A Ramsbottom Festival-goer's guide to Rammy

So by now you’ve heard all about the North West’s newest music event, Ramsbottom Festival… right?

You’ve heard all about the fantastic line-up of emerging and established talent, the family friendly activities, the picturesque rural setting at Ramsbotttom Cricket Club and all the delicious regional foodie produce on offer.

Just one question… where the hell is Ramsbottom?

If you’re not lucky enough to be familiar with this bohemian Greater Manchester outpost, here are just a few reasons why you should be.

Nestled in the rolling countyside just 12 miles north of Manchester, ‘Rammy’ as it’s affectionately known to the locals is a vibrant community where tradition meets modernity, with a strong emphasis on high quality independent businesses. The high street is bustling with antique shops, delis, boutiques, atmospheric pubs and butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, while a short stroll out of the village will lead you to some stunning rural (and hilly – beware!) walks.

Food and Drink

Arguably the finest eaterie in Ramsbottom is the multi award winning Ramsons Restaurant and Wine Boutique. Here you’ll get the finest Italian style dining, an extensive list of hand picked wines, and, if you like, a lesson in both these things from the eccentric and highly knowledgable proprieter, Chris.

Across the square from Ramsons, past the famous Edward Allington ‘Tilted Vase’ sculpture, is the award winning Chocolate Café - which, as the name suggests, is home to all things chocolate. The range of chocolate on offer really does have to be seen to believed, with flavours including Strawberry and Black Pepper, Mandarin and Sweet Mustard, Caramelised Bacon (yes, we’re still on chocolate) and Peanuts and Ketchup. There’s also a range of more traditional flavours for the chocolate purists out there, and the famous chocolate pizzas with a range of sweet toppings.

Other notable Ramsbottom food and drink outlets include the South Indian eaterie Sanmini’s, and fine drinking holes including The Shoulder of Mutton, The Grants Arms and The First Chop – who boast a fine DJ roster with the likes of Graeme Park, Jason Boardman and Funkademia all playing here.

Annual Events

In case you were in any doubt of Rammy residents’ partiality to a pint, a visit to the village on Easter Friday should set your mind at rest. Here you’ll find the locals getting sozzled with a drink in 14 different pubs at the annual ‘Rammy Mile’.

More wholesome events include the annual Chocolate Festival, the high profile Black Pudding Throwing Championships and the 1940’s Wartime Weekend, which sees the East Lancashire Railway come alive with 12 miles of live battle re-enactments, an authentic military camp, 1940s fashion stalls, afternoon tea dances, ENSA entertainers including the The Forces Sweethearts and Miss Katie Spitfire and the big military parade on Sunday in Irwell Vale.

Ramsbottom Festival is all set to take its place amongst these other high profile annual events – and the East Lancashire Railway is of course playing its part, with a park and ride scheme giving festival goers the opportunity to arrive at the festival site on Vintage Steam trains.

Places to Stay

There is no camping at Ramsbottom Festival, although with Manchester a mere 12 miles away, there’s plenty of accommodation around. If you’d like to stay nearby, Ramsbottom Village is home to some fine hotels – some of which will be offering ticket and accommodation packages. The Grants Arms Hotel and Old Mill Hotel in Ramsbottom, and the Red Hall Hotel and Village Hotel in Bury are all recommended.

Find hotels near Ramsbottom

So there you have it – your indispensable guide to all things Ramsbottom. Now all you need to do is get your tickets to the festival, and look forward to exploring this unique West Pennine village.

See you in the hills!

Words: Jayne Robinson