Rainford

I headed out on a very grey autumnal Saturday and three trains brought me to Rainford, and the Junction:

No change in this rather good two sided pub, with four real ales on offer.  I chose Border Bitter from Magic Dragon, a classic traditional bitter from Wales.

Technically, I don't "need" this visit, because I was here in 2023, on a railway-oriented trip for the last train from Kirkby, but it would be stupid to walk past such a nice pub just because I came here only two years ago.

There isn't much to write about this one, good music in the background, a smattering of regulars chatting quietly, small kids and dogs running around.  What is it about dog owners?  He's not being friendly, he's being bloody annoying.  Keep it under control.  And your kid while you're at it.

Next, a pleasant scenic walk of a mile or so along the former railway line to Rainford itself, where there should be some nice pubs to visit.  Starting in the Eagle and Child:

Something of a classic this one, the old-looking building contains a partly knocked through pub, pleasantly decorated in traditional style.

I selected a great pint of Landlord from the small range of cask.

Rather busier than the Junction, with plenty of chatter over the music.  Somehow, a perfect example of a friendly comfortable local boozer.

Next, just down the road is the Golden Lion:

Now this one is more of a dining location, and was quite busy with families and groups eating, at half two.  Drinkers are welcome, though, and I selected Three Swords from Kirkstall from the two handpumps on offer.

Continuing today's theme, a dog in one of the side rooms went mad when a waiter delivered some food.  Didn't there used to be some hygiene rule about animals in places serving food?

I perused the menu; fish and chips £16.  A fairly standard price nowadays.

My notes from a previous visit refer to "contemporary decor", this time I want to write "traditional", it probably depends on where you sit!  Anyway, it's mostly obscured by Halloween tat, of course.

A woman spotted the book which I had "accidentally" placed on the table, and she's going to buy one.  Maybe I should carry a few copies to sign and sell?!  More usefully she advised me the food here is really good.

I should own up, I quite often make the book visible in the hope someone will notice it, but it is very rare that anyone does.

Another short walk to the Derby Arms:

Another one keener on dining but again drinkers are welcome and I had a pint of favourite White Rat.  It came in a weirdly shaped Sharps glass, but that didn't spoil the excellent taste.

Quite busy at three on a Saturday, and I may have committed a faux pas by taking a table in the dining end, but no one complained.  Oddly, it was laid for three although one could easily fit four around it.  Unlike the other free table I could see, it didn't have a reserved sign.

A load of food came out to the large group next to where I was sitting, I must say it looked, and smelled, tempting.

Unusually, no music nor muzac in here, (at least, not in the room I was in) just a gentle background of happy conversations.

I have a vague recollection that this place was a little dead last time I was here.  No danger of that today, in fact there were people looking round for a table, and I felt a little guilty for occupying one.  Not guilty enough to move, though!

I parked the book on the table again, but no one took the bait here.

Finally, there's one more Rainford pub to tick before I head for home, the Star:

This is a truly great pub, traditionally decorated, multiple rooms, good food, comfortable and friendly.  I sat in a quiet side area and enjoyed my Wainwright Gold.

The sound in here was some very low music almost totally drowned out by cheerful chatter.  What a fine pub.  The large dining area at the rear seemed quite empty at four on a Saturday, I guess it's busier later.  I didn't see a menu but the specials board included some tempting options.

Why do I always seem to tick this gem at the end of a survey, I really must start here in 2030 and work my way up to the Junction!!!   Assuming I'm still alive/drinking/mobile/compos mentis then.  Of course, the planner in me says the longer walk, between Junction and Eagle, is better done at the beginning of a survey!

Five pubs, five real ales, you can't say fairer than that.  So, time for home.  A bus to St Helens for a train, or the lazy option of an Uber.  I think you can guess which I chose...

Pub of the day: Really difficult to choose, I'll go for the Star
Miles walked: 2.0
Maybe coming soon: Mathew Street, Southport

Beer of the day: White Rat

Ainsdale

Two trains to Ainsdale, and then a pleasant stroll in the sunshine took me to the odd seventies-looking building that is the Spitfire:

It all looked a bit empty as I approached, but the door was open so I went in to find I was the only customer.

Two or three staff were setting up Halloween decorations, I resisted the temptation to complain that it's only the second of October, I suspect that horse has long bolted.  At least it keeps the Christmas decorations away for another month!

Anyway, fake cobwebs, inflatable witches and ghosts aside, this is a nicely decorated pub in one open space, partly divided.

