Research in Bebington

A quick trip across the water to examine a couple of pubs I've not visited before, starting with the Three Stags in Bebington. This turned out to be a standard member of the Ember Inns chain, doing a good lunchtime trade. They had about five handpumps and I enjoyed a pint of Thwaites' Wainwright.

Next I headed down to Lower Bebington village where I was very pleased to discover a pub I didn't even know existed, a fairly rare bonus nowadays, making The Chronicle number 1,756 in the database. A member of the Smith & Jones chain, it's another place concentrating on food but still managing a decent pint of Bombardier.

My third and final call was to Wetherspoon's John Masefield in New Ferry, a medium size member of the chain in a converted shop, serving the usual good value food and real ale. It opened in November 2007 so it's only taken me four years to get there. I had something very nice from Heywood's Phoenix Brewery.