The Baum, Rochdale

I'm sorry to report that The Baum suffered a hostile takeover by Simon's ex wife on Monday. Not only will I not be ordering beer anymore I don't have a local either. RIP The Baum. It will never be the same again.

A visit as part of my aim to visit all 16 Camra 2017 POTY nominees, it's a corker and described quite nicely by previous visitors below. Three ales of varying styles sampled - Roosters Scrambler, Seven Bro7hers Stout and Kirkstall Reverence - and all in superb shape. Friendly staff and locals, intimate decor and an unprompted request for my Camra card (the latter a first for me) means this ticks so many boxes. I don't give many 9s out, but this pub fully deserves it.

A cracker of a pub. Descriptions are elsewhere but this is a must if you're in Rochdale. Highly recommended.

Coach House Farriers Best, Phoenix Mid-Summer Madness, Slaters Queen Bee, Holts Humdinger, Coach House Dick Turpin, in banks of 3 at front & 2 to side, the front bank double-clipped. I wasn't really in review mode but, in deference to ROBCamra & kindly guv Simon, the sketchy notes state wood-floored, L-shaped bar, lots of old pumpclips on display, up a step to an open snug area, my exclamation mark presumably suggests the red-cushioned settles are quite bright(?), to the rear a good conservatory, and beyond to a large outside area with the surprise of two boules pistes - that's right folks, a petanque league is alive & well in the Dale! Old tin adverts decorate the walls, I have a vague memory of an upright piano (unsupported by notes). You would deffo need local knowledge to find, hidden behind the central of 3 menu boards between door & bar, a great old photo of the shop that the place used to be (notes fail again, but hardware store, I think), anyway very well done to those who made the transition to the fine pub it has now become. I reckon the walk back to stn is ~a mile, so leave more time for your train than I did, or take a cab but don't try to offload yr mexican pesos round here!