New Inn, Clitheroe

Blessed with a fine location in the shadow of Clitheroe Castle, the New Inn is a classic traditional pub with a multiple room layout. Entering through attractive stained glass doors bearing the pub's name, you find yourself in a corridor from which you can access several distinctly different rooms. To the left there is a compact front bar with a serving hatch on the rear wall and a good amount of banquette seating around the bare boarded room. This struck me as a nice place to relax over a pint whilst still benefitting from some of the atmosphere generated in the public bar to the rear of the pub. This is a popular room with limited seating opposite the main servery which runs down the left hand wall. The right hand side of the pub has two quieter lounges, comfier than the other rooms, but a little staid and notably shunned by most customers. The front lounge is bare boarded with long banquettes around the perimeter, a fireplace on the end wall and decorated with old photos from around town. The rear lounge is similarly furnished and also has a fireplace which would be welcome in winter months. The ale range was wider than any I found in Clitheroe and seemed to focus on two breweries - Moorhouse and Coach House. The crowd in the main bar meant that I couldn't make out all of the pump clips, but I did note Coach House Gunpowder Mild, Postlethwaites, Farrier's Bitter and Blueberry Classic Bitter, Moorhouse Bitter, Blonde Witch and Pride of Pendle. I rather rashly opted for the Gunpowder Mild, which I quickly remembered having tried before and not enjoyed, and unfortunately the same was the case this time, although there was nothing wrong with the conditioning. I was only able to make a flying visit here as I had very little time before I had to catch a bus back to Blackburn, but I left with the impression of a lively and popular pub which should appeal to the traditionalist and be a draw for anyone seeking good beer. You will do well to find a better pub in town.

Exellent traditional pub close to Clitheroe castle. Multi roomed interior with small central bar and cosy lounge. Good choice of real ales.