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ONE PUB ONLY?
Shovels
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
From North Station New Road, Churchills and Pump and Truncheon
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Saddles
|  |  Churchills Bar
83 - 85 Topping St. FY1 3AY T 01253 622036 W www.churchillsbarblackpool.co.uk
G John Slowik
F Good pub grub from 12
MP BM P
O 10.30 to 11Mon - Thu, 10.30 to 12 Fri. - Sat. 12 to 12 Sun
The Churchill Inn is relatively easy to find. Head for the Winter Gardens and then walk away from the crowds towards the station. A group of discerning locals will have beaten you to it but the pub will stand out as looking like a proper pub on a typically English town street corner. The locals come in all shapes and sizes so it was with some ease that I fitted into the smaller front snug for a quiet pint and a bit of welcome relief from Blackpool's daytime stresses. It is then that you notice that the entertainment does exist here. This evening was to be psychic night, and another time finds Mr Blackpool doing whatever Mr Blackpool does. A chat with John, the landlord, enlightened me as to the family nature of the entertainment and the fact that footie fans have a diversion that involves staying here when their team is in a particularly poor run of form.
The beer quality was good, in this case national choices following me up the M6 from the South and East. The locals were very friendly, - even an offer of good cheap accommodation at the nearby Darfield hotel was mentioned by one of the regulars. All in all, the pub is a great find, one that restores your faith in the real town of Blackpool.
BWV 10.10.05: Bateman XXXB, Greene King Old Speckled Hen, Ruddles County, Wells Bombardier | |  New Road Inn
244 Talbot Rd FY1 3HL T 01253 62887 2370429 W www.thenewroadinn.co.uk
G David and Alex
CP BM P D
O 10.30 to 12
The New Road Inn is also conveniently located, being 100 m from the North station, opposite the Mecca. As it is a regular CAMRA award winner you should guess that the ale is good and the range greater at the weekends than shown here.
Mark is proud to designate it as a no - nonsense drinkers’ pub. He sells himself short here because it offers more than spit and sawdust, along with its no - nonsense approach to “the fools who expect something different to what we are". Bring your mates for a really friendly welcome. Bring your girlfriend who might well enjoy the security of such a safe pub. The ownership has recently transferred to W+D but the policy for good ale remains and the cho ice often includes a mild. The latest development is to offer ciders and a perry. The non - smoking section lies to the rear in what is sometimes a private meeting room. The other great feature of this snug was the fantastic photographic exhibition in place during my visit. The art changes on a monthly basis, showcasing local artists. Some may also be interested in wireless internet access being available, although Barney the Dog represents what most want to see in such a pub rather than the weary pub reviewer typing up these notes. With a warning to “watch your nuts”, I left to roam the streets of the North Shore. The minimalist chic of the New Road certainly made an impression, as did the warmth of the welcome.
BWV 10.10.05: Jennings Bitter, Cumberland Ale, Snecklifter, Titanic White Star. Weston's Herefordshire Perry, Old Rosie Cider | |  Pump and Truncheon
Bonny St, FY1 5AR T 01253 624099
G Gary Yates
F Hot and cold home-cooked food till 6
MP TV BM P
Street Smoking
O 10.30 to 11 Mon-Thu, 10.30 to 12 Fri - Sat, 12 to 12 Sun
This pub has a "boys in blue" theme and a hint of cell life in its décor. Friendly staff and a regular mix of ale fans and those eating food make this a popular and convenient place. Complete with casks to stand around they also stage "entertainment”. Perhaps this is a fine choice for a traditional weekend in the town; it stays open later than most and is just behind the seafront arcades and “fun.” This has been a long time favourite of mine and it’s good to see the good elements remain unaltered as all around it go for the quick buck. The locals are particularly used to seeing tourists and away fans finding it for only one time a year. On those rare hot summers days the pub is a very oasis in the sometimes noisy and sticky streets. The beer choice is always innovative and is good enough to guarantee a wide range of drinkers will seek it out. This pub has won numerous real ale awards, as it should.
