Everything you need to know about the Pots and Pans Walk Saddleworth.
Located in the Peak District National Park, to the west of Dovestone Reservoir and above Uppermill, you will find the Pots and Pans walk. It is a popular walk for Greater Manchester people because it is one of the closest walks in the Peaks to the city, and you can see for miles.
You can see as far as Manchester city’s skyline if you are lucky enough to venture upon a clear day.
There are different ways you can reach the top of the Pots and Pans walk Saddleworth, and we will give you an overview so you can decide which one is the best for you. From shorter (more family-friendly?) walks to longer walks to make a day of it. There will be a walk for you.
Disclaimer: Please use these routes as a guide to choose the right one for you and then take a map and a compass if you plan to go on the moorland. It is easy to take a wrong turn, as there are many different paths. To be prepared, you can download the OS Map App – they have a free 30-day trial!
Possible Routes for the Pots and Pans Walk Saddleworth
There are many different ways to complete the pots and pans walk Saddleworth, and we will talk you through our three favourites in this post.
In summary:
- Route 1: From Dovestone Car Park and back (return hike) 4 miles (6km).
- Route 2: From Dovestone Car Park, down into Uppermill, along the canal and back to Dovestone Car Park (circular) roughly 10 miles (16km).
- Route 3: From Uppermill and back (return hike) 2.5 miles (4km).
Pots and Pans Car Park
For Route 1 and 2:
You can park in Dovestone Reservoir Car Park. It costs £4 for an all-day ticket or 4 hours for £2, and you can pay using contactless payments. There is a toilet here, a map of the Dovestone area and an overview of the different walks.
The Postcode for the Dovestone Reservoir Car Park is OL3 7NE. Please note, on weekends and sunny days, this car park can get full, so arrive as early as possible.
If you wanted to make the route shorter, there is an option to park at Binn Green Picnic site and Car Park, this is a free car park, but it will skip out the walk’s reservoir part. It also can get jam-packed, so make sure you arrive early if you plan to park here.
For Route 3: You can park in Uppermill. There is one free long stay car park and other short stay car parks. Follow the signs for the long stay, so you do not feel rushed on the Pots and Pans walk Saddleworth.
Why is it called the Pots and Pans Walk?
The name Pots and Pans comes from the rock formations on the hills of Saddleworth. Numerous indentations are on the top of it, resembling pots and pans! Before researching, we thought it has something to do with the Pots and Pans War Memorial and not the pots and pans stones. You learn something every day!
The locals sometimes call it the ‘Druids Stone’, and there are different legends as to how it got its name. For example, did you know there was a mighty battle between giants here? The giant’s names were Alphin and Alder. No really…
Pots and Pans War Memorial
The Pots and Pans War Memorial was constructed in 1923 to honour the 259 people that died during the First World War from the villages below. Its position is visible from all of the villages. On Remembrance Sunday, there is a service at the cenotaph to commemorate the fallen and remember those who have served in world wars and conflict.
Route 1: Dovestones Car Park Return Walk
2 to 3 hours – 4 miles
- From the car park, turn right and walk around the reservoir up to Binn Green Picnic Site.
- Cross the A635 (carefully) and follow the Oldham Way.
- There is a stile when you cross the road on your right (it is half broken), and from there, you can follow the path uphill.
- Look behind you to see beautiful views over Dovestones Reservoir and the moors.
- From here, you will see the War Memorial and the rocks standing proudly, and you can follow the path towards it!
- Return the same way or follow the other directions down!
Route 2: Dovestones Car Park – climb up to Pots and Pans and go down into Uppermill – walk back along the canal (4-5 hours).
Follow Route 1 until point 6
4 to 5 hours – 10 miles
Instead of returning:
- There are different ways to get down into Uppermill; you can go in front of the cenotaph towards Knowl Top Lane or take the path behind the cenotaph and head down towards the farmhouse.
- You should follow the path to the right-hand side of the farmhouse and get into Uppermill.
- Whilst you are in Uppermill, you can treat yourself to a coffee, cake, or beer at one of the many excellent independent cafes. Our favourite is Abaco.
- You can cross the stepping-stones from the park and then walk along the canal towards the Kingfisher Pub.
- Turn right and head towards Dovestone Reservoir, passing through Greenfield back over the moors from the pub.
- You can take many different routes, so follow your nose; we headed up a hill, passing by some houses and a horse farm, before turning left along the path back towards Dovestones.
- We arrived at the woodland, turned left and went downhill, with the row of houses in front of us, before looping back to the car park.
Route 3: Leaving from Uppermill
Roughly 2-hours – 2.5 miles
- From the car park, turn right up Pobgreen Lane and take a right turn in front of the house.
- The path will take you in front of some houses, and you should keep right of the fence.
- You should now be on the hills with the villages below and follow the path, crossing any stiles you come across.
- Once you arrive near a farmhouse, there are different ways you can reach the top. If you keep left and follow the path up, you will have arrived, and you can return the way you came or go down the path in front of the cenotaph.
- If you choose this way, you will come to Knowl Top Lane. Turn right, and then keep left along Running Hill Gate to get back to the car park.
Route 3 is the walking route that walking Britain recommends when completing the Pots and Pans walk Saddleworth.
Are you interested in more Peak District walks? Our favourites include:
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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