Shaw is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, on the northern fringe of Greater Manchester and historically part of Lancashire. It sits close to the rising ground that leads towards the Pennines, so residents benefit from a mix of inner‑urban streets and easy access to nearby moorland and green spaces. The town forms part of the wider Shaw and Crompton community and is a short journey from Manchester by road and rail, making it a practical base for commuters as well as local workers.
Shaw grew rapidly during the 18th and 19th centuries as the cotton industry expanded, leaving a legacy of former mill buildings, terraced housing and a compact high street. Like many post‑industrial towns it has experienced economic change and regeneration efforts, with a local character shaped by community organisations, independent shops and occasional cultural events. Its history in textile manufacture and its position between town and countryside give it a distinctive mix of industrial heritage and everyday suburban life.
Postcode districts covering Shaw
Most populated places nearby
- Manchester 9.2 miles
- Bradford 19.8 miles
- Oldham 2.8 miles
- Wigan 22.5 miles
- Warrington 24.1 miles
- Burnley 16 miles
- Huddersfield 13.2 miles
- Blackburn 20.1 miles
- Bolton 14 miles
- Stockport 12.1 miles
- Salford 10 miles
- Rochdale 4 miles
Neighbouring places
- Shaw and Crompton Parish 0.2 miles
- Crompton Ward 0.6 miles
- Royton Built-up area 1.2 miles
- Royton South Ward 1.4 miles
- Newhey Built-up area 1.4 miles
- St. James' Ward 1.6 miles
- Royton North Ward 1.8 miles
- Milnrow & Newhey Ward 1.9 miles
- Milnrow Built-up area 2.2 miles
- Kingsway Ward 2.2 miles
- Waterhead Ward 2.2 miles
- Denshaw Built-up area 2.3 miles
Example postcodes in Shaw
OL2 7UL, OL2 8SF, OL2 7LJ, OL2 7YG, OL2 7LY, OL2 8HU, OL2 8SX, OL2 7JJ, OL2 8ER … See all
Transport links
- Manchester Airport 17.3 miles
- Leeds Bradford International Airport 26.6 miles
- Shaw and Crompton Railway Station 0.3 miles
- New Hey Railway Station 1.4 miles
- Manchester Piccadilly Gardens Bus Station 9.1 miles
Hotels near Shaw Ad
- Grains Bar Hotel 3 1.6 miles
- The Old Bell Inn 3.3 miles
- Hampton by Hilton Rochdale 3 3.6 miles
- The Royal Toby Hotel 3 3.7 miles
- The Saddleworth Hotel 4 3.9 miles
- The Rake Tapas Accommodation 4 4.6 miles
- Fairway Inn 5.3 miles
- Mercure Manchester Norton Grange Hotel & Spa 4 3.3 miles
- Holiday Inn - Manchester - Oldham 3 4.8 miles
- Dakota Manchester 5 8.9 miles
Schools in Shaw
- Beal Vale Primary School Primary
- Buckstones Primary School Primary
- Crompton Primary School Primary
- East Crompton St James C of E Primary School Primary
- Farrowdale House School Independent - primary
- Rushcroft Primary School Primary
- St Joseph's RC Junior, Infant and Nursery School, A Voluntary Academy Primary
- St Mary's C of E Primary School High Crompton Primary
- The Crompton House C of E Academy Secondary
Local points of interest
- Boundary Park Stadium 2.2 miles
- Spotland Stadium Stadium 4.5 miles
- Blackstone Edge Mountains 4.8 miles
- Manchester Velodrome Stadium 7.7 miles
- Heaton Park Estate 7.7 miles
- City of Manchester Stadium Stadium 8 miles
- Gigg Lane Stadium 8.2 miles
- Manchester Evening News Arena Stadium 8.8 miles
- Manchester MEN Arena Stadium 8.8 miles
- Urbis Manchester Museum 8.9 miles
- Piccadilly Gardens Gardens 9 miles
- Manchester Art Gallery Museum 9.2 miles