Historic Inns

We want to identify all the Cheshire pubs with exteriors, interiors, rooms or features worthy of preservation. We invite all our readers to let us have details of any they know. Whether you are a Licensee or a pub-user please get in touch.
Contact details are shown in each branch section, or you can E-mail us at editor@outinncheshire.co.uk
Don’t delay: these pieces of our heritage are under threat!

These prestigious awards recognise some of our finest inns.

2006 Prince of Wales, Macclesfield
2005 Ship, Wincle
2004 Prince of Wales, Macclesfield
2003 Beartown Tap, Congleton.
2002 Beartown Tap, Congleton.
2001 Poacher’s Inn, Bollington

See our East Cheshire awards section for details of these and our seasonal and other awards.

Drinkers buy their own pub

The Swan at Kettleshulme has been saved from closure by a consortium of locals. The former licensee, Ian Edmonds, closed the pub and planned to convert it into a private house. Determined regulars banded together and after much negotiation, raised the necessary £425,000 to buy the pub.

Their first approach to buy the 15th century coaching inn was rejected by Mr Edmonds because he planned to keep it as a family home. But after a campaign to save the pub as an asset to the village, he had a change of heart and said they could have it at the minimum price he was willing to accept.

The new owners looked for a full-time licensee to run the business. John Adamson, the Swan's previous landlord for 20 years who still lives in the village, took over the licence until a new publican could be appointed.

The pub has been recorded as far back as 1665, but historians believe it could have been built as a wayside stop for travellers 200 years earlier.

The 21-member consortium was established after villagers decided the loss of the ancient inn was the final straw following the closure of the post office and the local shop.

One of them, Matthew Barnes, said: "You have got to fight to preserve what is good in rural villages. We lost the post office and the shop and we just had to make a stand to save the Swan. When we heard we had been successful it was euphoric."

The Campaign for Real Ale is enthusiastically behind this effort. The Swan has established in recent times a reputation for a wide choice of real ales, kept in excellent condition. It has shown great support for Cheshire-brewed beers from our independent micro-breweries. Beer lovers would travel from far and wide to visit the Swan. It is hoped that this reputation will be retained and enhanced by the new owners and not overloked in the euphoria of their victory.

The consortium is to keep the Swan as a real-ale pub serving home-made bar snacks, as well as making efforts to re-open the post office on the premises and a delivery point for goods ordered from the internet.

The consortium has had the backing of the 300 villagers with free offers of help with repairs and staffing the bar.

Congleton area

CONGLETON - REAL ALE PARADISE?

I moved to Congleton four years ago after ten years away. My first CAMRA activity in the area was contributing to the "Out Inn Cheshire" pub guide - published in 1998. In those days, Congleton could hardly be called a Real Ale Paradise. Only two pubs served guest beers and the town was dominated by the national breweries. Serious drinkers travelled to Macclesfield on the train or bus. Today the serious drinkers are travelling the other way. The picture in Congleton has changed almost beyond recognition!
First there are the new pubs. The most famous is Beartown Brewery's Beartown Tap, but also there is Wetherspoons' Counting House and the Woodlands pub/restaurant. All serve quality real ale and guest beers.
Second there is the real ale gain of the Bull's Head - a keg only pub now bought by Hydes - although reports so far are not very encouraging.
Third and most encouraging is the existing pubs that have dramatically improved their beer ranges. Four spring to mind: The Queens Head Hotel, listed in 1998 with just two hand-pumps offering Tetley Bitter and Ansells Mild now has an array of seven hand-pumps, including two guests and regularly featuring local beers. The Castle Inn still has its Greenall's Bitter and has lost the Greenall's Original (no longer brewed) but has replaced it with Timothy Taylor's Landlord and two guest beers. The Wharf has also lost the Original but replaced it with a guest beer and also swapped the now defunct Greenall's Mild for the much more exciting Cain's Mild. Finally, the Robin Hood may have lost the glorious Bateman's Dark Mild (no longer sold through the Marston's Estate), but regularly has two guest beers to make up for it. All these pubs serve excellent quality ales, two of them are GBG listed.
When you also take into account the other pubs listed above and the excellent Leisure Centre Bar, still flying the flag for a variety of unusual and exciting beers in an unexpected venue - has Congleton become a Real Ale Paradise? Perhaps it has.
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A pub crawl of Congleton was enlightening. The Queens was a great hit with everyone, with some delightful beers and a friendly atmosphere. Black Mamba from Sarah's Hop House brewery in Warrington was the recipient of some mixed scores, ranging from good to excellent, while locally brewed Caught Behind from Khean was judged very good by everyone (Yes, you've guessed it, this is an old article and Khean brewery is no more, but we have left it in as most of this material is very useful). Top beer of the visit, however, was Beowulf Glutlusty, a weirdly named and very distinctive beer. Nobdy tried the Abbot, the Ansells Mild or the Tetleys. Heck of a range.
Next port of call was the White Lion, and here, sadly, the ale was not on best form. The only one on offer was Greene King IPA. Certainly our local members report good beer here regularly, so we must have hit it on a rare bad night.
Moving on, we hit the Leisure Centre next, being rewarded by Caledonian's Mellow Yellow (pretty good), and Golden Promise (a little better).
Our peregrinations ended in the Beartown Tap, and I can think of few better places to end an evening. Always half a dozen beers on tap, and looked after by people who care. Five of the Beartown range were sampled, with Polar Eclipse Stout, Bear Ass and Black Bear all scoring well. The Kodiak Gold and the Bearskinful scored extremely well, the best of the evening.

