I will always remember this pub fondly as the first place I bought my first pint (legally) and I am…read moresure I am not alone in sharing this landmark with the Cross House. I guess this little story sums up the Cross House's status as a pub for special occasions for me, but never considered as a viable option for my local. The interior is interestingly decorated and the variety of different seating available is excellent, offering many comfortable areas to converse over a few pints. The food served there is nothing special - standard pub fare and priced accordingly - but whenever I have visited the atmosphere has always been warm and inviting, perfect for a birthday or other special occasion. That's the thing though; although it's a very pleasant pub, it just doesn't have the 'feel' of a local. Maybe it's something to do with the distinct lack of odd, drunken regulars (they always seem a respectable lot in there) which I see as a staple of establishments to be considered as my 'local' (is this normal for someone my age? Let's not go there). They also have a weekly quiz night, although it is probably one of the more difficult ones in Formby (only beaten by the Bay Horse) and a lovely outdoor area, perfect for a not-so-warm summer's night with a few bottles of cider.

This is pub I went to on my eighteenth birthday. It wasn't the first place I ever drank - I won't…read morename and shame the pub that served me when I was sixteen - but it was the first place I legally drank. It's a nice pub too, smokefree before it became the law (strange to think there was ever a time when you might come home from a pub stinking of tobacco) and with a gastopub-leaning menu before gastropub really existed (a pub with asparagus on the menu, even if it was a Formby specialty, was unheard of) It has the sort of unpracticed sort of charm, with mismatched furniture and low beams, that only an authentic pub really does, the sort of authentic pub-charm that various branches of Wetherspoons and Slug & Lettuce try to emulate. They have old speckled hen on tap occasional live music and the pub quiz is easily the best to be found in Formby. It's a shame that we hardly seem to go anymore, I'll have to start reliving my eighteenth birthday.

This beautiful country bistro / Gastro pub is a great place for a family lunch…read more The menu is vast and there were plenty of options to suit everyone. They range from starters and large main meals to smaller 'soup and sandwich' options. The game pie I tried was amazing - juicy and tender meats with a lovely crisp pastry on top. The chips, outstanding too!

This is my favorite country pub in Cheshire by far! The food never disappoints and the atmosphere…read moreis terrific. I always visit when I am in the UK and have been visiting for he past 35 years.

The Water Witch is one of the best real ale pubs in Lancaster, a town not known for great venues…read more It's located right next to the canal, with a generously designed outside seating area [Unfortunately, it was raining all the time I spent in Lancaster]. The pub itself isn't as big as it seems from outside, with much of the pub area divided into single-spaced, window-seated tables. On the plus side, that means it won't get too noisy when the placed is packed. The real ale selection is certainly adequate [I've seen better, and much worse, the latter more often], the staff generally nice and helpful, and the real ales being kept fresh. Recommended for Lancaster.

The Witch is a lovely big old rambling canalside pub/restaurant, just a few minute's walk from…read moreLancaster centre. It's a very pleasant pub to spend the afternoon in, looking over the canal boats outside, and it's spacious enough that you can find a quiet corner to yourself most of the time. They have a great selection of real ales to sample, and even offer special discounts for CAMRA members. Tthe food menu is a definite cut above the average and is easily comparable with the best restaurants in town. There's a cool, homely, welcoming ambience about the place that lifts your spirits as soon as you walk in the door. A perfect place to spend a relaxing couple of hours away from the bustle of city life.

If you are in the area, this is a must stop. It has fantastic views of the river. The food was…read morespectacular. Half of my group got vegetarian dishes and half did not. I personally ordered the wild boar pie and it was amazing!

Amazingly fast service, friendly staff. Good food. Had the Sunday roast. Yum! Amazing view of the…read moreRiver Dee

The Boat is afloat !!…read more Nestled right up alongside the River Dee and recently reopened, the Boat has lost none of its charm or ambiance. I like the fact that they support the community around the area by buying their Beer and Produce locally whenever possible. Records date an Alehouse here right back to the 13th century and the interior decor reflects how the building has grown through the centuries.Lots of Oak beams and stone floors add buckets of character. You can choose one of the quiet corners for privacy or park up in one of the larger open areas and banter away or, weather permitting, take a table outside. Called in for lunch the other day and the menu, although not extensive, has everything for feeding all tastes from a wake-up morning coffee (open at 11am) to a refreshing pint of ale and home baked pie, or spend an easy evening with a fondue and some warm torn bread washed down with a pint of locally brewed traditional free house Cask Ale. They also have an excellent choice of Wines should you fancy a change. Once you have had your fill then ease down that food and drink by taking a riverside country walk!! The scenery is stunning. The great thing about 'The Boat' is that is a place for all seasons. When the weather is warm you can sit alongside the river and watch folk fishing for Trout, Salmon and Eel and may even catch a glimpse of the Otters who live on the opposite bank. When colder weather arrives you walk through the door to be welcomed by open log fires, and feel like you are home. Turning up here on a snowy Winters afternoon is a Dickensian delight. Word of warning - double check your directions before you set out as the Boat Inn is off the beaten track at the end of a long winding lane. ..... Maybe it should be called The One Way Inn ?

