Stockport Pub Guide A-G

The areas covered are as follows:

Note:

* indicates a pub recommended by me (but the absence of an asterisk may mean no more than I don't know the pub very well).
Where there is a photograph shown, click on the thumbnail for a larger image

Adswood

For long enjoyed a poor reputation as a run-down peripheral estate, but always included some more salubrious areas, and much of the former council housing has now been replaced by new private developments.

Cross Keys, Adswood Road (Hydes): Big 1930s pub with a bowling green. Recently given an extensive refurbishment with a large lounge at the front and a separate vault at the rear, and an extensive menu, but still seems to attract mainly local trade. Following a fire during 2009, reopened in the Autumn following a major refurbishment.
Greyhound, Councillor Lane (S & N, ex-Greenalls): Large pub on road junction with "Clubhouse" sports bar theme, predominantly appealing to younger people
Micker Brook, Councillor Lane (Whitbread): Now a "Crown Carvery", offering budget carvery meals, but no real ale

Bramhall

Stockport's wealthiest and most exclusive suburb, with big houses lining leafy roads and a village centre that is reminiscent of the Home Counties. Pride of place goes to the magnificent half-timbered Bramall Hall.

Bramhalls, Bramhall Lane South (Bass): Wine bar type establishment. No real ale
Bromale, West Park Road (Bass): Estate pub with some nice wood panelling and stained glass. No real ale
Ladybrook, Fir Road (S & N, ex-Boddingtons): Huge inter-wars pub in Tudor style, similar to a Birmingham roadhouse. Successive renovations have eroded its character. Although food-oriented it does offer a range of real ales
New Victorian, Ack Lane (J. W. Lees): Modern pub next to Bramhall shopping precinct. Originally the "Victoria", then had an incarnation as the "Orange Tree" before being taken over by Lees and acquiring its current name.
Shady Oak, Redford Drive (Punch Taverns, ex-Tetley): Well-hidden modern estate pub with a variety of areas rambling around a central bar

Bredbury

Rather amorphous area to the east of the town centre with no distinct centre.

* Arden Arms, Ashton Road (Robinson's): Four-square, purpose-built, 1930s pub with many traditional features inside. Perhaps suffers from the lack of nearby housing and does not do enough to attract car-borne trade. A refurbishment in early 2002 involved the removal of one or two interior walls and some loss of character
Crown, Stockport Road (ex-Boddingtons): Plain pub on main road. Not visited
Greyhound, Bents Lane (Robinson's): Impressive, ivy-clad building. Not visited
* Horsfield Arms, Ashton Road (Robinson's): Excellent two-bar local in front of Robinson's bottling plant, with an extensive, congenial lounge
Queens, Bents Lane (Bass): Modern pub with a strange, long, thin design. No real ale. Not visited
* Rising Sun, Stockport Road East (Pub Company, ex-Wilsons): Situated next to Bredbury railway station, has a knocked-through interior but still retains a variety of separate areas. Guest beers available
Sportsman, Bents Lane (Robinson's): Locals' pub on bend opposite Higher Bredbury shopping precinct. Not visited. Closed and boarded (June 2009)
* Traveller's Call, Stockport Road (Lees): Standing on a prominent corner site, this is the only Lees tied house in Stockport MBC. Although still potentially threatened by the A6(M) road development, it was comprehensively refurbished in Autumn 2001 and is now a smart, attractive pub with more emphasis on food. The picture was taken before the refurbishment - the pub looks more welcoming now.
Winds, Beacon Road (Bass): Formerly known as the "Roaring Winds" - obviously a description of the after-effects of keg Bass beers. No real ale. Not visited
Yew Tree, Osborne Street (Inntrepreneur): Locals' pub in obscure location. Not visited

Brinnington

Large post-war council estate to the east of the town centre, where many people were moved from slum clearance projects in Portwood

Cheshire Cat, Middlesex Road (Robinson's)

Estate pub tucked away off the main road. Not visited

Farmers Arms, Brinnington Road (ex-Boddingtons)

Big pub near Brinnington centre. No real ale

Jack and Jill, Brinnington Road (Robinson's)

1950s pub with an appearance reminiscent of school architecture of the period

Cheadle

An independent local government area until 1974, and although it describes itself as a village is in reality a substantial satellite town with a busy High Street that is probably Stockport's biggest surburban shopping centre.