Woodlands is now under new management, and the emphasis at certain times of the day is very much on food. However, real ale is still available. One correspondent had a pint of Boddingtons with his lunch there (which was OK as Boddies goes), but there was also a pump clip for Caledonian Deuchars IPA, although the barrel had only just been tapped when he was there, and it wasn't yet ready to serve. We unaware of anywhere else in Congleton which sells it. We hear that the Deuchars IPA was on good form when sampled later.

Bull's Head; at long last one can drink real ale here! He had a good-ish pint of Hyde's Bitter, although another visitor felt it was of indifferent quality. There was another pump clip turned round, for Jekyll's Gold.

The Counting House is a little erratic with guest beers. One visit saw only the standard Wetherspoon's line-up of Theakston's, Spitfire, Directors' & Summer Lightning available. Admittedly this is better than most pubs in the town can offer, but when you've gone with the main aim of trying a new beer, it could be a bit of a let-down. The Spitfire was very good though. Another local confirms that as a rule they have two guest beers on at a time with one waiting although sales of guest ale are on the increase and sometimes they are caught out by demand. Two other CAMRA members have been sampling the guest ales and finding them to be on top form.

A poster re-awoke my interest in a curry and a pint for £3.99. However when I read it closely, the only pint that you can have is a pint of gassy filth or a pint of smooth filth. I seem to remember some problem along these lines when I last wanted the curry deal. Be careful if this offer interests you.”
Well, Wetherspoons, what do you say? Rolly says your beer is delicious and excellent value, but poor unsuspecting customers wanting a meal and a pint at a special price are fobbed off with a third rate keg beer! Any chance of a change here?

The Wharf, Congleton - has introduced a guest ales programme! This is alongside Greenall's Bitter and the far more interesting Greenall's Mild and Timothy Taylor Landlord. The Castle, Congleton - not to be outdone has introduced a second guest ale. Both continue to change regularly.

The Queens, Congleton - continues its programme of sourcing its beers from local brewers. Slaters are providing the current beer and excellent it is too. Next due was Old Dog from Weetwood.

Real Ale Gain. Good news from the Throstle’s Nest in Buglawton. This former keg-only pub owned by Punch Taverns has taken a turn for the better with the arrival of a new licensee. Russ Smith has added real ales in the form of Draught Bass and a rotating guest beer. Hydes Bitter, Everards Beacon and Old Speckled Hen have all been featured, and have sold well. This is a traditional local, with bar snacks available. Russ, you are doing the right thing: good luck!

The Daily Telegraph recently made an presentation to the best 'country-style' pub in England. The Harrington Arms in Gawsworth fought through to the last six, the actual winner being the a pub in Somerset. This honour comes a no surprise to those of us who know and love this beautiful unspoilt inn.

The Farmers Arms, West Road, Congleton has reopened under new ownership, after being closed for several weeks. It has been refurbished and a good job has been done on it. Although the pub has been technically one room for years, it has been done in a way that the previous rooms can be identified as snug alcoves.
The good news is the return of real ale after many years of only "fizz". They serve Worthington Cask and Draft Bass. My pint of Worthington was very good and cost £1.90. The warm welcome by the bar staff, and my pint being topped up before I asked, were very much appreciated.
The only downside for me was the music, which was not as loud as many places but too much for me. However the market that the Farmers caters for will probably expect and enjoy the music, and a pub must provide what its customers want.
Whilst I saw no sign of food, boards on the wall proclaim breakfasts every day, roasts on Sunday lunchtime, and tapas. The special on the board was a Tapas platter for two people for £12.95.

Wilmslow, Knutsford and Mobberley area

Wilmslow
Knutsford
Mobberley
and around

Good news from the Ship Inn at Styal over near Manchester Airport. In charge since May 2004 are Ray and Sheena, formerly of the Swan in Wilmslow, (when it was a thriving alehouse with a bar full of guest beers,) and more recently, pleasing the citizens of Stalybridge. Some interesting guest beers have appeared already, and when I popped in, not only were the Broadside and Bombardier in excellent nick, but two beers from Storm Brewing of Macclsfield were in the cellar (Windgather and Storm Damage). Plans include a much enhanced range of beers, with locally-sourced real ales, and indeed a later visit revealed no fewer than four guest beers. The pub has been brightened up by a lick of paint in the summer. We anticipate great things for the Ship; an attractive pub, it cannot fail to benefit from the enthusiasm and experience of the new management.
The Ship held its first Beer Festival on August Bank Holiday Weekend, with an intriguing ranges of real ales, all chosen to have a nautical theme, arrayed in a small marquee in the courtyard behind the pub. The Ship is a welcome asset to Styal, and we wish Ray and Sheena well.

