Harrington Arms, Macclesfield

Absolutely superb pub, listed on CAMRA's National Inventory for its unspoilt interiors. The impressive building has a small front bar with a snug beyond, and several other rooms off a corridor. There is a pleasant large and partly covered drinking area outside. The whole place has a welcoming and slightly idiosyncratic feel. Beers from Robinson's and some excellent home-cooked food add to the mix. Strongly recommended.

Visited in May 2010 Fine, traditional country pub situated several miles south of Macclesfield just off the A536 Congleton Road. It's a Grade 2 listed building, part of a working farm, and consists of a number of unspoilt basic rooms either side of a central corridor. There's some basic fixed seating, old settles and quarry tiled floors. One room has a piano and the walls are decorated with some farming related pictures ( eg - shire horses ) . The pub is listed in CAMRA's National Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors. On my early evening visit, the pub was surprisingly busy with a good cross section of customers and a friendly welcoming atmosphere was immediately apparent. The pub is obviously run by an enterprising landlord as I noticed that a cocktail evening was being held on the coming Saturday where cocktails and canapes and musical entertainment were on offer for the princely sum of £ 10. On Sunday 30 May, a Kiwi tradition - a Hangi - is being performed, which is a method of slow cooking food under the ground, which has previously been heated up by a bonfire. Tickets - priced at £ 8 - include some New Zealand music and a demonstration of the Haka. I suppose that pubs - especially those in rural locations - are realising that decent beer and a warm welcome isn't always enough nowadays. The Harrington Arms is a Robinsons pub which was offering Unicorn, Hatters Mild and 4-4-2, the latter being evidently one of the plethora of World Cup themed beers that we're going to have to get used to seeing over the next month or so. The Hatters Mild ( 3.3% ABV ) was an enjoyable pint, but, at £ 2.45p, perhaps more expensive than I might have expected, given that the stronger Unicorn ( 4.2% ABV ) was £ 2.55p - only 10p dearer. This is another pub worth making an effort to get to when in the area.

Wonderful old pub, run by a great landlady and team who have revived the pub in recent months, without losing any of the lovely welcoming and traditional feel of the place. Some of the best-kept Robinson's ales around. Great folk music session on Friday nights.