The Donkey, Syke, Rochdale

This pub was called “The Green Gardens” for years, but everyone knew it as “The Donkey”. This was because there is a public footpath at the side of the pub called the donkey path locally, as there used to be several donkeys roaming free on the land the footpath crossed. Being friendly (and greedy) critters they used to stand at the top of the path and wait for people to pet and feed them, especially the kids. When the dads were going down the pub later that evening when asked where they were going by their kids they used to say “I’m going to visit the donkey”, hence the name of the pub. It’s a two roomed pub with a large nicely furnished lounge to the rear with good views over the moorland. There are plenty of decent settles and dining tables and chairs along with a number of bar stools, there are also display cabinets holding lots of bric-a-brac. The front room is smaller and is the tap room with a pool table, dartboard and a quiz machine. There are 3 handpumps on the bar, two in the lounge and one in the tap room. It’s a Lee’s tied house and only the bitter was available on cask, although there was a pumpclip for the Coronation Street ale turned round on another handpump. It’s an acquired taste is Lee’s but it’s a decent pint in here and at £2 it’s a bit of a bargain.

Enjoyed a lovely meal even during a big match on the large screens.

Used to be called Green Gardens.Extreme value for money, look carefully out of the windows to the east and you'll usually spot wild deer.