What a secret little haven The Boat Inn is! It's only about 10 minutes from our house, but we…read moreliterally stumbled across it on one of our daily jaunts around the countryside. And what a lucky day for us! Charming snug of a place, the open fires, low ceilings and original beams transport you back to a simpler time. The staff is wonderfully warm and welcoming, with excellent food to back it up. A combination of traditional pub food and higher-end "gastro-pub" fare, you really can't go wrong here. And the portions are impressive-- beware if you're ordering a starter and main. You may not have room for their excellent desserts! Ample seating inside and out-- can't wait for warmer weather to sit outside at the picnic tables alongside the River Dee. The best inside seating is in the original building as opposed to the more modern conservatory (though it depends on your taste). Bookings are not necessary, but if you want a seat by the fire, definitely call ahead!

A wining combination of fantastic food and wonderful service make the Railway a go to spot for…read moretravelers and locals alike. A wonderful English pub nestled in a beautiful location, the decor is traditional pub but with modern upgrades to the bar, but its the food that's the real winner here. Specials listed on chalkboards around the pub offer alternates to the solid menu, i really wished i could have ordered about 5 appetizers and 6 main's but alas, only one stomach! Prawn cocktail app was traditional English, small prawns in a delicious marie rose sauce with a few slices of granary bread, this was a huge serving, could almost feed two (but there was no way i was sharing!) For mains i went light, grilled salmon with baked potato with seasonal veggies, absolutely cooked to perfection grilled salmon with a decent sized potato with carrots and green beans. Other winners at our table were the Sunday roast, meat and potato pie, ribs and chicken and the southern fried chicken. Great value, clean, and a well diverse menu make The Railway one of my favorite places to visit when i'm in England.

Very surprised to see that nobody has reviewed this great little pub-cum-restaurant yet, as it's…read morebeen popular locally for years! You can always get a really good feed, with food ranging from hearty pasta dishes to Asian favourites like Thai green curry etc. Maybe none of the food is particularly groundbreaking, but it's hard to bear for value for money and me and my wife often come here when we have someone to look after the kids. There's plenty of space and the pricing is very fair for what you get. Only minor quibble might be that the music is sometimes a little on the loud side and I always feel vaguely rushed when that's the case, but like I say: a minor quibble in what is otherwise a very nice little local haunt.

Just updating here to add a few more photos from our most recent visit! That Beef Wellington was…read more*divine*!

Brilliant. ... quite simply brilliant. This is a gastro pub and not fine dining but the food is…read moreawsome for the price of £6-8 for a starter and 9-13 for a main, with steak coming slightly above this. Beers aee great with the usual draughts complimented by some good hand pulled guest beers..... try the paddle of 3 x beers of your choice for £3.50. ..bargin. Staff are so attentive, decor is on point and the welcome from Paul n his team is bang on. Come and enjoy some of the best Lancashire hospitality in a beautiful Lancashire village. You will be happy u did.

The first time I went in here was about 30 years ago and it wasn't called the tavern on the bay. It…read morewas a lovely quaint little pub with an excellent choice in beers, a warm cosy vault, and great atmosphere. Now it's been redeveloped into a light airy pub with fantastic views it hasn't lost any of its former charm (apart from the vault). Wonderful place with a private car park.

this place is always booked up - spoke to the manager Dylan who was so lovely and squeezed us in…read more I've not been for over a year tbh as it's always booked up but it was the best meal I've had in a long time - great setting - great staff - fabulous atmosphere and fabulous food - well done to you all Paula

Really impressed with our midweek lunch at the Saracens head…read more The pub building itself is quite old but has been fully refurbished inside into a comfortable pub and restaurant, more restaurant than pub. There are comfortable sofas and cushions in the front pub area and larger dining area in the middle. Casual, uncluttered and clean lines is the look. We were welcomed and shown to a table overlooking the Leeds - Liverpool canal which passes right outside. The lunch menu is quite extensive with options to cover all tastes. We started with baked camembert with red onion marmalade and shared between us. Well put together and the onion marmalade was the perfect accompaniment. I chose a main of steamed suet pudding of pheasant, partridge and wild mushrooms with garlic mash, red cabbage and cabernet jus. Just excellent. Great British food at its best. The pudding was more like a suet crust pie and the game and mushroom filling was very enjoyable and perfectly complemented by the smoked garlic mash and red cabbage with flavourful jus. I also sampled the roast chicken supreme with pancetta, white beans and colcannon potato cake. Again, really well thought out and prepared with good flavour combinations. Generous portion sizes, just what we wanted on a cold winter's day. Didn't make it to desert but next time... Service was friendly and efficient and prices reasonable for the high quality cooking. Couldn't fault it so a high rating from me and look forward to going back.

Sat outside this place and had a drink, however what I saw of it deserves 4*. A couple of people…read moresay near were having food and it looked excellent. Service was fast, prices were reasonable for drinks, interior decor was nice, staff were pleasant and it's well situated. Short and sweet. 4*.

We struggled to get in here on Saturday evening when we moored on the canal. That it's fully booked…read morebodes well and is deserved. The service and food were good, even thought we had to eat outside on the terrace where it was a bit chilly. Well worth a visit.

I was invited to a christening at the Blue Mallard and it was an amazing experience. The food was…read morefantastic and there was such a relaxed atmosphere. There were quite a few young children, and we were really impressed by the facilities and the food was perfect for everyone. Another benefit is that you can take a look around the Burscough Wharf which the Blue Mallard is part of. There is an old fashioned sweet shop, an art gallery and lots of other things to look at. You can almost make this a day out! I would strongly recommend the Blue Mallard for any event you are looking to run.