Royton and Shaw are two neighbouring former mill towns situated at the foothills of the South Pennines, approximately 2-3 miles north of Oldham and 8 miles northeast of Manchester.

Both developed from scattered hamlets of farms and handloom weavers’ cottages into substantial industrial centres during the nineteenth century, when the cotton spinning trade transformed this corner of Lancashire.

Shaw, properly known as Shaw and Crompton, traces its textile manufacturing back to 1474. The town experienced a dramatic building boom from the 1860s when land in Oldham became scarce, and by the early twentieth century the area was home to forty-eight cotton mills.

During the interwar years, the town was reportedly home to more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world, such was the profitability of cotton shares. The last mill closed in 1989.

Property styles: Royton & Shaw feature a varied housing stock shaped by their industrial past. Victorian and Edwardian stone-built terraces, originally constructed for mill workers, line many streets in both town centres and remain popular with first time buyers seeking affordable entry points. Moving outward, inter-war and post-war semi-detached homes predominate, particularly along roads such as Rochdale Road and Middleton Road.

The Buckstones and Rushcroft areas of Shaw contain larger modern estates with detached family homes, developed from the 1950s onwards to provide improved housing. Converted mill buildings and newer apartment developments add further variety.

Premium streets: Some of the most sought-after properties can be found along Alpine Drive and Holden Fold Lane in Royton, where semi-detached and detached homes command higher prices. In Shaw, Deer Hill Drive, Lower Fields Rise and the streets around High Crompton Park attract families seeking larger properties with gardens. Rochdale Road in both towns offers a mixture of period properties and newer builds.

Royton & Shaw benefit from strong public transport links, with the area now firmly part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network. The Metrolink tram provides the standout connection, with services running every six to twelve minutes during peak times.

• Tram: Shaw and Crompton Metrolink stop sits on the Oldham and Rochdale Line, offering direct services to Manchester city centre (approximately 40-45 minutes to Piccadilly Gardens), Rochdale, East Didsbury and Oldham. The stop includes a free park-and-ride facility with seven Blue Badge spaces.
• Bus: Frequent Bee Network services connect both towns to Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and Ashton-under-Lyne.

Royton & Shaw sit within easy reach of open moorland and offer several green spaces that define the area’s appeal for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

• Tandle Hill Country Park – Oldham’s oldest country park covers 110 acres of beech woodland and open grassland, with panoramic views across Greater Manchester to the Welsh mountains on clear days. The First World War memorial at the summit commemorates the men of Royton.
• Dunwood Park – A Green Flag park opened in 1912, featuring tennis courts, a bowling green, wooded walks and a café. The park was given to Crompton by local mill owner Captain Abram Crompton and offers views across the Beal Valley towards Crompton Moor.
• Crompton Moor – A Site of Special Scientific Interest rising to 1,283 feet, with an unnamed waterfall and walking routes connecting to Grains Bar and the Saddleworth villages beyond.
• High Crompton Park – A traditional recreation ground with tennis courts, bowling green, playground and formal gardens, popular with families.
• Royton Park – A neighbourhood green space with play equipment and open grass, convenient for families living in central Royton.

The Oldham borough economy has undergone substantial transformation since the decline of the textile industry. According to Office for National Statistics data, there are approximately 94,000 jobs across the borough, with human health and social work activities representing the largest employment sector at 21.6% of roles.

Manufacturing retains a significant presence, accounting for a higher proportion of jobs than the national average.
Major employers locally include the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Oldham Hospital), Oldham Council, and a growing number of distribution and logistics operators who have established facilities in the borough’s former mill buildings and purpose-built warehouses. The closure of Yodel’s Shaw distribution centre in 2024 affected around 350 jobs, though new warehouse and logistics opportunities continue to emerge along the M62 corridor.