The White Hart at Lydgate

Built in 1788, the White Hart at Lydgate offers charming, expansive views from its hilltop location on the outskirts of Oldham. As an upscale inn-with-rooms, it also promises several dining options: the informal Brasserie majors on crowd-pleasing dishes produced with quality ingredients (think grilled lemon sole on the bone with almond brown butter or slow-cooked ox cheek with burnt onion and kale), while the Dining Room showcases head chef Mike Shaw’s refined multi-course tasting menus. Our starter of Cornish crab, mango and coriander was light, elegant and sweet, while pan-roast foie gras with smoked onion was intensely rich and full-flavoured. To follow, there might be perfectly tender squab with Umbrian lentils and sausage or honey-roast duck pointed up with aromatic Sarawak peppercorns, turnip and sweet plums. Dishes can be paired with wines from an extensive, carefully curated list that demonstrates genuine passion and expertise. If you’re after a different vibe, there’s also a dedicated bar with log-burning stoves, cask ales and a classy pub-grub menu. In short, a comfortable and appealing country inn that’s well worth the trip. 

The White Hart is a historic, traditional pub in Lydgate, Oldham, known for serving classic pub grub and a wide array of cask ales, beers and international lagers. In the quiet whispers of time, it would be incredible if The White Hart could share their tales. The journey of this proud establishment began in 1788, when local landowner John Buckley laid its foundation. Over the years, it underwent a captivating transformation — from serving as the local police station, complete with a makeshift prison, to transforming into a schoolhouse, then a weaver's cottage, and finally, finding purpose as a lookout point and bomb shelter during the tumult of the Second World War.

In 1921, the Buckley family relinquished their ties, passing the baton to the Gartside Brewery, a stewardship that endured until 1987. Fast forward to June 1994, and the narrative took a turn as Charles Brierley acquired the freehold. Under his visionary guidance, The White Hart Inn underwent a remarkable evolution, emerging as the distinguished and award winning venue it stands as today.

Step inside, and you'll find a menu that beats your expectations for pub grub — a delicious assortment of pub favourites crafted by the team’s award winning culinary staff, reinterpreting tradition with innovative twists. Exceptional ingredients meet skillful execution, ensuring a dining experience that exceeds the ordinary.

Venture to the bar, a spirited testament to plentiful options. Whether you're drawn to cask ales, craft beers, international lagers, cocktails, an extensive wine list, or an alluring array of gins that would delight even the most discerning connoisseur, the team at The White Hart have curated an ensemble to please every palate.

The charm of The White Hart isn't confined to its walls - it extends to every nook and cranny. Warmth creeps out from log burning stoves and coal fires, weaving an inviting tapestry. Familiar pictures adorn the walls, each telling a story, and the lively banter of friendly regulars at the bar completes the tableau. This isn't just a pub, it's a cherished spot for locals and visitors, where history converges with modernity, and every visit feels like a journey home.