Grasscroft
Clough Lane in
Grasscroft is one of Saddleworth's original settlements, with some
captivating examples of traditional Saddleworth architecture, such as
the weavers cottages of Nettle Hole. It forms the very earliest constructions
of Grasscroft. In stark contrast, the houses built on Oldham Road in Grasscroft
are typical examples of 1930's and 40's architecture, unusual for Saddleworth but not obviously out of place.
Both Oldham
Road and Mossley Road, meeting at the Farrars Arms junction, were
originally turnpike roads. Whilst Old Lane in Grasscroft predates these
as one of the ancient routes through Saddleworth.
The Farrars
Arms itself is around 300 years old, becoming a licensed property
in the mid 18th century. Standing on the site of the original Shaw
Hall, it takes its name from the Farrar family who at the time were Lords
of the Manor.
In common with
most of the other Saddleworth stations, Grasscroft Halt Station was closed in May 1955. It was located not far from the Lydgate Portal Tunnel on the railway
line from Greenfield to Manchester.
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