The Rushcart is held every August, usually on the second weekend after the 12th. In 2027 that should be Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd August, but the date hasn’t been confirmed yet.
This ancient festival involves a cart being dragged through the villages of Saddleworth by teams of Morris Men for two days. This cart carries a stack of moorland rushes around 16 feet tall and weighing around three tonnes when complete, that are being transported to St Chad’s church in Uppermill, where traditionally they were used as flooring to keep the church warm during the colder months.
Oh, and a Morris man balances on the top for the entire time.
It’s actually a really fun weekend and includes a lot of singing and music, a lot of dancing, with Morris Men (and Women) visiting from all over the country, and there’s a touch of gurning thrown in for good measure.
2026 was the 50th Rushcart since the Saddleworth Morris Men revived it in 1975, and a record 28 Morris sides took part.
The timetable is published nearer the time, but the weekend usually follows the same pattern. On the Saturday the cart sets off from The Commercial (The Commie) in Uppermill in the morning and tours the villages, with dancing in Greenfield, Uppermill, Delph and Dobcross before heading back to The Commie in the evening. On the Sunday it leaves Uppermill in the morning for the Rushcart service at St Chad’s Parish Church at 11am, followed from midday by Morris dancing, the worst singer competition and gurning at the Church Inn and the Cross Keys.
More information about the Saddleworth Morris Men, including the Rushcart timetable when it’s announced, can be found on their Facebook group, or you can email them at saddleworthmorris@gmail.com. The Saddleworth Morris Men perform all over the country and sometimes overseas.
Rushcart weekend books up fast, so if you fancy staying at Pots & Pans Cottage, check the dates early. If the cottage is taken, there are loads of other lovely places in the area, though they do get booked up quickly so you’ll have to be fast. Check out Airbnb and Tripadvisor to see them. There are some lovely log cabins and glamping pods available at Dovestones, and if you’re feeling adventurous then there is a fabulous campsite at Well-i-hole farm in Greenfield.
This is a very important weekend in Saddleworth and one of the events that remind us of our past, and our connection to that past. The continued success of the Rushcart weekend is dependent on the number of visitors it attracts. In these modern times, it is often too easy to forget how important these local community events were in shaping our history, and we should cherish and support them before they disappear completely, to our collective loss. Come down and enjoy the experience!
Cheers and beers and Rushcarts!
Cliff