Ashlea, Manchester Road (S & N, ex-Boddingtons)

Scottish & Newcastle Chef & Brewer dining pub, with the typical up-market character of that chain, and prices to match. Once known as the Railway, from the former LNWR line that bridges the road just to the south. It is redeemed somewhat by offering organic guest beers from North Yorkshire Brewery

* Cheshire Line Tavern, Manchester Road (Marston's)

Stockport's only Marston's (formerly Banks's) tied house, converted from former Cheshire Lines railway station. Comfortable interior around a central bar with a strong emphasis on food. Offers guest beers from the Banks's/Marston's range

Crown, High Street (Hydes)

Functional but welcoming pub converted from a shop unit

George & Dragon, High Street (S & N, ex-Greenalls)

Impressive former coaching inn, popular with young people. No real ale

Malt Shovels, Councillor Lane (S & N)

Estate pub with a somewhat run-down appearance

* Olde Star, High Street (Hydes)

Characterful pub with attractive mock-tudor frontage. Retains a separate vault; the lounge has been tastefully refurbished

Old Vine, High Street (Punch Taverns)

Small single-room main street pub which has now returned to its original name following various more "trendy" incarnations

Printers Arms, Stockport Road (Robinson's)

Birthplace of the Stockport & South Manchester Branch of CAMRA. Knocked through in recent years and has lost much of its former character

* Queens Arms, Stockport Road (Robinson's)

Received a major extension and facelift in late 2006 - now a smart modern-styled pub but has lost some of its former character

* Red Lion, Stockport Road (Robinson's)

Opened out some years ago but has matured into a pleasant interior with comfortable seating and plenty of dark wood. Emphasis on food at lunchtimes.

Royal Oak, Stockport Road (Robinson's)

Traditional pub just off the village centre

Weavers, Gatley Road (Punch Taverns, ex-Tetley)

Prominently situated on road junction, part of the "Q's" chain, formerly known as Carpé Diem. No real ale. Not visited. Closed and boarded January 2009

White Hart, Gatley Road (S & N, ex-Boddingtons)

Attractive old pub next to Cheadle's historic parish church. Once a proper Boddies house, but now much altered and targeted at a younger clientele on the Cheadle "circuit"

Cheadle Heath

Nondescript area between Cheadle and Edgeley with a Morrisons superstore and a large industrial estate.

Farmers Arms, Stockport Road (Greene King): Hungry Horse pub restaurant on a prominent corner site

Cheadle Hulme

An area of mainly 20th century suburban development that grew up around the railway station.

* Cheadle Hulme, Station Road (Holts)

Formerly the "Junction", now one of the very few Holts pubs to offer a table-service restaurant, although the traditional Holts character and clientele still makes itself felt in the roomy bar area

* Church, Ravenoak Road (Robinson's)

Attractive cottage-style pub popular with older locals

* Governor's House, Ravenoak Road (Greene King)

Large pub with interesting, rambling interior converted from former Oakley Manor Hotel. Formerly owned by Nottingham independent Hardys & Hansons before their takeover by Greene King

* Hesketh, Hulme Hall Road (S & N)

Large suburban pub with an emphasis on food, but also offering varied guest beers

* John Millington, Station Road (Hydes)

An impressive and expensive conversion of a former restaurant housed in the historic 17th century Millington Hall. Stylish and tasteful, with a strong emphasis on food, but to my mind somewhat lacking in pub atmosphere

Kenilworth (S & N, ex-Greenalls)

Big, modernised art deco style pub popular with younger clientele

* King's Hall, Station Road (Wetherspoons)

Stockport's first Wetherspoons, very busy and with a younger clientele than many of the chain

March Hare, Ladybridge Road (Bass)

Formerly the "Old Mill", this has recently been acquired by Bass and turned into one of their "Vintage Inns" chain, with a strong emphasis on dining and little to interest the casual drinker. A distinctive modern building that indeed could be mistaken for a former mill - perhaps the worst thing Bass have done is to put in a low false ceiling to hide the original high raftered roof

Penny Black, Warren Road (Barracuda Pub Company)

New pub in a former Post Office sorting depot, tucked away in a surprising location on what is basically just a service road. Not visited

* Ryecroft Arms, Turves Road (Hydes)

Modern pub, formerly the "Conway", acquired by Hydes in 2002 and drastically revamped and renamed in Spring 2004. Typical contemporary pub design, bright and airy, plenty of light wood, not very much comfortable seating, although creditably a vault has been retained. Aiming for a more up-market atmosphere than previously.

Smithy, Grove Lane (S & N)

Large suburban pub, recently (mid-2002) given a somewhat garish refit to aim it clearly at a young clientele, although real ale is still available

Compstall

Attractive old village by the River Etherow. The lakes that were built to provide water power for the cotton mills now form the centrepiece of the Etherow Country Park

* Andrew Arms, George Street (Robinson's)

Excellent stone-built two-bar Robbies' local with long-serving licensee. Popular with visitors to nearby Country Park, good food at lunchtime including home-made curries

George, Compstall Road (Robinson's)

Modernised pub in typical brewery style, with bowling green

Northumberland Arms, Compstall Road (Robinson's)

Small locals' pub

Spring Gardens, Compstall Road (Inntrepreneur)

Interesting exterior with a small turret, but knocked through inside. Takes its name from former pleasure gardens behind the pub

Edgeley

Densely-built area of Victorian and Edwardian terraces to the west of Stockport town centre. Close to the station, motorway and town-centre amenities, there are some signs of gentrification. Edgeley Park stadium is the home ground of Stockport County football club and Sale Sharks rugby club. The once-busy shopping area along Castle Street is now rather down-at-heel. In recent years, many of the pubs have gone over to keg beers only but those that remain "real" include some absolute gems.