The clips were turned away on the handpumps so I had a Guinness to start my day.

The tellies are showing Australian football, I think.  The game with the double goal posts.

The landlady tried to sell their kids Halloween party for my grandkids, I had to tell her I didn't have any.

Next, on to central Ainsdale and the Mallard:

This large free standing pub building was Champs last time I was here, and the Railway before that.  It has had a thorough and very well done refurbishment and almost all of Champs' tellies have gone.

Just one handpump was offering Wainwright Gold, which was very good.  In this sort of situation I wonder if it is "fake" cask, I don't really know how you can tell.  I enjoyed it anyway.

Another very empty pub although at least they have got more customers than the single one (me) in the Spitfire.  In fact, at one point the chatter was briefly louder than the gentle muzac.

I idly looked out of the window.  The Barr, what is that?  The internet reveals a cocktail bar, a new one to me.  So let's try that next:

This tiny shop conversion is very nicely done out, I particularly like the wooden banding on the counter front.  They are aiming at the cocktail crowd but one can also enjoy a pint, I chose something tasty from Brixton.

For the second time today custom, just I, was outnumbered by staff, two.  This is why I try to avoid weekday afternoons for my researches, because places may decide it's not worth opening.  But as often happens I've got things to do on Saturday so it's a weekday or not at all.  So far, I'm pleased to have found everywhere open, albeit empty.

Eventually two elderly ladies came in.  Their order was two teas.  So it's not just cocktails and beer.

A third target within ten yards is Morrells so let's tick that next:

Continuing what seems to be today's theme, I was the only customer inside at three on a Thursday, the barmaid leapt up from her seat to serve me a Carling.  If we're being accurate, there was one bloke sitting at a table outside so technically there were two customers.

I rather like the decor in here, wooden floor and ceiling, naked air conditioning ducts and faux-industrial lighting.  But the place really needs some more customers.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  Come on folks, I can't save the hospitality industry on my own.  Use it or lose it!

As I relaxed on a comfortable leather sofa and enjoyed my lager, someone else came in, but he only chatted to the barmaid and didn't buy a drink, so I don't think he counts.

I looked across the road.  A shop offered Acrylic Extensions.  My first thought was that it was selling conservatories, especially as the next word was Builder.  Further study revealed that it was actually a nail bar!  It's odd the things one thinks after a few pints.

Back to Morrells; the outside customer departed so it was just me and the barmaid.

Next Tipple:

This small pleasant corner bar is not completely deserted which seems to be good for around here on a Thursday.  There were two other customers.

Their outside area was being rebuilt, with stacks of timber ready to be installed.  In the very pleasant and comfortable inside, I selected Erdinger for a change.  The barmaid required assistance from a colleague to pour it, but the result was fine.

As I enjoyed my beer, more customers came in, so either this place is doing better than the others, or maybe it's just because time is moving on, it's now almost four.

My gaze wandered around.   This bar is really well decorated, the (totally fake) bare brick walls look good.

So, time to go home, but there's one more new one on the way to the station so perhaps I should check out Pebbles before I leave:

It's always good to visit a bar I didn't know existed, and this is the second one today!  And it's a very nicely done shop conversion, where I selected a pint of Pebbles Crystal from the range of keg brews.  I always think it's a bonus point for any place that has a house beer.

Not quite no one but me, but not far off, I'm afraid Thursday is the new Tuesday, so I'm relieved they are open.  Having written that, more people came in as I swigged my lager.

So, six ticks, two brand new, that's a fine result.  Current scores are 2,072 pubs in the database, of which I have visited 1,575, 910 of those in the last five years.

Pub of the day: Mallard
Beer of the day: Wainwright Gold
Miles walked: 1.5
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Rainford

Good Beer Guide 2026

Just as I was about to head out to the Wirral yesterday there was a knock on the door.  My copy of the latest edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide had arrived.

I can report that in Merseyside twenty-one entries have been removed and twenty-one added since last year's guide.

As I say every year, if you want to know which pubs they are you'll have to buy the book when it goes on sale on 25 September.

East Wirral Miscellany

I dodged rain showers and Everton fans and headed under the river to visit a scattered selection of targets, hopefully including a new one.  From Spital station it was just a short walk to Mississippis:

I could have sworn this place was upstairs, but no, it's on the ground floor, and always has been.  A comfortable pub with well done decor.

