Baiting the Old Black Bull: Pub Crawl in Preston
Last updated : 11 November 2011 By exiledessexboy
Preston County Hall; no drinking here as far as we know
It's been four and a half years since I last had a pint in Preston, and I can't remember much about it, and we won as well, so for starters here's an introduction from the hardened drinkers at
www.ciderspace.co.uk who I haven't been quoting much from lately as Yeovil stubbornly refuse to join us in the bottom tier, though this is the season that might catch them out, just as we return to League One, the division that presently holds one of the most legendary names in football, Preston North End.
General: Preston has just the one brewery inside the city, namely the Hart Brewery (often known as Hart of Preston). As they are a smaller brewery, there's no single mainstream brewery with a tie over the city, meaning there's a fair bit of variety out there.
For those who want a beer close to the stadium, The Sumners and the Royal Garrison are opposite each other in Tom Finney Way, whilst the Withy Trees is a slightly longer walk but therefore a bit less busy.
The Anderton Arms is Good Beer Guide listed, and convenient for those driving in off the motorway.
If you're after a pub crawl, then Friargate in the City Centre is about 30 minutes walk and will give you a string of high quality pubs, that are given the CAMRA quality stamp.
As far as food is concerned, if you’re not after the pub grub that most of these places serve, there is the Deepdale Shopping Park which is about a 10-15-minute walk from the ground down Blackpool Road. It’s got a selection of fast-food time emporiums: McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway, Gregg’s, Nando’s, Costa Coffee, not to mention a drive-thru Starbucks at the entrance - or there’s a Sainsbury’s supermarket right by the ground.
Club Bar :
Unless you’re a VIP, there’s not an official club bar at the stadium, the nearest watering hole is the Deepdale Labour Club on Skeffington Road, a minute’s walk from the ground, it’s 50p to get in, has snooker, cheap beer and satellite television. Expect plenty of "you're not from round here" to be uttered a lot though.
All stands have bars in the concourse serving the usual range of lager, bitter, soft drinks as well as your expected range of food and snacks.
Thanks guys, and if you want a local view on where you should be heading take a look at our sister site's own pub guide: www.prestonnorthend-mad.co.uk
Old Black Bull: 35 Friargate, PR1 2AT.
Ciderspace tell us: 'In the heart of the city centre and opposite the local Wetherspoons, The Greyfriar, the Old Black Bull has to be a must-see for the discerning drinker. It dates back to the mid-1800s and has all the charms with a black-and-white Tudor frontage, huge fireplace and black-and-white tiled throughout; rumour even has it there are tunnels running under the pub to a nearby pub which gave monks access in days gone by.
The landlord, Stan Eaton who has been in situ more than 20 years, is a real ale fanatic and anyone seeking these kind of brews with not be disappointed with what they find – all the Cask Marques and other accreditations you could wish for and a great range.'
Black Horse Hotel: 166 Friargate, PR1 2EJ.
Well, Andy on www.bestpubs.co.uk says: 'Whenever I am in Preston, I always pop in here for a pint as it is the best pub for miles. An untouched Victorian delight with beer to match.Fantastic ales on offer and it is a nice friendly pub with excellent staff. We have been 'gluepotted' here on more than a few occasions - once you're in you don't want to leave!'
So there you are, if in town, grab a beer!
Ye Olde Blue Bell: PR1 3BS.
On the way to the ground if you've tried the top two, worth a look as it's run by Samulel Smith's brewery which always serves good beer at decent prices, try the Museum Ale if on.
The Sumners: 195 Watling Street Road, Fulwood, PR2 8AB.
A 10-minute walk down Sir Tom Finney Way to the stadium, follow the crowd!
Friendly place and decent beer, Boddingtons and Thaeakstons usually on offer, home and away fans mixing well, what more do you want?
There is also a fair sized beer garden and it serves good pub grub, while the kiddies are welcome as well.
Closer to Deepdale, the Sumners, on Sir Tom Finney Way, provides a friendly atmosphere with an amiable mix of home and away support. It offers a good range of beers and the food is reported as excellent. Parkingis also available for patrons. Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground.
One for the drivers
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Anderton Arms: Longsands Lane, Fulwood, PR2 9PS.
Ciderspace again: 'If you’re driving to Deepdale, come off at Junction 31a of the M6 and head towards the city centre and you will see the Anderton Arms on the roundabout. This is a great place to stop for a pre-match meal with everything from a full grill, fish menu, gourmet burgers, sandwiches, pudding ... a good selection, anyway.
Another one for the ale fans with Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Cask Marque approvals all round here for quite a varied selection of ales, including many from the Thwaites brewery down the road in Blackburn. Only really accessible if you’re driving, as probably a good 45 minutes walk from the stadium. Note they admit children aged over 14 only when dining with an adult.'
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(Thanks to www.beerintheevening.com, www.ciderspace.co.uk, and http://toplancspubs.blogspot.com for scrounging the use of their photos.)
