Ah..the Saddle. I grew up nearby and was told by my Dad that this pub was where Oliver Cromwell tied up his horse and had a pint. I'm not sure about that but I guess it is "old". It has a blue plaque thing outside which I didn't read.
It had been several years since I visited but the layout hasn't changed much. There is a small bar as you walk in and then two distinct rooms, one of which was packed and the other empty. The empty one was called "Lords" (not sure why) and seemed to be a dining room. I wasn't eating but went in there as I was only having a quick pint.
So, to beer. They had a decent selection of real ales-maybe about five. A nice touch which I haven't seen in any other pub was that in front of each tap they had a small jar which contained the beer. I asked what it was for and was told it is so customers could see the colour of the beer-light, dark etc. A really nice touch.
I had a pint of Thwaites Lancaster Blonde. A very good pint and well kept.
The decor hasn't changed in the Saddle-old prints etc. In the Lords room was a wonderful old fireplace. The place undoubtedly has atomosphere. However, here is the one gripe I have. MUSIC. The core demographics here is not hipster and yet they had music blaring out. Please, please ditch the music! A pub like the Saddly where people of a certain age come in for convivial chat doesn't need a bellowing Celine Dion. If this pub was in London I suspect it would not have music. Anyway, aside from that-a characterful pub, good beers, nice staff and a nice atmosphere. Almost full marks for this neck of the Woiods. read more