Wilmslow
The King William is now selling Robinson's range of seasonal ales alongside the Robinsons Hatters Mild and Best Bitter. Boldly, it became wholly non-smoking last year, in what may prove to be the vanguard of a movement of all our pubs. The Swan has now increased its beer range again, and seems to have taken over as town centre favourite from the Rectory, which on the last couple of visits has had a much reduced range of beers, all served rather too cold..
Another pub with a lot less choice than hitherto was the Bollin Fee. Formerly known as the Grape & Grain, this now sells only three real ales from its stainless steel bar. Boddies and Spitfire seem to be regular, and on the last two forays, the guest beeer was conspicuous by its absence.
Another chain pub that seems inexplicably to be turning its back on the real beer scene is the Hog's Head, formerly the Hogshead. One recent visit produced no real ale at all, and unsurprisingly, very few customers. Only two hand pumps grace the bar now, in what used to be an interesting ale house, and the clips were turned round on both the pumps, apparently sold out after a busy weekend. This chain is apparently up for sale by its owner, Laurel Pub Co. Let's hope the new owners have more idea about how to run a pub. Having said that, a visit later in the week revealed London Pride on sale alongside a tasty drop of Deuchars IPA.

Finally, Hydes Coach & Four had only two cask beers: Light Mild and Bitter. The Jekyll's Gold was temporarily unavailable and the pub now only stocks the Hyde's seasonal brews during the busier summer months.

What is to happen to the George & Dragon in Wilmslow? This former Bass pub is of great architectural significance, and must be seen as under threat. What chance one of our local independent brewers taking it on and making a success of a great building, where one of the insensitive giants failed so miserably? We hear a rumour of a possible purchase by Middleton brewer, John Willie Lees. This would be an asset to the town, but we have no confirmation.

The attractive Farmers Arms continues to sell Boddingtons in a traditional and busy atmosphere.

Further along, a chance visit to the Rifleman's Arms tucked away up Moor lane away from the centre of Wilmslow revealed a keen new tenant in charge. Christopher "Kip" Hulme has a track record in the business, perhaps most notable for our readers being a spell as assistant manager of the lost lamented Old Mill in Cheadle Hulme.
He has made changes at the pub, including extending the opening hours. The pub now hosts a quiz on Thursdays, and is planning to introduce food. This may take the form of a "Sausage Emporium".
Music is likely to feature, with the prospect of monthly live jazz session. Footie fans are not forgotten either, all the big matches can be seen on the wide screen TV. The guest beer policy is an important part of Kip's philosophy, and you can expect to see one or two over the course of a weekend. There is even talk of an in-pub Beer Festival once trade has built up sufficiently. On my visit, Pedigree was guesting, but Taylor's Golden Best, Bateman's XXXB, Abbott and Brains SA were all in prospect.
The Rifleman's is certainly one to watch; enthusiasm of this sort is good to see. Would that we had more!

Knutsford
The Lord Eldon is the Good Beer guide entry for the town and usually has three cask ales, with consistently high quality. Since the smoking ban, this is a delight to visit, with its gorgeous frontage, low beams and open fire. It was the Winter Pub of the Season 2007 and present live music once or twice a week.

The Cross Keys continues to boast the widest choice of real ale in Knutsford. A gleaming bank of five hand pumps greets the visitor. One of the regular ales is the delightful Tim Taylor's Landlord, a beer which has won the Champion Beer of Britain award more times than any other. Three of the pumps feature a regularly changing range of guest ales. On a crawl in March, we had some of the best beer we have ever tasted. Brewed by Slaters of Eccleshall, "Grand un" scored 9 out of 10 on our scale. It only narrowly topped the "Muttley's revenge".

The Angel no longer sells Holts Mild, with only the Bitter and a Holts seasonal ale appearing on hand pump. On the edge of town, the Builders Arms has Marstons Bitter starring alongside Banks's Bitter and Original. Nearby, the Legh Arms has had some of the traditional wall panelling ripped out and more of it painted white. The pub looks brighter, but I can't help feeling that it has lost most of what traditional character it still had. Marston's Bitter and pedigree are found here.

We hear that one of Knutsford's pair of keg-only pubs has seen the light and discovered the merits of real ale. The Falcon Bearer has been selling Copper Dragon Best Bitter and IPA, alongside a somewhat more predictable Tetley Bitter. We hear that the landlord is very keen on cask ale, and we wish him every success with this endeavour. The pub may soon be renamed, possibly the Henry Royce.

Mobberley
Some good ale in Mobberley recently. The Good Beer Guide listed Roebuck continues to sell four cask ales to a largely dining clientele, and tastings of Tim Taylor’s Landlord, Greene King Abbot and Youngs Special have been most pleasant.
The neighbouring Bull’s Head has three cask ales on. The Bull's Head is warm and welcoming, with a true country local atmosphere.

Up the lane, and opposite the church, the eponymous Church Inn was purveying Boddingtons, Tetley and a decent drop of Pedigree on a recent inspection. Being situated a lofted cover drive from Mobberley Cricket Club, this would be an interesting place to adjourn for a meal and a pint after an afternoon watching the MCC! Having said that, a more imaginative choice of beers would tempt me back more often: I wonder if they are free to change the range? Any chance of some Storm, Beartown or other local beers?

The Plough & Flail had changed its range to Boddingtons, Worthington Best Bitter (rare in this neck of the woods), and Draught Bass. This latter was on good form when I visited last year, but I can’t help thinking that the range could show have shown a little more imagination. Subsequent to my visit, however, we learn it is closed and boarded up. The rumour is that it was being sold; does anyone know any more?

The Stag at Great Warford changed hands some time ago. The occupants are Laurence Hobday and Alan Burrows, who forecast that by next summer the place will be heaving, with a beer garden in full swing! The kitchens have been completely re-equipped and the whole pub has been redecorated and reupholstered. One room has had a fireplace restored. Food service includes brunch (all day breakfast) available 10.00am (yes) to 2.00pm and Sunday roast 4.00pm to 7.00pm. The beer available is the somewhat unimaginative duo of Boddingtons and Greenalls. The plan is to install a third hand pump, the Boddies will stay (it's apparently very popular!), the Greenalls will go, a possible replacement being Pedigree, and the new pump will dispense a guest beer.

A new CAMRA member has been into the Dun Cow at Ollerton, between Knutsford and Chelford. He describes it as very pleasant, but aimed mainly at diners. He thought that you might feel a little uncomfortable if you were just in for a drink (although it has nver stopped me, and they do have some nice settees!). Three cask ales seemed to be available, including Courage Directors and Marstons Pedigree. The food is good, and not too expensive. The range is good and it is all home-cooked.

...and around

Allostock
Ashley
Chelford
The Peovers

Allostock
The Drovers at Allostock on the A50 south of Knutsford is a regular music venue but does not neglect the cask beers. A recent visit revealed one of the two variations of the new Holts beer, Baton Gold. This was the 4.3% ABV version and it tasted very palatable. I understand that a beer from Hop House was due next. Its companions on the hand pumps were Boddingtons and Pedigree, along with cask cider in the shape of Old Rosie, weighing in at a knee-trembling 7.3%.
In the same evening's wandering, the Parkgate was visited. This is a lovely pub, inside and out, and has a good reputation for its food. Being a Sam Smiths pub, it has only one cask beer, the Old Brewery Bitter.

Chelford and Ollerton
The former Dixon Arms is now only a memory, with housing haviing sprung up on the site. The nearby Egerton Arms probably picked up a lot of additional trade in consequence. This large, fairly food-oriented pub offers two guest beers in addition to the standard offering from the national brewers. Recently tasted was a seasonal offering, Rosey Nosey from Lincolnshire brewer, Bateman's. Delicious.

The Dun Cow at Ollerton, between Knutsford and Chelford has become a firm favourite with discerning diners who like good ale as well as good food. The food is very good, and not too expensive. The range is good and seems to bel home-cooked. The Dun Cow is rather like a wine bar or restaurant in atmosphere, with a fashionable decor and restrained ambience. With a modern, trendy décor and its adventurous and daily-changing menu, it has become a favourite venue for my wife and myself. The pub has a welcoming real fire.
However, you will always expect a beery angle from your editor, and will not be surprised to discover that the Dun Cow sells three traditional beers and while some of these might not excite the experienced beer connoisseur, but the regular ale from Weetwood of Tarporley certainly brightens up the bar. Old Dog has been featured on several of our visits, and certainly enhanced an evening where quality was the keynote. The actual choice of beer will rotate, but Old Dog is pretty regular.

Lower Peover, Over Peover & Peover Heath
A little further west, the Crown in Lower Peover boasts seven hand pumps dispensing real beers. One of these is usually a Cheshire microbrewery product, and on this occasion, Weetwood's Eastgate Ale was found to be on blisteringly good form. Dark Mild usually graces the bar, too. The Crown was awarded the accolade of East Cheshire Pub of the Season for Autumn 2005. This was due in part to the successful policy of selling well-kept traditional beers alongside home-cooked food in a traditional country pub. Seems like a good formula.

The nearby Bells has always had a reputation as a destination place for dining. We can't say, but must confess to having heard a number of less than complimentary unsolicited comments about the quality of both food and service in recent times. One informant complained to the staff when dish after dish selected from the specials board was revealed to be unavailable. She was told that they are not allowed to remove the names of these dishes without permission from the Area Manager. What sort of management is that? Perhaps the take-over by Chef and Brewer has not helped.

The Dog at Peover Heath has a Happy Hour from 5 to 7 on weekdays, with 20p off beers. Real Ales are Hydes Bitter, Moorhouse Black Cat, Weetwood Best Cask Bitter. Copper Dragon also makes the occasional appearance. Alongside home-cooked food, two popular quiz nights a week and regular theme and music evenings, this is a pub that offers just about everything you could ask. "What about a Beer Festival?", you ask. The Annual Dog Beer Festival is held at the end of July.

Black Swan, Lower Withington. This pub/restaurant changed hands, resulting in the previously reported all day opening. Good news is that the number of hand pumps has quadrupled, beers on offer on one visit were Theakston's Bitter, John Smith's Cask, Pedigree and Storm Tornado. The question does arise as to whether the turnover is sufficient to sustain four beers in good condition.

Red Lion, Goostrey. Tetley and Archers on offer, also a tempting 2x 3-course meals for £18.95 (£14.95 Seniors), but no information on the quality of the meals is available.

Ashley
On the crossroads in Ashley, between Altrincham and Mobberley is the Greyhound. Another inn with a rotating guest beer, this provided me with a welcome warming half of Ushers Winter Storm. We have had some very good food here, and I discovered that the old books on the shelves are real. I had a fascinating half hour reading about life before the mast. On a February visit, the Greyhound continues with the guest beers, alongside the Boddies and Pedigree. We just missed the Ridley's Prospect, while Thwaites Bitter was promised.

Holmes Chapel
The George & Dragon in Holmes Chapel has been awarded a Highly Commended certificate by Robinsons in its Best Kept Bar & Cellar Competition. The Old Red Lion nearby is selling Wells Bombardier at a somewhat pricey £2.30. Aventis Social Club is having the bar refurbished in the large room, and will have six hand pumps dispensing Beartown beers plus a guest ale.

Macclesfield and Bollington area

Macclesfield, Bollington

Macclesfield

The Plough on Prestbury Road (at the Macclesfield end of this truncated road) near the town centre changed hands at the end of 2003 and has been redecorated in a Titanic (the ship) theme. Real Ales have included Greenalls, Tetleys and two guest beers In recent times, Titanic (the brewery) beers from Burslem have been sighted, and we understand that Youngs Bitter has become a regular feature.
Of particular note for the summer is the back yard with its benches and flower displays.

The Brewer's Arms at the crossroads of Bridge Street and Crossan Street in Macclesfield is now selling two cask beers. This is a welcome development after many years of keg misery when the two hand pumps languished unused on the bar and a mocking sign at the door made a cynical and hollow promise of cask conditioned ales to the unwary visitor. The new licensee is proud to be selling proper beer and offers Deuchars IPA and a guest beer to his much relieved regulars. A second guest beer is promised, once another hand pump has been installed.

The Packhorse at Broken Cross in Macclesfield is now selling a guest beer in addition to the traditional Boddingtons. A recent visit found Robinsons Unicorn.

A presentation for an Outstanding Contribution to Real Ale was made to Martin and Vicky Cortvriend, at the time, licensees of the George and Dragon at Higher Hurdsfield, by Macclesfield CAMRA.
In their time at the pub, Martin & Vicky put a lot of energy into a successful renovation, uncovering lots of original features, as well as provided a stunning choice of top form real ales.
Martin described running the pub as having a mini beer festival every day, and the range has always been varied, often including a dark mild or porter.
They have now moved on to pastures new, to a farm in mid-Wales and plan to set up a small brewery.
The award was to acknowledge their contribution to the real ale scene in Macclesfield and CAMRA wish them both well in their future endeavours.
The George and Dragon is now an Aviator Inn and reopened with a temporary troubleshooter manager, whose brief was to get the place sorted and up and running , ironing out any problems before the new tenants take over. These have run a pub in West Yorkshire for ten years, he has served real ale but she hasn't, but she is going to be trained by the aforesaid manager, who went out of his way to reassure us that he knew what he was doing- and he has also tried to address the perennial problem at that pub of the beer coming too cold. A fair pint of Bombardier was supped, and this is to stay as the house beer at the regulars' request. Aviator are also in the process of getting Three Rivers to brew them their own house 'Aviator ale'.
More news when we have it!

The Waters Green Tavern has received yet another award! Brian was presented with an award for his "Outstanding Contribution to Real Ale".
The CAMRA Pub Of the Season award for Spring 2003 was made to Brian & Tracey. This is the only pub in nearly 5 years to have received the award more than once. It was the branch's first pub of the season in 1999 and followed this by becoming 1999 Pub of the Year. Macclesfield and East Cheshire Campaign for Real Ale covers a large area from Wilmslow to Knutsford to Congleton, including Bollington and Rainow, so to win such an award in an area blessed with real ale pubs is an achievement. To do so twice was in appreciation of the sustained quality of the beer at the Waters, known not just locally but also in Stockport and beyond. The Waters Green Tavern, however, not only sells a large range of well kept beers, but also Real Cider and serves excellent food at lunchtimes. It is a real local, with many pub teams and matches based in the pub. If you could sit in the Waters for a week, eventually you would probably see every real ale lover you know at the bar!

A new landlady Sarah has taken over the Ivy House on Park Lane in Macclesfield. Still selling Burtonwood bitter. The former keg only beer desert Amsterdam Bar in Macclesfield has reopened in new guise as the Swan with Two Necks, and a couple of hand pumps have been spotted. Reports please.

