Tandle Hill Tavern and Country Park are packed with ghostly whispers, eerie legends and woodland mystery, but the truth might surprise you, writes GEMMA JOHNSON
The Tandle Hill Tavern is a 175-year-old pub dating back to 1850. It sits on the edge of Tandle Hill Country Park, a 110-acre rural escape featuring woodlands, hills and a bubbling stream running through its heart.
The country park spans Rochdale, Middleton and Oldham. The tavern is situated at the Slattocks, Middleton end of the park.
The building was initially a farmhouse before being converted into a public house in 1850. The first landlords were Henry and Jane Tetlow.
Rumour has it that Jane remains a frequent visitor to the Tandle Hill Tavern. In the afterlife, she is said to visit from beyond the grave to keep a watchful eye on the premises.
Locals report a feeling of being watched, especially in the quieter hours of the darkest nights. The tavern has retained its cosy vibe, echoing the original appearance created by Henry and Jane.
A fireplace still sits at the heart of the space. Close your eyes and you can imagine Jane keeping a careful watch over the fire, ensuring customers are kept warm during the harsh winter nights.
Jane is also thought to have made an appearance on camera in recent years. During a visit to the tavern, a customer was testing out a new phone and playing around with the camera.
Later, they reviewed the pictures and spotted a strange mist in the background of one image, resembling a figure standing behind them. It was described as the height and shape of a woman. Could it have been Jane, or was it simply pareidolia?
Tandle Hill County Park
Tandle Hill Country Park has a vibe of its own. It is vast, with towering trees and a valley at the bottom that echoes with the rustling of leaves and the squawking of crows circling above.
Even on the most beautiful summer days, the winding woodland paths create a spooky atmosphere. Visit late at night, or in the autumn months, and you could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped into the film The Blair Witch Project.
Pendle has its famous hill; Tandle has its Blair Witch-style woods. Get lost there at night and you might find yourself uttering those famous words to camera: “I’m scared to close my eyes, I’m scared to open them! We’re going to die out here!”
We love a good ghost story or a tale of folklore, but we also enjoy a belly laugh. Back in March 2025, numerous phone calls were made to local police and images were posted on various Facebook groups.
Strange lights had been seen within Tandle Hill Country Park. Given its spooky reputation, the lights were believed to be supernatural and possibly connected to UFOs.
Panic arose. What was it?
Take a deep breath — it was actually filming for the show After the Flood, which was taking place in the woods. Thanks, ITV.
The moral of the story is that not everything you see is paranormal or unexplained. The next time you sit down to watch After the Flood, think of those panicked photos and phone calls.
One-sentence introduction: Tandle Hill Tavern and Country Park blend local legend, ghostly whispers and woodland mystery with a dose of real-world humour.
