The Best Pubs in Rochdale
Nestled in the foothills of the South Pennines and cradled by the valley of the River Roch, Rochdale’s pub scene is as varied as its historic landscape. You’ll find everything from Victorian inns with crackling fires and cask ales to lively sports bars and dog friendly locals serving homemade pies and Sunday roasts. Whether you’re after a quiet pint in a beer garden or live music with fresh, hearty food, the town’s diverse watering holes offer a proper welcome for every kind of group. Come discover the best pubs in Rochdale.


1. The Baum
33-37 Toad Ln, Rochdale OL12 0NU, UK
Tucked away on a historic lane, The Baum is a Victorian-era gem that masterfully pairs creative British food with a superb selection of beers, wines, and cocktails. Its beautifully preserved interior and welcoming beer garden make it a perfect spot for groups, and the friendly staff ensure every visit feels special. Best of all, you can bring your dog along to soak in the pub’s unique character, where local legend whispers of the phantom Baum Rabbit and a shadowy figure—said to be stirring once more this very year. Whether you’re here for the exceptional rag pudding or a round of cask ales, this is a place that delivers excellence with every detail.
Photo by Mike Faherty — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


2. Puckersley Inn
22 Narrowgate Brow, Royton, Oldham OL2 6YD, UK
Nestled in a charming corner, the Puckersley Inn is a true gem where hearty, homemade meals like rag pudding and swordfish shine at a fair price. The bar is well stocked with beers, wines, and cocktails, while the outdoor seating and live music create a lively backdrop for groups of all sizes. Bring your four legged friend along and settle in for a cracking feed and a proper pint it’s the kind of welcoming local that keeps you coming back for more.
Photo by John Slater — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


3. The Turks Head
119 Castleton Rd, Royton, Oldham OL2 6UP, UK
Step right into The Turks Head, a brilliantly down to earth local where the welcome is as warm as the food is scrumptious. This is the kind of place where the staff are incredibly cheerful and reactive to requests, making every visit feel like a home from home. With a cracking selection of beers, wines, and cocktails on offer, plus comfortable seating and a super clean interior, it’s the perfect spot for a group gathering. Whether you’re out on the outdoor seating or tucking into a starter that’s to die for, you’ll be planning your return before you’ve even finished your main.


4. Hare & Hounds
865 Bury Rd, Rochdale OL11 4AA, UK
Come on down to the Hare & Hounds, a cracking family run pub in Bamford where the welcome is as warm as the homecooked food! With a fantastic selection of beers, wines, and cocktails, plus a lovely beer garden for sunny days, it’s the perfect spot for groups and their four legged pals. Whether you’re tucking into a mouth watering burger or a classic Sunday roast, you’ll find proper pub grub made fresh to order every time.
Photo by Christopher Hilton — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


5. The Red Lion Inn
Whitworth Square, Whitworth, Rochdale OL12 8PY, UK
Set in a charming village square, The Red Lion Inn is a proper historic pub where crackling fires and warm hospitality create an inviting escape. The bar is well stocked with beers, wines, and cocktails, while the spacious outdoor seating lets you soak up the serene surroundings. Bring your dog along and settle in for delicious food, or join in with the lively pub quiz and live music it’s a brilliant spot for groups and a true community gem.
Photo by John Slater — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


6. Tandle Hill Tavern
The Tandle Hill Tavern, 14 Thornham Ln, Middleton, Manchester M24 2SD, UK
If you’re after a proper traditional pub with bags of character, Tandle Hill Tavern is an absolute treat. This former farmhouse, dating back to the 1850s, serves up a cracking selection of cask ales, wines, and cocktails, all alongside hearty homemade pies that have kept locals coming back for decades. The pub is wonderfully dog friendly, features a sunny beer garden, and often hosts live music, making it a brilliant spot for groups to unwind after a ramble through the nearby countryside. With its real open fire, rustic charm, and a CAMRA Good Beer Guide listing, it’s a genuine gem that’s easy on the wallet and hard to leave.
Photo by Kevin Waterhouse — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


7. The Oxford
662 Whitworth Rd, Rochdale OL12 0TB, UK
Head down to The Oxford, a proper family owned pub at the foot of the Pennines where the welcome is as hearty as the famous cheese and onion pie. With a cracking selection of real ales, fine wines, and cocktails, plus a beautiful beer garden for sunny days and cosy fireplaces for winter, it’s a brilliant spot for any occasion. Whether you’re catching up with a large group or stopping in for a quick half, the generous portions and dedicated team make every visit feel like a treat.
Photo by Dr Neil Clifton — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


8. Flying Horse Hotel
37 Packer St, Rochdale OL16 1NJ, UK
A true gem among historic free houses, The Flying Horse has been serving the community since 1691 and remains an award winning local with a staggering range of real cask ales. The kitchen turns out traditional homemade meals using locally sourced ingredients, all at a moderate price point that makes it easy to return again and again. With live music four nights a week, a dog friendly welcome, and plenty of outdoor seating, it is the perfect spot for groups to gather over beers, wines, or cocktails. Whether you are catching the big game or tucking into a hearty Sunday lunch by the fire, this is a place where history and hospitality meet.
Photo by Dr Neil Clifton — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


9. The Healey
172 Shawclough Rd, Shawclough, Rochdale OL12 6LW, UK
Situated near the stunning Healey Dell nature reserve, The Healey is a traditional local pub that truly excels with its superb cask ales and top notch food. The beautifully maintained gardens, complete with a French Boules pitch, offer a fantastic spot for groups and their four legged friends to enjoy a pint or a cocktail in the fresh air. Inside, the warm welcome and cracking Sunday breakfasts make it a brilliant choice for any occasion, from a relaxed meal to a lively quiz night.
Photo by JThomas — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons


10. The Grapes at Bamford
69 Norden Rd, Bamford, Rochdale OL11 5PN, UK
Welcome to The Grapes at Bamford, a wonderfully cosy pub right in the heart of the village where you’ll find a brilliant selection of cask ales, wines, and cocktails waiting for you. The food here is freshly prepared and full of flavour, making it the perfect spot for a relaxed meal with friends or a well earned pint after a day in the Peaks. With plenty of outdoor seating and a warm welcome for both groups and their four legged companions, this is the kind of place where you can truly pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable.
Photo by JThomas — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons