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For National Pub Week- 'There's a pub for everyone' - we wanted to show what a variety of pubs Macclesfield Town Centre has, within easy reach of the shops. We also wanted to look at the type of pubs that might attract people who aren't used to 'little unspoilt gems!'

We began at the Society Rooms, part of a national chain (Wetherspoons). This is a good meeting place, suitable for everyone (except children), with plenty of space to sit on a Saturday lunchtime -but not on weekend evenings, when it is packed! Also excellent toilets. Sadly one of the guest beers was labelled 'unavailable' (why is it policy not to turn the clips round?) but we sampled the Janus from Lees and the Porter's Sunshine before crossing the road to the Jar Bar.
This is a tied Hydes' house, but very different form a traditional pub. Fitted out in light wood and chrome, it has large plate glass windows. A raised area at the back is separated from the main area by a long curved 'shelf' with stools to enable customers to perch as at a traditional bar. On Saturday lunch time there was a wide rang of ages drinking the excellent Hyde's Bitter and Jekyll's Gold. However it is packed in the evenings with a dress code and security on the door (we even had problems dropping off the posters as the security men took exception to our footwear!). This, with the Society Rooms, and a few other bars at that end of town, attract a younger crowd and may encourage at least some to try the real ale on offer.

Up the hill, and a quick look in at the White Lion, which we have been told has been having a guest ale (Thwaites Gold on a recent report?). Sadly the pump clip was turned (take note, Wetherspoons) so we did not stop but carried on to the Prince of Wales (a Porter's Ale House). Here we were greeted by a display of posters and beermats and presented with key-rings to mark the occasion. There were five beers on offer, all in good condition. The key-ring gave the Website address, on which internet addicts can see who is out in the real world having fun. We opted for the end of the bar out of webcam range! However all praised the beer and the pub received praise from the other drinkers we met there. It too is crowded on a weekend night.

Through the car park, across Mill Street and down to the Castle- and a great contrast to the previous pubs. The Castle, on the National Inventory of Unspoilt Pubs, has a small white frontage onto a narrow cobbled back street between the main shopping street and Waters Green. Inside there are four rooms, panelled in dark wood, many gleaming with brass ornaments. There is a small bar and an even smaller serving hatch into the corridor entrance. Sadly the Mild was no longer available, so we had some Theakston's bitter.

Last port of call was the ever consistent Waters Green Tavern, where a final toast was drunk to celebrate the variety of pubs available.
Sadly, time did not permit the visiting of many other pubs, which serve good real ale in the immediate area, and if I attempt to list them I run the risk of offending those I accidentally miss. Explore for yourselves. All in all, a good, if exhausting, way to celebrate National Pub week. Just these pubs mentioned gave the chance to sample at least 15 different beers, many from smaller or more unusual breweries. Whatever your age, favourite type of pub, or type of beer, there is something out there to suit everyone.

In Macclesfield, the Waters Green never disappoints- certainly the Roosters Special was very welcome after a trip to the Highlands of Scotland where real beer is hard to find. If you only ever go in on the way home from work, find an excuse to drop in at lunch time- the home cooked food is good basic satisfying home cooked pub grub.

In Macclesfield the Silkman, which is currently closed, is up for sale for £145,000. The Star on London Road has just changed hands. Good luck to the new licensees in yet another former GBG pub that has been allowed to run down by Marstons. Also a belated welcome to the new landlord of the Dolphin in Macclesfield who is a CAMRA member and is now taking delivery of Opening Times each month.
At the ever-excellent Railway View one of our members tried Cains Doctor Duncans, Weetwood Oasthouse Gold and Derwent Bill Monks; all were rather good. Nags Head in Macclesfield is very smart with rooms opened out into archways etc. Refurbished. Still two pool rooms and a small outside drinking area (yard). Stadium bitter as well as the usual Robbie's suspects.

Pubs in West Macclesfield
Macclesfield is lucky to have lots of lively back-street local pubs, particularly to the west of the town centre. They're all friendly and welcoming, and most have darts, pool, crib or quiz teams. Near South Park the White Swan in Rodney St has a new licensee and sells Boddingtons.
The Evening Star has a wide range of ales regularly offering Camerons Strongarm, Everards Tiger, Marstons and Mansfield bitters along with other guests.
New landlady Judy Taylor at the Peels Arms has Thwaites Lancaster Bomber and bitter.
Along Park Lane the Ivy House has Burtonwood bitter and tried its first guest Old Hookey just before Christmas.
The Park Tavern has well-kept Robinsons bitter. Further west the Prince Albert in Newton St had Wadworth 6X on my latest visit. If you're in the area during the day Granellis ice cream factory shop is well worth a visit.
Around the corner on Bond St the Crown has Tetley bitter and its guest was Charles Wells Bombardier.
Up the road the Barnfield has Robinsons bitter.
The Chester Road Tavern has a wide selection with John Smiths, Cains, Tetley and Theakstons bitters. The Tavern is one of the few pubs regularly selling mild. I've had Cains dark mild, but on a recent visit it was an enjoyable Tetley mild.
On the truncated section of Prestbury Road, the Plough had truly excellent Greenalls bitter. The Crompton Road Tavern has Burtonwood bitter.
Along the road the Bruce Arms is a lively pub with well-kept Tetley bitter, and on our visit Fullers London Pride as a guest.
The Ox-fford is no longer a free house, having been acquired by Jennings, the Cumbrian brewer. Reports would be welcome.
On Congleton Road the Flower Pot is a large pub with a garden and often young clientele selling Robinsons bitter.
A real surprise is the Weavers, an estate pub in Thornton Square. Regular beers are Tetley and Robinsons bitter, but at weekends a guest usually from a tempting list of small independent breweries is added. A blackboard in the lounge shows forthcoming guests.

