Car Hire Oldham

Car Hire

The Medlock and Irk rivers border the Greater Manchester community of Oldham just northeast of Manchester’s city centre with car hire in Oldham. Little is known of Oldham’s history before the Industrial Revolution, when the town became the most productive cotton spinning community on Earth. Today, Oldham is primarily a residential community whose main attractions include the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, the Oldham Museum and the many renowned performances staged at the Oldham Coliseum.

Who to Book With
Many Oldham visitors choose to acquire their vehicles at the nearby Manchester Airport, no more than a 45-minute drive away. However, Oldham itself has its own fair share of car rental establishments. Enterprise, Europcar and National branches stand alongside ADI, County Car and Van Rental, and a few other independent dealerships. Online booking is accepted at virtually all of these places.

Best Time to go
June, July, and December are Oldham's busiest tourism months, as in other parts of the Greater Manchester area. Although visitors should expect to pay more to rent vehicles or reserve hotel rooms during these months, Oldham rates still tend to be cheaper than in many other Greater Manchester communities.

Need to Know Essentials
These are the most essential documents for securing your rental vehicle:

- A valid UK driver’s license or International Driving Permit
- A passport or other official photo identification
- Confirmed printout of the original car hire reservation

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
The M56 and M60 are the main motorways between Oldham and the city of Manchester. It usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes to drive between the two communities, depending on traffic and times of day. Early morning and evening rush hours bring the biggest traffic jams. The M60 is also the main ring road encircling Manchester.

Our guide to the United Kingdom contains a good deal more driving information.

Transport

Oldham is well connected with the rest of Greater Manchester by road, rail, bus and taxi. Dozens of different bus routes travel to and around the city, but visitors can also arrive directly at the Manchester Victoria rail station from Oldham. Most Oldham taxi companies also travel across the Greater Manchester area.

Trains
Metrolink will soon replace Northern Rail as the region's main rail transportation provider, although there is presently no direct rail service to Oldham town centre. Passengers must first board buses to Mills Hill or Greenfield, the two nearest rail stations to Oldham, before proceeding by train to Manchester Victoria or a number of other destinations.

Buses
As the community containing the main headquarters of First Manchester, Oldham boasts several different bus routes to the rest of Greater Manchester. Orange Line buses numbered 82 and 83 travel between Oldham and Manchester every five minutes, while Purple Line buses numbered 180 and 184 travel between the two communities every 10 minutes. National Express coaches depart Oldham from the Cheapside bus station.

Taxis
Taxi fares between Oldham and Manchester cost roughly £16 for a one-way journey. Most Greater Manchester taxi providers will travel to Oldham, but Borough Taxis Oldham is among the more reputable taxi companies based within Oldham itself. Metered journeys are mandatory within the borders of Manchester's M60 road.

Exploring

Many people overlook Oldham altogether and proceed straight to the much bigger city of Manchester, but Oldham boasts its own fascinating museum, critically acclaimed Oldham Coliseum, and soothing green spaces. Locals especially enjoy relaxing at the nearby Hollingworth Lake Country Park and Visitor Centre, while Alexandra Park links Oldham to its scenic surrounding countryside. A former Uppermill textile mill now houses the Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery.

Recommended Drives

Manchester - Oldham lies less approximately 11 kms away from Manchester, one of England's largest cities outside of London. This former industrial city has become one of the nation's leading centres for shopping, culture and sport. Visitors can see where Manchester's history began at its original Roman settlement site in Castlefield or witness the city's multicultural present at its Chinatown and Curry Mile or take in a Manchester City or Manchester United football game.

Hollingworth Lake Country Park and Visitor Centre - This stands mere minutes outside of Oldham near the stunning Blackstone Edge. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the water sports at Lake Bank's water activity centre as well as the hiking trails across the country park. A camping and caravan site is available for visitors wishing to spend the night.

Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery - The textile mill containing the Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery features exhibits from all of the region's historic eras, from archaeology finds from the Roman Empire to cutting edge contemporary art exhibits. Preserved looms and other machinery from Oldham's Industrial Revolution cotton spinning era are scattered throughout this interesting museum.