The Wine Press, Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough

This pub was called The Fishermans a.k.a. “The Fish” for years. It was always popular with bikers and used to have a rock DJ and live bands. Things have changed dramatically in the last couple of years and it’s now more of a wine bar and eating place, but for some reason it’s still popular with some of the bikers. It still has music on some Fridays but it’s not rock any more. It’s one large room split into sections, with lots of leather seating and dining tables, but it’s also got some bar stools for people just wanting a beer. There are no fruit or quiz machines in the pub. There’s a decent sized patio at the front with fine views of Hollingworth Lake. This whole area was known as “The Weavers Seaport” when cotton was king as the locals used to travel here for a walk along its promenade. The public footpath goes all round the lake and is about a 2 1/4 mile walk, well worth a try. There are 3 handpumps on the bar and on Friday they were selling Black Sheep bitter, Moorhouses Pride of Pendle and Copper Dragon Best. The Copper Dragon was on fine form if a little expensive for round here at £2.60 a pint and we sat outside the front of the pub in the early evening sunshine. It’s an OK place in a great location, especially in Summer.