Broken Cross and Henbury

Managers Tony and Kath at the Broken Cross Institute are keen to sell real ale. Recent visits have found Fullers London Pride and Robinsons bitter. Weekend guests are from the Cask Masters selection.
Nearby the Bulls Head regularly has Boddingtons and Tetley bitters, and now has 2 full time guest beers available, recently Skinners Cornish and Brains. The landlord is keen and enjoys the challenge of choosing the guests. Call in and give it a try.
Across the road the Packhorse sells Boddingtons bitter.
The Cock at Henbury has a full range of Robinsons with consistently good Best Bitter, Hatters Mild, Hartleys XB, Snowdon and the seasonal brew. At Christmas the Old Tom was just what you'd expect and the new Double Hop is an excellent tasty beer. Food is popular with a restaurant and lounge that's foody at times. Around the other side is a true village public bar, full of characters. There's a children's playground around the back.
Sadly the Blacksmiths has no real ale despite the signs at the car park entrance.

Thanks to Martin and Vicky, the new folk at the George and Dragon, Higher Hurdsfield for hosting a CAMRA Games night. There was pool, darts in the snug, and two tables reserved for other games. The new Shut the Box was tested and received acclaim and interest- several other pub-goers watching and then venturing a go. The Shove ha'penny board also drew attention. Cask beers on offer included Crouch Vale, Bison Ale and Ruby Mild

Bollington
The Poachers in Bollington has been awarded Cask Marque and celebrated by selling real ale at £1 a pint for the evening!

A correspondent visited the Vale in Bollington, for the first time in for me since it re-opened. Beers on were Sam Smiths, one of the Weetwood range and Storm's Windgather. The Windgather was excellent (£1.85) The Vale is still quiet - it's going to take a while for trade to pick up. As summer approaches, they should see more from people out on the canal, Middlewood way etc. We get the feeling there has been a marked reduction in business throughout the whole of Bollington. Further to my last report about the re-opening I can now add that it has no juke box, pool table, television or electronic games of any kind. The opening hours are 17.30-23.00 Monday, 11.30-15.00 & 17.30-23.00 Tuesday-Thursday and all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday. We are told by the Macclesfield Licensing Officer that it will be a genuine free house.

The Cotton Tree in Bollington has improved considerably since it changed hands a few months back - its clean, brightly lit, all of the idiots have gone, the beer is good and a guest ale policy has been introduced. Along side the Tetley's & Boddingtons recent guest ales have been Waggledance, Archer's Best Bitter and Black Sheep.

In Bollington, the Church House after changing hands now sells Tim Taylor’s Landlord, Greene King IPA and the ubiquitous Tetley. While the emphasis is still very much on food, it must be said that the IPA is 38p cheaper than the Redway Tavern just up the hill.

The Daily Telegraph recently made an presentation to the best 'country-style' pub in England. The Harrington Arms in Gawsworth fought through to the last six, the actual winner being the a pub in Somerset. This honour comes a no surprise to those of us who know and love this beautiful unspoilt inn.

We can recommend a trip to the Plough, Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, now run by Mark Broomhead and a much improved pub. Mark has extended the range of beers from merely Greenalls to add Tetleys, Boddingtons and a guest ale from the Pubmaster range, which includes the likes of Archers and Skinners - well worth a visit.

There has been much change in licensees and managers in Bollington: the Meridian is now a free house (the other free house being the Poachers) run by Dianne and Keith. They are trying really hard to drum up business which should be commended. Black Sheep Bitter is a regular beer, with a guest beer also. Regular jam sessions feature on Monday and Thursday with a Sunday quiz night ever two weeks. It's believed that Dianne & Keith don't actually own the pub but rent it from a third party, but this could be just village talk.


The landlord of the Holly Bush has moved on and we're waiting a change-over soon. Hopefully the beer quality (Robinsons) will improve as it didn't appear to go down too well during the pub crawl. This pub has great decor inside and could compliment the Spinners and Meridian as central Bollington pubs. The Spinners continues to attract a younger clientele.


Anyone who has heard that the Redway Tavern in Kerridge might yet re-open can think again. The JCBs moved in proceeded to demolish the pub, which was only built during the Eighties & Nineties.

Up in the hills...

