Nestled in the rolling hills of Diggle, the ice cream shop looks right out onto the waterway
Grandpa Greene’s ice cream cafe in Saddleworth, Oldham(Image: Dianne Bourne)
Sunshine has poured down on Greater Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend with record temperatures recorded across the region. Temperatures rose to above 30C on Bank Holiday Monday with many heading outside to soak up the rays.
The balmy temperatures experienced over the last few day have meant that parts of Greater Manchester were warmer than a host of popular European sunshine destinations. Temperatures could cool on Wednesday, with a maximum forecast of 24C, before climbing again to 28C on Thursday.
With cooler, cloudier conditions forecast heading into next weekend and the slight abatement in high temperatures, heading outside for a walk will be more feasible. Greater Manchester features an extensive network of nature trails and canal walks set amongst beautiful countryside and dotted with plenty of spots to stop for a refreshment.
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One option is the Huddersfield Canal, a 19.3-mile waterways that scales the Pennines, link Huddersfield to West Yorkshire, to Ashton-under-Lyne. Famous for its 74 distinctive narrow locks, it also feature the Standedge Tunnel – Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel.
Grandpa Greene’s ice cream cafe in Saddleworth, Oldham(Image: Dianne Bourne)
Along the way it passes through the scenic villages of Uppermill, Dobcross and Diggle. The latter marks a significant location on the waterway, and is the western portal for the aforementioned tunnel.
Nestled among the moorlands of the Pennine Hills, Diggle was historically part of Yorkshire, although today it’s located within the borough of Oldham. Part of the civil parish of Saddleworth it name comes from the Saxon degle meaning valley, and its history dates back to a collection of hamlets.
Canal walk in Diggle, Oldham(Image: Supplied)
The village is a good spot to pick up the towpath and begin a walk, or to incorporate as part of a longer trail. There’s plenty of options but if you can manage a few miles and have time you can pick up a walk towards Diggle from Greenfield, which is also in Saddleworth.
If you’re in the mood for ice cream or a treat after the walk you can follow the canal for two miles from Greenfield to Grandpa Greene’s Ice Cream Parlour. It’s around a two mile journey, but if you need something a little shorter, you can also pick up the canal path from Uppermill, which is on the way.
Canal walk in Diggle, Oldham(Image: Supplied)
A straight walk along the canal path, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour, and means you won’t need to worry about directions – simply just follow the path up towards Diggle. Grandpa Greene’s is also located on the canal so you can’t miss it.
The ice cream makers have two locations – The Parlour and Cafe Bar in Diggle and the Bistro and Parlour in Uppermill. Nestled in the rolling hills and with glass-fronted terraces, the Diggle site looks right out onto the water.
Grandpa Greene’s in Diggle(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
The storied ice cream pros started with Grandpa Greene making his own ice cream using a churn in the back yard of his corner shop in Salford.
Today, they’ve adapted this basic recipe and developed into into luxury ice cream, made in the old fashioned way. Saddleworth Milk J & R Lancashire and Family supply their whole milk and thick double cream from Pedigree Friesian cows that graze in open fields across the hills of Saddleworth.
Grandpa Greene’s handmade ice cream has been made in the region since the 1920s(Image: Manchester Evening News)
This results in over 24 flavours of luxury dairy ice cream and a range of plant-based flavours and sorbets. They serve up classics including strawberry, vanilla and chocolate but also popular options such as raspberry pavlova, espresso and cookie and cream.
As well as ice cream, the Diggle site also serves up brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and coffee. The afternoon tea has to be pre-booked but they do offer a range of options including Children’s, Vegetarian and Halal Afternoon Tea. Aside from this there’s a range of other children’s options including mini breakfast, lunch box meals and desserts.
The canal alongside Grandpa Greene’s in Diggle(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
Grandpa Greene’s is open Monday to Friday, 10am until 4pm with food served until 3:30pm. Saturday and Sunday, the cafe is open 9:30am until 5pm with food served up 4:30pm.
They accept walk-ins each day for al fresco dining in the outdoor space as well as under the heated canopy areas. Tables are allocated on a first-come-first served basis, but they do also have a waiting list system.
Ward Ln, Diggle, Oldham OL3 5JT