A slight delay because the delivery van arrived just before I did, and the landlady was occupied receiving kegs and so on, but after a couple of minutes she was back on duty, apologising for the wait.  On the counter were four handpumps, one of which had a Trappers Hat clip, and it produced an excellent pint.

Only two other customers at half one on a Saturday, I hope they get more at other times.

Arsenal were on the telly, they had sprinklers on at half time, don't they have rain in London?  Oh, wait, have they got a roof?

Just across the road is the Three Stags:

This is an Ember Inns location so we know what to expect inside this wonderful inter war roadhouse.  On the counter I found about six handpumps, one of which provided an excellent pint of Bass.

I wanted to ask ChatGPT when the place was built but it wasn't working for some reason.  Never rely on these stupid computers!  (I'm going away on trip soon for which I have umpteen train e-tickets.  You can bet I've printed them all out just in case!)

The interior decor here is Ember Inns standard, pleasant and comfortable. Custom was surprisingly sparse at two on a Saturday, perhaps more will come in later?

I must say I hadn't really expected to start with two quality pints, I fear it might be downhill from now on!

Next, a long walk to the Village:

Such a long a walk that I had to ask the barman where the gents was and head out of the bar to reception to find it before returning to order my pint of Stella Unfiltered.

It came in an ordinary Stella goblet and was only slightly hazy.  Does it taste better than the normal?  I'm not sure.

This is a pleasant modern hotel bar with a decent quantity of customers at three.  In one corner are a few rows of cinema style seats in front of a giant TV, what a good idea for TV sports.  No one was there, I assume they can't (legally) get the Everton game, so the screen was just showing Sky Sports News.

Now, another long march to New Ferry where there are umpteen pubs I don't need at the moment, and one "new" one, the CD Pub:

This used to be a private members club, I think, which is why I've never been in before, but now it's open to all.  Outside, it looks like a church hall.

Anyway, I headed in and into the big room which was dressed up for a function complete with bouncy castle and was full of families making lots of noise.  I've come all this way so I'm going to get a tick, I thought, and walked up to the counter and ordered a Carling.  Are you with the party asked the friendly barmaid, "er, no" I replied, expecting to be refused, but she said "you want the other bar round there". I headed along the corridor and into an empty room where she was already pouring my drink at the counter.  "There's a lot less screaming kids in this side" she said.  And she was right!

After a couple of minutes some other non-party customers joined me in the quiet side.

A pub which can hold a noisy function and also provide a peaceful bar at the same time is to be highly recommended.  The discussion between the barmaid and the other drinkers seemed to imply that food was on offer, but I didn't see any served while I was there.

The noise ceased in the other side, is the party over I wondered?  As I enjoyed my fizz more people came in, they all seemed to know each other and enjoyed chatting, ignoring the stranger typing on a tablet in the corner.

Finally, it's not that far, just under a mile, to walk to the one remaining target in this area, the Kings Arms.  It'd be foolish not to:

Good grief, so different from all the other pubs today, perhaps because it is now 5pm it is very busy with umpteen groups, families and pals and so on.  Food and drink is being served in a continuous stream keeping the staff working hard.

Outside this is another impressive inter war roadhouse, inside Greene King have knocked through and remodelled, creating a very good but not historic interior.

The only pump clip offered GK IPA, I decided to risk it and it was spot on.

Time for home, now, just one more trek to the nearest station.  One brand new tick, three quality cask ales, not a bad score all told.

Pub of the day: Three Stags, but it was a close run thing.
Beer of the day: Bass, obviously
Miles walked: 4.9
Maybe coming soon: Rainford, Southport

Formby

On a cold and wet Thursday I set off for a trip to Formby where I started in a new one - New to me, that is, it's been open since last year, the Auld Dubliner:

Here I discovered a very pleasantly decorated Irish style bar in which, somewhat to my surprise, I found operational handpumps.  My Wainwright Gold was good.

About a dozen customers were in at two on a rainy Thursday afternoon, one group were putting the world to rights.  They moved on to football, apparently Liverpool have already won the league!

This is a really nice bar, I must say, a welcome addition to the Formby scene.

Just a few doors along is one I've never heard of, Emily's:

Wow!  Behind the small frontage is an enormous place with beautiful decoration consisting of millions of plants.  Some plastic, I think, and some real.  The interior designer here has done a really brilliant job in my opinion.

I selected Brooklyn IPA from the ten taps.  In the drinking area I didn't get to see a food menu but I'm guessing it is tempting but not cheap.

At half two there were plenty of customers keeping the place busy, and the barman was constantly making cocktails.

