Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester:
Ashton Tap House
Visited on: Wednesday 22nd January 2020
Bob Thompson
This was my second Market Hall pub of the day. I had arrived on the frequent 409 bus to Ashton Bus Station after visiting the Cob & Coal in Oldham Market Hall. A five minute walk brought me to Ashton’s open market and on the far side I could see the impressive edifice of the Market Hall.
A little bit of history won’t go amiss here. Ashton market truly has history as it is believed it acquired its charter in 1284. It moved to the present site in 1828 and in 1867 the present building was opened.
It was extended in 1880 and again in 1930. On 25th May 2004 there was a catastrophic fire that destroyed every thing except the exterior walls and the iconic tower.
A temporary market was set up and a new Market Hall was opened in 2008 within the surviving walls.
Although it is a bit more modern than some of other halls it still has the fantastic array of stalls from bakers, butchers and fishmongers through to haberdashers, sweet shops and cafés. And of course, the Ashton Tap House. I believe it opened in April 2018.
Even by the standards of micro-bars and pubs it is small. However, this is relieved by the communal seating outside which also serves a café and sandwich bar.
Inside, the bar counter is in the far right hand corner. Facing it on the left are three high wooden tables, each with four tall chairs.
On the right there’s a small low table with cushioned bench seating around two side.
Between this and bar there’s an upright refrigerator containing bottled beers and mixers. These are for the gins they sell, which includes local Tameside Gin. On the walls are framed caricature cartoons of the many regular customers.
There were two cask beers, along with two still ciders and three keg beers (two lagers and a wheat beer). From the cask were Empire Brewing (Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire) Porter (4.7%) and Sheffield Brewery (Sheffield, South Yorkshire) Blanco Blonde (4.2%).
The ciders were Dunham Press (Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester) Dabbler Cider (5.0%) and Seacider (Ditchling Common, East Sussex) Blood Orange Cider (4.0%).
Obviously, there is no food offered but you are welcome to take in anything purchased from the many food stalls in the market hall.
This little pub is well worth visiting if you are in the Tameside area.
Important Information:
Ashton Tap House, Unit 16, Market Hall, Market Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7JU. Tel: 07940_077019.
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10.30-17.00; Sunday: Closed.
Ashton-under-Lyne is the terminus of Metrolink Tram route E. From the tram stop walk forward.
Go across the front of the Bus Station (an alternative way to arrive). Go past the Prince of Orange pub.
Pass Wellington Street on the right but turn next right into Wellington Road.
At this intersection you will see Ashton station on the opposite side, another alternative way to arrive.
There are trains from Manchester Victoria.
In Wellington Road walk till you see the Market Hall on the right.
