Glossop is a small town located on the edge of the Peak District. It lies in the county of Derbyshire, which is officially part of the East Midlands (though most residents would consider themselves part of the Northwest of England).
Glossop is at the northwestern extremity of Derbyshire and the Peak District, close to the borders with Greater Manchester and Yorkshire. It also lies at the start of two of the most infamous Pennine passes, the Snake and Woodhead passes. Its main development is owed to the 19th-century cotton industry which generated the wealth to build much of the town we see today, although the cotton industry has since declined and almost disappeared from the region. Despite this, the historic mill buildings still dominate the town, such as those at Wren Nest and Howardtown, both of which are undergoing major transformations into new multi-use buildings including retail, leisure and residential.
Glossop is predominantly a commuter town for the nearby conurbation of Greater Manchester, where quite often people have moved to enjoy a more relaxed and laid-back quality of life whilst enjoying the benefits of living near a city. It has a regular market, the usual range of high street chain stores and some independent shops. It attracts tourists mainly due to its good transport links with the surrounding Peak District National Park and its stunning countryside, though the town itself is not without interest and parts (e.g. Manor Park, Old Glossop) are quite attractive. It is not of any administrative significance due to its geographic location and local government structures. The population of the town (2001 Census) is 32,428.
- Wren Nest Mill, High Street West. Remaining building of cotton mill built between 1800 and 1818.
- Ardotalia, Melandra Castle Rd, Gamesley. Site of Roman fort
Wren Nest Mill, High Street West. Remaining building of cotton mill built between 1800 and 1818.
Ardotalia, Melandra Castle Rd, Gamesley. Site of Roman fort
- Walk through Manor Park to Old Glossop and—for the energetic—continue onto the slopes of Bleaklow.
- Longdendale Trail. An all-purpose trail housed on a disused railway line, about 7 miles from Hadfield to Woodhead featuring trails for bicycles, horses and walkers. Free.
- Partington Players Theatre, Henry Street SK13 8BW, +44 1457 852066. A 120-seat theatre in the centre of Glossop showing plays for a week 6 times each season. They also have occasional live music, films and visiting productions.
Longdendale Trail. An all-purpose trail housed on a disused railway line, about 7 miles from Hadfield to Woodhead featuring trails for bicycles, horses and walkers. Free.
Partington Players Theatre, Henry Street SK13 8BW, +44 1457 852066. A 120-seat theatre in the centre of Glossop showing plays for a week 6 times each season. They also have occasional live music, films and visiting productions.
Glossop boasts some of the best shopping in the High Peak. It has a variety of national chain stores and independent stores existing alongside each other in the town centre. The largest supermarket is a Tesco store on the main road through the town. Major retail areas include the nearby High Street West and Wrens Nest Retail Park, which contains shops such as Next, Argos, Wickes (DIY), Brantano and others. The new Howardtown development on the A624 (Victoria St) offers additional retail opportunities.
There are many restaurants and cafes in Glossop itself with more in the surrounding towns and cities. The town itself can cater for all taste buds with many nationalities and styles of foods available. There is a Chinese restaurant in the town centre, a few Italian restaurants and numerous Indian restaurants. There are also many Chinese, Indian, Pizza and Italian take-aways in the town centre. However, pub food is probably the most widespread eating out option, with numerous pubs serving food across the town centre.
- Ayubowan, 46-50 High Street West, +44 1457 865168.
- The Globe, 144 High Street West (west of town centre near Tesco superstore, +44 1457 852417. Evenings only. A friendly and quirky pub serving cheap and tasty vegan food and a range of real ales, ciders, etc. There is a small live music venue in an upstairs room with a varied programme and free folk-music jamming sessions in the bar on a Monday night. The own-brew beers have attracted mixed reviews.
- Restaurant At 54, 54 High Street West, +44 1457 861054.
Ayubowan, 46-50 High Street West, +44 1457 865168.
The Globe, 144 High Street West (west of town centre near Tesco superstore, +44 1457 852417. Evenings only. A friendly and quirky pub serving cheap and tasty vegan food and a range of real ales, ciders, etc. There is a small live music venue in an upstairs room with a varied programme and free folk-music jamming sessions in the bar on a Monday night. The own-brew beers have attracted mixed reviews.
Restaurant At 54, 54 High Street West, +44 1457 861054.
Glossop has a varied pub scene, with everything from national chain pub-restaurants to friendly local establishments.
- Commercial Inn, 137 Manor Park Rd, +44 1457 864569.
- Star Inn, 2 Howard Street, +44 1457 853072.
Commercial Inn, 137 Manor Park Rd, +44 1457 864569.
Star Inn, 2 Howard Street, +44 1457 853072.
- Hayfield
- New Mills
- Hyde
- Marple
- Buxton: Museum and Art Gallery and the historic market town of Buxton including tourist attractions, shopping and leisure facilities. Accessible via the 61/61A bus services or by car on the A624 road.
- Stockport
- Manchester: city-centre attractions (15 miles west) – by train, bus or car
- Castleton: caverns and other limestone scenery
- Sheffield: the steel city is a picturesque drive via the Snake Pass (A57)
- Peak District National Park: a wealth of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery on offer within minutes of Glossop
- The Trafford Centre: award-winning retail and leisure destination on the western edge of Manchester, adjacent to junctions 9 and 10 of the M60 motorway and easily accessible by bus from Manchester city centre