a community co-operative
Dobcross
Dobcross is one of several villages that make up Saddleworth, where Greater Manchester meets the Pennines.
Village Life
Dobcross Village Community and the Dobcross Diary
The DVC is is run by volunteers with the aim to support local clubs, societies and facilities. The Dobcross Diary (ten issues per year) is a printed newsletter distributed free to every home in Dobcross and also available via email. If you have any article for the next issue, please contact Patricia on 01457 878814 or by emailing diary@dobcross.com.
Dobcross Band and Social Club
Award-winning social club with comfortable seating, which is home to three brass bands, crown green bowling, darts, snooker, and live BT football on the big screen. Regular community events include concerts, coffee mornings and weekly exercise classes. Awards include CAMRA Club of the Year. Function room available for hire. Become a member or visit as a guest. All welcome. Tel: 01457 873741 [Photo credit: @NotQuiteLight]
The Swan Inn
This Grade II listed hostelry dates back as far as 1765. Sitting in the heart of the picturesque square in Dobcross, The Swan Inn offers a fantastic selection of food and drink, with regularly changing menus.
Downstairs there are three separate spaces offering a warm and cosy atmosphere, with real fireplaces to keep the warmth going on colder nights. Upstairs is a performance space hosting regular events. There's also a beer garden. The welcoming pub is family friendly, dog friendly and, well, just friendly all round. Come and find out for yourself. Tel: 07377 182770
The Navigation Inn
Mark & Sue welcome you to The Navigation Inn, Next to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, this stone pub was built in 1806 to slake the thirst of navvies cutting the Standedge Tunnel. It comprises an open-plan bar with three hand pumps and an L-shaped interior. All dishes are home made and freshly prepared for each order. You can be assured of quality food and good service in a relaxed atmosphere. Tel. 01457 872418
The Old Toll House Licensed Tea Rooms and Garden Centre
A small independent tea room located in a stunning location on Platt Lane in Dobcross. With lots of home made produce to try, the cafe serves breakfast, lunches and afternoon tea. Seasonal bedding plants, flowers and Christmas trees for sale. Tel. 01457 820075
Saddler Gentleman Co.
There is a 'gentleman's refinery' next door to the village store - a private retreat for gentlemen to relax and enjoy hair cutting, shaving, beard expertise and skincare with a classic touch of old British refinement.
Holy Trinity Church
Built in 1787, the Grade II-listed church stands at the heart of the village next door to Dobcross Village Store. There are regular services on Sundays and festival days throughout the year. It provides a beautiful setting for important occasions such as marriages and baptisms. It's a superb space for concerts with outstanding acoustics. At the west end of the church is the narthex which is used for private bookings on a frequent and regular basis. It includes a well-ordered kitchen together with toilets, washbasins, and baby-changing facilities which are all accessible. Email: office@cofeinsaddleworth.org.uk
Holy Trinity Primary School
Holy Trinity School is a Church of England Primary school serving the local community of Dobcross. The schools aim is for all children to ‘Learn to love and Love to learn’ through developing skills and knowledge across a broad and balanced curriculum. Friends of Dobcross School (FODS) are Holy Trinity’s parent teacher association. All parents, carers and staff are automatically members when they join our school. Email: info@dobcross.oldham.sch.uk
Dobcross Whit Friday United Effort
The world famous Saddleworth Whit Friday Band Contest is an important date in the Dobcross calendar. There are many ways you can support this fantastic tradition. If you would like to volunteer and can spare an hour or two of your time, please contact the committee.
www.saddleworthwhitfriday.co.uk/dobcross
WHIT FRIDAY 2025 is on 13th June!
Brass Bands
There are three bands active in the village. They practise at the Band Club and perform regularly in the village and around the world.
Delph and Dobcross Cricket Club
A friendly cricket club set at the base of the Pennines with three senior teams and several junior teams. The club house plays host to live music, comedy and other events. Whether you're new to the area or an old friend, a friendly welcome awaits at Delph & Dobcross Cricket Club. Tel. 07745 534694
Other Dobcross groups
Dobcross is vibrant village with many community groups for all ages, including:
- Crown Green Bowling – at Dobcross Band and Social Club.
- Dobcross Ladies Group – Meets monthly in Holy Trinity Church meeting room. Talks, trips out and good fun.
- Dobcross Elderberries, for our older residents. Join in for coffee mornings and occasional day trips away. Contact Richenda Williamson, 07971 201064.
- Creative Writing Hour with Cathy Crabb (Wednesdays at 7pm at The Swan). Email cathycrabb@gmail.com.
- Dobcross Book Club meets at The Swan on the first Thursday of the month, 8pm upstairs.
- Pilates with Natasha at the Band Club. Booking essential 07852 576107.
- There is also a Dobcross CrimeWatch group on WhatsApp, linked to the police, to keep an eye on things!
If your group would like to be added, please let us know.
Further afield
Saddleworth has many other villages with lots to explore and too many highlights to list here in full.
Uppermill has a full range of shops, tea rooms, pubs, a chippy. Enjoy European-style cafe's like Caffè Grande Abaco. There is a Doctors’ surgery, chemists, a library and Saddleworth Museum.
In the other direction, Delph village also has a range of shops, chemist, giftshops, pubs, chippy, tea rooms, hairdressers and a library run by volunteers. There is even a theatre Millgate Arts Centre, home to the Saddleworth Players, SPY Youth Theatre, Saddleworth Film Society, Saddleworth Concerts Society and they also plays host to visiting performers and musicians.
Other groups include:
Saddleworth Historical Society
and many more...
The theatre and the library at the Millgate in Delph.
Defibrillators
After phoning 999, the operator will give you instructions.
There are FOUR potentially life-saving defibrillators in Dobcross. Take a moment to familiarise yourself with their locations.
- Phone Box outside The Swan in the Square
- Phone box at Ladcastle Road, near the bridge at junction near HT School
- Car Park of the Navigation
- Club room at the Band Club (when open)
Dobcross defibrillators funded by the DVC
Useful Contacts
Saddleworth Parish Council
Oldham Council
Saddleworth North Councillors
The Worshipful the Mayor of Oldham 2024-25 is Councillor Zahid Chauhan OBE, FRCGP
MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth
Doctors' Surgery
Saddleworth Medical Practice, Smithy Lane, Uppermill, OL3 6AH
Tel: 01457 872228