Eric Morecambe: Did not expect to have a Weatherspoon's named after him
I needed help on this as I've never been to Morecambe so thanks to www.footballandrealaleguide.co.uk and www.footballgroundguide.com for directing me in the right direction and I hope as many of you as possible get up their in time to make the Smugglers Den which looks an interesting pub.
Club Bar
The away end has it's own bar and catering outlet as you would expect in such a new ground.
Smugglers Den; 56 Poulton Road, LA4 5HB.
This is the oldest pub in Morecambe, and it's haunted, to be expected in view of its nefarious past!
It is situated in Poulton, the original fishing village which became run down before more recent resurrection. Poulton is close to the modern town centre and transport.
The pub is said to be haunted and to boast a tunnel leading to the beach for purposes the eponymous name might suggest. The Smugglers is worth a visit anyway as a rare real ale pub in Morecambe though you would need to get their early to make it to the Globe Arena, not one for the coaches.
The beer is excellent, with Adnams regular and two guests changing every week. The pub was the CAMRA Lunesdale Branch best pub in 2007. The space comprises a spacious main bar (where there is much to absorb you including stain glass windows depicting smuggling scenes) and the vault, with darts board and adjacent kitchen.
York Hotel; 87 Lancaster Road, LA4 5QH.
Was great for the old Christie Park ground, but provided a double decker bus on matchdays, so we're hoping that hospitable custom continues, then again it's only a ten minute walk!
In the CAMRA Good Beer guide, some decent ale on tap and an all round good atmosphere, it even has it's own website to check out: www.yorkhotelmorecambe.co.uk
The Eric Bartholomew; 10-18 Euston Road, LA4 5DD.
The local Weatherspoon's and one of the better ones, found in the town centre and close to the train station.
The Ranch House; Marine Road West, LA4 4DG.
An oddity this if you find yourself on the seafront, not the best write-ups in some quarters but look at it, worth a beer then maybe buggering off quick to find a better choice!
Station: Second top left, the blue blob; Smuggler's Den: Top right, top of Poulton Road; York Hotel: Off second top right, Euston Road becomes Lancaster Road; The Eric Bartholomew: Second top left, beloe turnstall Street; The Ranch House: Off third top left, but best follow Central Drive from Station to Marine Road West on seafront, then turn left; Stadium: Bottom right, above Westgate.
(Thanks to www.footballandrealaleguide.co.uk and www.beerintheevening.com for the photos.)