UPDATE: The pub has changed little, still good beer and fun to drink in.
BWV 23.11.04: Archers Goodwill, Blackpool BPA, Boddingtons Cask Bitter, Copper Dragon Golden Ale, Ridley’s Rumpus,
BWV 10.10.05: Archers Delivery, Boddingtons Bitter, Castle Rock Elsie Mo, Phoenix White Monk, Slaters Supreme
BEERS ON 2.7.10 Cottage You can't be Serious, Davenport's England's Glory, Lancaster Black, Nook Blonde | |  Saddle Inn
286 Whitegate Drive, FY3 9PH T 01253 607921 W www.thesaddleblackpool.co.uk
G Alan Bedford
F Good value fresh menu with good portions 12 to 2, 5 to 7.Mon – Fri, 12 to 3 Sat. 1 to 4 Sun
CP TV BM P D
O 12 -11, 12 - 10.30 Sun
This is a very old roadside inn with three excellent rooms around a traditional bar. The bar itself is worthy of mention because of its design that leaves anyone tall, like me, bending down to get a view of the bar staff serving you. Each room is very comfortable, retaining elements of the original room structure, separate rooms rather than modern - style drinking areas. My weekday visit found a great mix of luncheoners, locals and real ale tickers. I recommend the room with sporting photos that tell stories of a rich local heritage. Here the locals talk of glories past, of massive crowds at Bloomfield Road and of the hopes for future successes as the ground is redeveloped.
UPDATE: Landlord Alan Bedford has taken over the pub and plans real ale festivals. “It is my passion” Norman, remains the oldest swinger in the pub and, as Nora said, it really is “a second home to friends in town.”
BWV 23.11.04: Marston’s Pedigree, Orkney Dark Island, Woodforde's Wherry
BWV 10.10.05: Adnams Bitter, Bass Draught, Butcombe Bitter, Harviestoun Ptarmigan, Moorhouses Pendle Witches Brew
| |  Shovels
260 Commonedge Rd, Malton, FY4 5DH T 01253 762702
G Steve Norris
F Extensive family pub menu 12 to 9.30 daily
CP SK BM P D
O 12 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
Here we have a new farmhouse style pub with a footie and real ale fanatic landlord to boot. This is the place to indulge yourself. Steve will know your favourite ale houses from personal experience and offers a challenge that says a beer you haven't tried before will always be on offer. Try it especially if you fancy a weekend real ale extravaganza. Steve encourages groups who can phone in advance for a tailor - made visit. It is often also used by those visiting Preston who want to mix and match their ale and amusements. Can you name another pub with three non - league football grounds within 100 yards? I would also recommend picking up the local CAMRA guide where Steve often writes of his footie - related real ale trips following his Mackem dream. Large and also local, this is more than just an estate gastro - pub. It puts the ale to the forefront of its marketing and is rightly very popular.
UPDATE: Beer festival (80 beers) in late October.
BWV 23.11.04: Goff's Camelot, Hart Chinook, Tom Wood Jolly Ploughman, Oakham JHB, Wychwood Three Wyches
BWV 10.10.05: Anglo Dutch Spike on T’Way, Boddingtons Bitter, Foxfield Tigertops Waterside, Hart Ice Maiden, Theakston's Best
Blackpool Pub of the Year 2009
BEERS ON 2.7.10 Acorn Green Bullet, Caledonian Nectar, Three B's Honey Bee, Shovels Best | | | BLACKPOOL CAMRA | | 
BLOOMFIELD ROAD | | 
LOCAL BREWERY
11 Hillside Avenue,
Preesall,
Poulton-le-Fylde
Lancashire
FY6 0ES
Tel: 07973 154505 (Dave) or 0790 4343729 (Ben)
| | WETHERSPOONS
The Auctioneer 235-237 Lytham Road Blackpool FY1 6ET Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-12.30am
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