Until the early part of the 20th century the area around Abbey Hills was moorland and farmland.

The first major change to the area came in the 1930s with the building by Oldham Borough Council of the Abbey Hills Estate, laid out on Garden City principles on land north and south of Abbey Hills Road, which was then extended to meet Lees New Road, completing the modern–day route to Ashton.

The Manor Inn, built by the Oldham Brewery in 1936–7, occupies a part of its site.

The land was turned over to developers and new houses built in their stead, with the surviving lengths of road renamed.

[1] First Greater Manchester provides service 425 to Holts Village and to Fitton Hill via Glodwick and Oldham.