That's it for central Formby, a walk now over the railway and into suburban streets.  No danger of getting lost on the way to the Pinewoods!

Well I never.  This pleasant sixties construction has three handpumps on the counter, one of which carries a handwritten Bass sign.  Should I risk it?  The lad behind the counter had some difficulty pulling it, which didn't exactly boost my confidence, but eventually I got a fine pint.  (For those who don't know, I should explain that there is an unwritten law of pub ticking which specifies that if Bass is available I have to choose it.  The previous occasion for me was Saturday just gone in the Swan and Railway in Wigan - What a great pub!)

The interior of this large pub has been knocked through, creating a large pleasant open space.  The decor is unexciting but nice enough.

The sounds in here were quiet football commentary (Live?  Seems an odd time.), quiet chatter and quiet music.  Spot on!

Another zig zag walk involving another crossing of the railway took me to the Grapes:

This giant knocked through building is nicely done out.  It has still sort of got two sides but they are pretty much indistinguishable.  I was pleased to see some handpumps and while a couple were "coming soon" I still had a choice of three, and the Salopian Oracle was spot on.

It was very quiet in here at four o'clock, but a number of tables had reserved signs for this evening.  The what's on board said live music and bingo, I'm not sure which, if either, was bringing people in.

This one is under the same brand as the Pinewoods, the People's Pub is a Stonegate operation.  I checked the menu, which looks rather good.  Fish and chips, with bread and butter and curry sauce, is £14, or just fish, chips and peas for £11.

There's one more overdue tick in this area so I'm going to head there.  The weather had improved to sunshine by now, so I hid my coat in my bag as I headed off.  Going back twenty odd years the Freshfield was a great cask ale destination with a dozen or more handpumps on the counter.  Nowadays it is run by Greene King, so I am wondering what to expect:

And the answer is...  They've still got umpteen cask ales on, and my White Rat was lovely.  And in an Ossett glass.   So, highly recommended!

The place was ticking over nicely, and a number of tables were reserved later on, my one at eight - I'm sure I'll be home by then.

The menu includes fish and chips for 15.75, so a bit more than the Grapes, but the beer choice is better.

Something occurred to me:  I have grumbled in the past about "99" prices, do they really think charging 12.99 makes me think it is better than 13 quid?  But today, all the prices I've seen have been round numbers, is it just chance or have those who decide these things come round to agreeing with me?  We'll see...

What a survey, five ticks - one brand new - and four decent cask ales, brilliant! See you next week...

Pub of the day: Freshfield
Beer of the day: White Rat
Miles walked: 3.8
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Bebbington and Bromborough

Knowsley and Kirkby

I started today's research with a bus ride to Knowsley, and the Derby Arms:

Thirty years ago I used to come here once a week, it was an important part of my fitness regime, after visiting a local gym.  

Anyway, a major refurbishment (or two) has transformed it out of all recognition, not helped by my sitting in the "other" end this time.  It's a rather nicely done Greene King food-oriented place, with quite a few customers eating at one on a Thursday.

One handpump had a clip, for Old Session Hen (A new one on me, how much further can they stretch the Old X Hen theme?) but a quick tug of the handle showed it wasn't on, so I took a Carling and retreated to a quiet side area and sat in a comfortable chair.

Fish and chips is £13 here which in 2025 probably marks it as fairly cheap, a couple of years ago that would have been expensive.

Next, just a mile's stroll away is the Copper Pot:

This is one of that breed of pubs, the "21st century roadhouse"; in this case it was a new construction opened in 2010, ChatGPT tells me.  Located beside the East Lancs Road, I imagine a walk in customer like me is pretty uncommon, everyone else comes by car.

I was startled to see no less than eight handpumps on the counter, and every single one of them had a Pedigree clip.  Of course only one was in use, but it produced a decent pint so I'm not complaining.

The interior is exactly what you would expect, pastel colours, fake wood panelling, even an impressive fire surround on one wall.  All in all a pleasant comfortable "plastic" ambience.

At two on a now rainy Thursday afternoon there were plenty of diners keeping the place going.

Now, what's the rain going to do?  I could go home now, or I could walk on a mile or more into Kirkby where there are a number of required ticks.  Ah, wait, bustimes.com to the rescue, there's a bus.

Shortly after I reached the bus stop the rain became quite heavy, lucky I wasn't going the other way because there's no shelter on the other side of the dual carriageway, just a forlorn passenger struggling to keep her cigarette alight under an umbrella.