Langley, Rainow, Sutton, Wincle

Langley
The Leathers Smithy is now owned by Scottish Newcastle. Licensees Pat and Paul McMahon previously ran a pub for Greenalls in Burtonwood. Paul is a chef by trade. Excellent news is that S & N have allowed them to keep 4 beers on: Directors, Pedigree, Theakstons bitter and a varying guest- at time of one visit York Brewery Terrier- and real cider is still on. They have also featured Ale Force from popular local brewer, Storm. The Leathers Smithy was closed for a while for a major refurbishment, which includes extending the pub into the cottage next door - it should be open for business by the time you read this.

Honour for the Hanging Gate, Higher Sutton: the McGrath family have been awarded Cask Marque status. Hydes’ Seasonal beer 'One to Unwind' was superb! Also excellent home-made minestrone soup!

Richard Maurice, who previously ran the village shop, has taken over at the St Dunstan in Langley (near Macclesfield) - and is hoping to stay for 10 years (as opposed to the very rapid turnover of landlords there recently). The pub is tied to the Pyramid selection for the next six months, after which, although still tied to Pyramid for most of the pumps, he can have 'a pump to himself', as he put it, and is hoping to be able to source locally as well as further afield. He has started asking the regulars to choose a beer off the list- then 'if people don't like it, it's not his fault'- and when I was there it was marked on the blackboard as 'Hobson's choice'- because they couldn't get the one they'd ordered!
Pyramid's list does at least contain some more interesting brews.
The local vicar had given up alcohol for Lent, so Richard asked him to choose one for Maundy Thursday, when he could drink again! The choice- Nethergate's Old Growler.

Rainow
At the Highwayman,the new beer is doing well, also the new restaurant venture. Haven't tried that yet but the bar food is good. A well-merited award as Autumn Pub of the Season was made in 2004.
Also in Rainow, the Rising Sun, the guest beer is often unusual and always good. Recent offerings- a Boggart Hole beer and Brakspears Organic (delicious- 5stars), Food popular, especially Monday evening Landlord's Choice- FREE food from 7 till it runs out - chilli was excellent, as were the Italian meatballs- guess who often doesn't have to cook on a Monday now?
The accommodation at the Robin Hood, Rainow is now ready (it is even being advertised on Silk FM). The pub is conveniently placed for access to the Peak District and is only a few miles outside of Macclesfield. The accommodation is en suite and would suit either business people or ramblers while the pub sells 3 different cask ales and has an extensive menu - food is available all day.

Sutton
Hanging Gate Higher Sutton. a correspondent called in here for a pint and found Hyde's Red Admiral, they had the Jekyll's Gold on with the Bitter too.

The Ryles Arms, Sutton has an extension planned which will include two further hand-pumps- Mauldons plus Bass on when we last passed- haven't been in to try the beer recently- watch this space. We believe extensive developments are planned, with a new entrance, bar area and accommodation, but they are leaving the present area alone and want to retain the appearance of the pub. Hydes bitter and 1744 from Burton on Trent were not bad but not outstanding. The focus is largely on dining with tables laid out with wineglasses etc, apart from the immediate bar area. The food was found acceptable.

The Harrington Arms at Bosley has just been taken over by Ian Biggar, son of the landlord of the George & Dragon in Macc. Ian is an experienced chef, so once Robinsons have finished refurbishing the kitchen, you can expect good quality food to be available.

Wincle
The Ship at Wincle is under energetic new management and a major improvement has been the appearance of a permanent cask mild! Moorhouse's Black Cat, a former Champion Beer of Britain is the chosen ale. In addition, the real ale range boasts Moorhouse's Premier, one of Taylor's Landlord or Ruddles County, and a guest beer. Another beer festival is planned for the August Bank Holiday weekend. See the Festivals page for full details in due course.
The refurbishment has taken place and they now have a new oak bar and display shelving behind- with an attractive display not only of wines but also of Chimay, Orval and three of the Copper Dragon beers. Apparently the joists under the floor of the bar were so rotten that Giles was amazed he and Chris hadn't gone through weeks ago!. Beers on- Fullers London Pride and Moorhouses' Bitter are to be the regulars, at the moment going turn and turn about with Landlord- the guest was Christmas Cheer from Tring- not dark but very palatable- coming soon a Dark Stout from Copper Dragon.

The Wild Boar at Wildboarclough has changed hands. The previous landlord and landlady had an offer they could not refuse to take up a pub back "home" in the wilds of Scotland and a new couple have moved in. They plan to start B&B shortly and have refurbished the dining room. Landlady Diane Trueman, took over early in February, having been an assistant manager at a pub in the Lake District for 12 months, but has been in the pub trade for 25 years on and off. Robinsons are spending a lot of money on it , including new loos and a complete exterior redecoration. Real fires were blazing in both rooms when we visited and the Robinsons Bitter was on top form.
The pub has recently been completely redecorated; gone is the shop, rooms opened out after a five week closure- originally to be two, but the day before the final touch of the new carpet was to be laid, Robbie's came in and took the ceiling down! Looks stunning.