Old Harkers Arms

Well run spacious canalside building with great range of drinks (including lots of changing real ales) and good value tasty food

You'll find a very wide range of beers at this airy, high-ceilinged converted early Victorian warehouse, with around nine real ales on handpump, including Flowers Original, Thwaites Original and Weetwood Cheshire Cat, with regularly changing guests from brewers such as Betwixt, Hawkshead, Moorhouses, Spitting Feathers and Titanic; in addition there are also more than 100 malt whiskies, 50 well described wines (with around a half of them by the glass), four farmhouse ciders and local apple juice. Through the tall windows you can watch canal and cruise boats chug their way past. Huge brick pillars and cleverly divided off areas create some intimate places, and cheery staff spread a happy bustle. Mixed dark wood furniture is grouped on stripped wood floors, walls are covered frame-to-frame with old prints, and the usual Brunning & Price wall of bookshelves is to be found above a leather banquette at one end. Attractive lamps add cosiness, and the bar counter is apparently constructed from salvaged doors; there is a selection of board games.

As well as a good range of sandwiches, nicely presented bar food might include snacks and starters such as salt beef and black pudding hash cake with poached egg, chilli and coriander king prawns, and grilled sardines on toast, alongside main courses like pork loin and bubble and squeak, spiced lentil cakes, ploughman's with local cheeses, and braised shoulder of lamb. Eggs and chicken used here are free range: the owners say they visit their local farm suppliers to see the animals for themselves. Puddings could include mango parfait or Baileys crème brûlée, as well as hot waffles and a british cheese board.