Alexandra, Northgate Road (Robinson's)

Big, little-changed Edwardian pub, hidden away in the back streets, included on CAMRA's National Inventory of historic pub interiors.

* Armoury, Shaw Heath (Robinson's)

Vibrant pub on busy roundabout with many original features from the 1920s. Three rooms include bright, brassy lounge, excellent traditional vault and rear snug-cum-darts room

Blue Bell, King Street West (Holts/Free House)

Impressive late Victorian/Edwardian pub, but has now (April 2007) been closed and boarded for several years and extremely unlikely to reopen as a pub

Bow Garrett, Northgate Road (Paramount)

Distinctive, unusual exterior, but very ordinary inside. Closed and boarded January 2009

Church, Moseley Street (Robinson's)

Small, modernised back-street local round the back of the Blue Bell. Closed and boarded January 2009

Gardeners Arms, Northgate Road (Lees)

Big 1930s pub with extensive wood panelling inside, taken over in 2005 by J. W. Lees after a spell when its future was uncertain. Hopefully will be revitalised under independent brewery ownership.

* Grapes, Castle Street (Robinson's)

Busy, basic street-corner boozer - a classic of its type

Greyhound, Bowden Street (Inn Partnership, ex-Boddingtons)

Although built in the 1950s still has a traditional feel, with an L-shaped lounge and small vault. Another convert to no real ale

Hollywood, Bloom Street (S & N)

Huge pub tucked away in back-street location. Would make a good Holts house, but unfortunately at present offers no real ale

Jolly Crofter, Castle Street (Pubmaster, ex-Vaux)

Recently renovated street-corner pub, returned to the real ale fold in early 2004.

* Olde Vic, Chatham Street (Free House)

Small, cosy pub offering a good selection of guest beers. Surprisingly large outside drinking area at the rear. Thrives in the evenings, but does not open at all at lunchtimes except on Saturdays when Stockport County are at home.

* Olde Woolpack, Brinksway (Free House)

Traditional, multi-roomed pub in the shadow of the Co-operative Bank's giant blue pyramid. Local CAMRA Pub of the Year 1999. Always two guest beers, often from small independent breweries. Regrettably closed and boarded December 2009.

Pineapple, Castle Street (Free House)

Small, very basic one-bar pub. No real ale

Prince Albert, Castle Street (Inntrepreneur)

Recently reopened after a spell of closure, a small, basic one-roomer with no real ale

Royal Oak, Castle Street (Inntrepreneur)

Bustling street-corner pub at the west end of Castle Street which for some years has offered Holts Bitter as a guest beer. Has one of the best pub gardens in the area.

Sir Robert Peel, Castle Street (Inn Partnership, ex-Greenalls)

Busy pub, formerly one of the better ones on Castle Street. No real ale

Gatley

Retains an attractive village centre, around which has grown up a mixture of middle-class suburbia and Manchester overspill housing. Very well served in terms of quality of pubs, although choice is limited if you don't like Hydes.

* Gothic Bar, Church Road (Cain's): Small, rather spartan pub converted from a former chapel, offering the full range of Cain's beers. Nice to see a Cain's outlet in the area, but is this the right location for one?
* High Grove, Silverdale Road (Hydes): Modern estate pub in very tucked-away location. Recently refurbished to put more emphasis on food. Road approach involves negotiating a nightmarish sequence of road humps and chicanes

* Horse & Farrier, Stockport Road (Hydes): Attractive former coaching inn with a variety of cosy rooms around a central bar, prominently situated opposite Gatley's distinctive clock tower. Strong appeal to an older clientele. In Autumn 2002 given a high-quality refurbishment as a "Hydes Heritage Inn"
* Prince of Wales, Gatley Green (Hydes): Small, low-ceilinged pub attractively situated facing the village green
Red Lion, Gatley Green (Whitbread): Predominantly aimed at a younger clientele. Not visited. No real ale

Great Moor

Community straddling the busy A6 between Stockport and Hazel Grove. If you don't like Robbies' you have to get on the bus.

* Crown, Buxton Road (Robinson's)

A large pub with a variety of different rooms and its own bowling green, appealing to a wide range of customers

* Dog & Partridge (Robinson's)

One of Robbies' few managed houses, a large rambling pub that retains a multi-roomed layout but has had the upper parts of the internal walls removed

* Traveller's Call, Buxton Road (Robinson's)

Smallest of the three Great Moor pubs, with small cosy rooms and a collection of bells and other bric-a-brac

Town Centre | Areas H-L | Areas M-Z | Over the Borders

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