The Tandle Hill Tavern, Manchester

The Tandle Hill Tavern was quite at odds to the other urban JW Lee's pubs I'd visited on this day out in Greater Manchester. Despite being part of the main conurbation, you feel well away from civilisation when arriving here. The approach to the pub is along almost a mile of unmetalled road with huge potholes spread right across the road, which makes for an interesting and lengthy driving experience. Even the local tractors appeared to be having problems negotiating the lane. The pub had no external lighting at all. Walking in was like the scene in American Werewolf in London. There was nobody behind the bar, just about 6 or 7 all male customers who had stopped to see who had wandered in. The rather scruffy looking landlord appeared from the group to serve me. Ales on are JW Lee's Bitter and a house beer rather appropriately called Bumpy Lane. Seasonal beers from their Boilerhouse offshoot were also on - Pre-Prohibition Porter & Craft Pale. After my journey here, I should really have ordered the Bumpy Lane, but instead went for the Craft Pale, another nice beer that I'd only previously sampled in the New Inn in St Asaph, Wales. After being served, I took the plunge and went to sit amongst the locals and their dogs, one of whom (a local, not a dog) was sitting there with a massive bucket of chicken from KFC. A sole woman walked in with a dog. I get the feeling that walking here is the best option. Although there were a fair few cars parked in the lane outside. So, I guess some of these locals must tackle the bumpy road every time they visit. Certainly an intriguing place, this one. But I didn't really sense a warm welcome from the landlord or the regulars.