Lively good value community pub with big range of own-brew beers at unbeatable bargain prices, lots of pets, and good food; children very welcome
The burgeoning menagerie of animals at this enjoyably quirky pub, high up on the moors, and with fine views down the valley includes rabbits, chickens, dogs, ducks, geese, alpacas, horses, 14 peacocks in the next-door field and some cats resident in an adjacent barn. The big unspoilt L-shaped main bar has high beams and some stripped stone, settles, pews, a good individual mix of chairs, and lots of attractive prints and staffordshire and other china on a high delft shelf, jugs, brasses and so forth; TV (only when there's sport on) and unobtrusive piped music; the conservatory opens on to a terrace. The horse-collar on the wall is worn by the winner of their annual gurning (face-pulling) championship which is held during the lively traditional Rush Cart Festival, which is usually over the August bank holiday. Local bellringers arrive on Wednesdays to practise with a set of handbells that are kept here, while anyone is invited to join the morris dancers who meet here on Thursdays. When the spring water levels aren't high enough for brewing, they bring in guest beers such as Black Sheep and Hydes Jekylls Gold. At other times, you might find up to 11 of their own-brew Saddleworth beers, usually starting at just £1.20 a pint. Some of the seasonal ones (look out for Ruebens, Ayrtons, Robyns and Indya) are named after the licensee's children, only appearing around their birthdays; dark lager on tap too. Children and dogs are made to feel very welcome.
Licensee information
Licensee name
Julian Taylor
Own brew
Good Pub Guide Food
Very reasonably priced bar food includes soup, sandwiches, steak and ale pie, jumbo cod, a range of pies, and mixed grill.
Bar food times: 12 - 2.30, 5.30 - 9; 12 - 9 Sat, Sun and bank hols
