Offering unrivalled views of the Tame Valley and the Peak District, the beautiful, though slightly hilly, village of Dobcross is a must-visit for visitors to Saddleworth. With its picture-perfect setting and rich history it’s clear to see why its popularity is so enduring.
The tight-knit village truly comes alive though during big annual occasions like the Whit Friday brass band contests and the Yanks festival. The latter pays homage to the 1979 film, which starred Richard Gere and Vanessa Redgrave and featured scenes filmed in Dobcross.
One building whose essence was captured perfectly on the film is The Swan Inn, the pub at the heart of the village square. The Grade II-listed building dates back as far as 1765 and is one of two pubs in the village, alongside The Navigation Inn.
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After the pub failed to reopen after lockdown, many worried it might never return, but Sharon Musgrove, a Dobcross resident of nearly 30 years, saved the day and in late 2020 took over the pub. With a background in wealth management, Sharon gave up her career to become a publican, motivated by her strong sense of community.
Speaking at the time she took over the pub, Sharon said: “It is my desire to get The Swan Inn back to its former glory as a family pub and restore it to its rightful position at the heart of the community as the place to eat, drink and experience the very best of good old English hospitality.”
Packed with history and character, it’s clear to see why Sharon is so passionate about her local. Fans of old school pubs will be happy to see the original deed - signed by the first landlord - still hanging on the wall, alongside old photographs of the village, which show how little Dobcross has changed over the years. Spanning several spaces, there’s plenty of places within the pub to get cosy, especially beside the fireplaces.
In summer though, visitors can make the most of the revamped outdoor seating area at the side of the Marston’s-owned pub or perch alongside the iconic red phone box at the front of the pub.
Offering a traditional British menu with locally sourced ingredients, it’s definitely worth staying for more than a pint. Just this past month, Sharon and the kitchen team headed up by Jon Lowe, created a new, and very extensive menu spanning lunch and early dinner options, a la carte and bar snacks.
If you’re after a heart classic you can choose from cheese and onion pie, with triple cooked chips and mushy peas; old English sausage, champ mash, sticky onion gravy and Yorkshire pudding’ and beer battered haddock. Meanwhile, starters such as red pepper falafel and pea and cider vinegar croquettes with tartar sauce and rocket offer something lighter and meat-free.
As Sharon tells me, there's also specials served on weekends: "this week we've got confit duck bao buns, potted beef and Yorkshire puddings for starters. Spiced lamb burger and chicken katsu curry for mains, and then for dessert a white chocolate and raspberry meringue.
As every good pub should, there’s also a Sunday roast, with a choice of roast rump of beef, roast chicken, or leg of lamb, all served with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, buttered greens, carrot and swede gravy and lashings of gravy. Desserts do not disappoint either, expect classics like triple chocolate brownie and sticky toffee pudding, as well as warm carrot cake with rum toffee sauce and coconut ice-cream, and baked vanilla and Biscoff cheesecake with raspberry sorbet.
While Dobcross might be small, it's bursting with community spirit. So, if you're thinking of heading over to Saddleworth any time soon, and you're looking for somewhere for a good pint and hearty pub food, you know The Swan Inn is the place to go.
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