The bus soon carried me into Kirkby's Southdene area, and the Park Brow:

A classic 60s one, this.  There has clearly been some knocking through inside in the intervening years but it still has two sides, only one in use on a Thursday afternoon I think.  Well cared for, clean and tidy throughout, as one expects nowadays.

A few regulars were chattering, ignoring the pub researcher on his own in a side area.  With a Carling, of course, and only £2.80 if I remember correctly.

The pub was ticking over well and at three o'clock there was a steady trickle of customers in and out, the older ones (including me) on John Smith's or Carling, younger ones choosing Poretti.  (Going by the glassware, that is)

Not too far down the road is another sixties classic, the Kingfisher:

The "other side" was out of use on a Thursday arvo, I think, I drank my Carling in the pleasant bar side, with just five regulars.

As I always say - because it's always true - the room was clean and tidy.  If I am allowed a criticism, the bench seat along the front wall was too low for me, but I suspect my shorter friends would disagree.

Judging by the pictures around the wall this is a red pub, no sign of the people's club at all.  Of course it might be that the other room is blue.

Where next?  There are three other required ticks in Kirkby, the most desirable (last visited 2016) being the Peacock which is a mile and a half away.  I don't think I can be bothered to walk that far in the rain today, perhaps I should just Uber home?

OK, lazy option chosen.

Pub of the day: Derby Arms
Beer of the day: Pedigree
Miles walked: 1.4
Maybe coming soon: South Wirral, Southport

Maghull

I set off on what was going to be a rather hot day, perhaps I was unwise to plan a ticking mission which involved long walks.  But maybe it won't.  I took the train to Maghull North from where it was an easy stroll to the Old Post Office:

Last time I was around here it was unexpectedly shut, no such problem this time and I entered a pleasant single room shop conversion.  Nicely decorated in the currently fashionable shades of grey, plus some bare brick wallpaper on one wall.

Five regulars were chatting and the friendly barmaid soon poured me a Carling.

It's happened before and it'll probably happen again:  Why is that bloke staring at me, I wondered?  Of course I was sitting underneath a screen on which the racing was being shown, and he was filling in betting slips. I must learn that it's not always about me!

Next, a bar I walked straight past without noticing shortly after it first opened.  I'm hoping for some decent ale in what is effectively Neptune's brewery tap, the Neptune Beerhouse:

Surprisingly empty at two o'clock, with only two other customers who were chatting to the barman.  My pint of Neptune Abyss was wonderful, as expected. And it came in a lined Neptune conic.

Next comes a long walk, or so I thought until I fired up Google Maps to tell me how far it would be, and it showed AJ's Cocktail Bar, just a few steps down the road.  I'd never even heard of that, so let's give it a try first:

What I found was a tiny shop conversion, probably only one quarter of the space Neptune had.  The decor, dark colouring, is very attractive, someone has obviously put a lot of effort in to the styling of this small space, and it shows.

Only two keg taps offering Estrella Damm and Poretti, I chose the former and it came in the correct glass.  No sign of any other customers, just me and the young barman who was keeping busy cleaning and tidying up.  Reading back what I've just written, I need to add that the place was already clean and mostly tidy, he was mainly sorting out cocktail menus and putting them on each table, and wiping the already clean counter.

If I'm allowed a minor negative comment, the array of mops, buckets and cleaning sprays in the front window would be better hidden out the back somewhere.

I chatted with the barman about why I was here and where I was going next, he asked the question I often hear, "Which is your favourite pub?" and I remembered the smart answer, which is "the one I'm in".

Now, just across the road is a rather odd looking place called Milly's which has been in my database, unvisited, for umpteen years.  It has limited opening hours, I think, so I'd never been in.  But it is open now, so let's go:

Well, that wasn't what I expected at all:  A large bar, plus a roof terrace, I imagine it's packed late evenings but at half three on a Saturday it is ticking over with about half a dozen customers plus me.

The decor inside is totally over the top, sparkly ceiling and walls and lots of neon signs, and I have to say, rather well done.

Now, four pints to the good, do I trek miles across the desert in the blazing sun (Hyperbole) to the next target or do I choose the lazy option and go back to the station for a train home.  I think you know me well enough by now; I took the easy way.  I was particularly pleased with three brand new ticks bringing the grand total to 1,569.

Pub of the day: Neptune Beerhouse
Beer of the day: Neptune Abyss
Miles walked: 2.2
Maybe coming soon: Southport