manchester city skyline on a clear day.

Route instructions

• From Dovestone Car Park, turn right and walk around Dovestone Reservoir up to Binn Green Picnic Site.
• Cross the A635 and follow the Oldham Way.
• When you cross the road, you will see a stile on your right. Follow the path uphill.
• Look behind you to see views over Dovestone Reservoir and the moors.
• Follow the path towards the Pots and Pans War Memorial and the rocks.
• Return the same way or follow an alternative route down.

About the walk

The walk is named after the rock formations on the hills of Saddleworth, which have indentations resembling pots and pans. The rocks are also known as the 'Druids Stone' due to legends that the indentations were used to collect sacrificial blood. Another legend states that water collected from the bowls can cure eye diseases.

The Pots and Pans War Memorial was constructed in 1923 to honour the 259 people who died during the First World War from the villages below. It is located so that it can be seen from all of the villages and a service is held there on Remembrance Sunday.

The history of the Pots and Pans name

The name "Pots and Pans" comes from the rock formations on the hills of Saddleworth. The top of the Pots and Pans rock, which sits at the summit of Aldermans Hill, features a series of indentations that resemble basins or pots and pans. The rock has also been called the "Druids Stone" due to its resemblance to a face with a crooked nose and protruding chin, and its indentations have been rumoured to have been used by druids to collect sacrificial blood.

The indentations on the Pots and Pans rock were formed over the course of millions of years by the often harsh Saddleworth Moor weather. However, local folklore offers a different explanation for their existence. According to legend, two giants named Alphin and Alder, who lived on opposing hills across the Tame Valley, fell into rivalry over their love for a water nymph named Rimon. They began hurling huge rocks at each other across the valley, and Alphin ultimately lost the fight, getting struck in the face with a boulder. Distraught, Rimon threw herself off the side of the hill. The boulders they threw now litter the hills above Uppermill and Greenfield, and the indentations on the Pots and Pans rock are said to be one of the reminders of this battle.

The Druids Stone: folklore and superstition

The Druids Stone, also known as Pots and Pans, is a large rock that sits at the top of Alderman's Hill overlooking Uppermill. The rock features a series of basins or large indentations, which are said to resemble pots and pans. The rock is also said to resemble a face, with a crooked nose and protruding chin, when viewed from certain angles.

The Druids Stone has long been associated with folklore and superstition. One local legend states that the indentations on the rock were used by druids to collect the blood of human sacrifices. Another legend claims that water collected from these basins can cure eye diseases.

The rock is also connected to a story about two giants, Alphin and Alder (or Alderman), who lived on opposing hills across the Tame Valley. The giants were friends until they both fell in love with a water nymph named Rimon (or Rimmon). They began hurling huge rocks at each other across the valley, and Alphin ultimately lost the fight. Distraught, Rimon threw herself from the top of the hill. The boulders that can be seen across the hills are said to be remnants of this battle.

The Pots and Pans War Memorial

The memorial is located at the top of a hill because it can be seen from all of the villages—a fact that influenced the decision to place it there. On Remembrance Sunday, the communities of Saddleworth climb the hill to take part in a remembrance service, honouring those who died in the two world wars and later conflicts.

The memorial also serves as a reminder of a different kind of battle—one that, according to legend, took place between two giants, Alphin and Alder, who lived on opposing hills across the Tame Valley. The story goes that their friendship turned to hatred when they both fell for a beautiful water nymph named Rimon. The two giants began hurling huge rocks at each other, and Alphin ultimately lost, getting smashed in the face with a boulder. Distraught, Rimon threw herself off the side of the hill.

The Pots and Pans Stone, a large rock near the memorial, is said to be one of the remnants of this battle. The rock features a series of basins or large indentations, which, according to folklore, resemble pots and pans. These indentations have been worn into the millstone grit over millions of years by the savage Saddleworth Moor weather. The rock is also known as the 'Druids Stone', with the pots and pans-shaped bowls rumoured to have been used to collect sacrificial blood.

The villages of Saddleworth

Saddleworth is a civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in Greater Manchester, England. It is a popular tourist area, attracting visitors with its rolling moorland, gritstone villages, and historical sites. The villages of Saddleworth include:

• Uppermill: The main tourist village and 'retail centre' of Saddleworth, Uppermill is home to the Saddleworth Museum and the Brownhill Visitor Centre. It is also the starting point for the popular Pots and Pans walk.
• Greenfield: Greenfield is one of the larger Pennine villages of Saddleworth and is accessible by train from Victoria Station. It is known for its beautiful scenery and rail and canal links to other major cities.
• Delph: Delph is a village with a thriving art community and is home to the Millgate Arts Centre, where local concerts and performances are held. It was also featured in the films Yanks and Brassed Off.
• Dobcross: A typical Pennine village, Dobcross was also used as a filming location for the film Yanks.
• Diggle: Diggle is home to the entrance of the Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, which is the highest, longest, and deepest canal tunnel in the UK.
• Denshaw: A smaller village located higher on the moors.
• Grasscroft: A residential area within Saddleworth.
• Grotton: Another smaller community within Saddleworth.
• Lydgate
• Scouthead
• Austerlands
• Friezland
• Springhead

Saddleworth has a strong historical connection to the textile industry, particularly cotton spinning and weaving, which became a vital part of the local economy during the Industrial Revolution. The area also has a rich cultural heritage, with several brass bands and annual traditions such as the Whit Friday brass band contests and the Saddleworth Rushcart.

Frequently asked questions