The Maltings, Old Hall, Warrington

Official site of The Maltings - www.prioryinns.com

Official site of The Maltings - www.prioryinns.com

My guess is that this was once a large and substantial stand alone Victorian house, but this area is now developed with modern housing estates, nevertheless, it is clearly the oldest building in the vicinity, despite a modern extension. Inside, the pub is extensive, with numerous crannies and alcoves, beamed ceilings, part flagged and part quarry tiled floor for the most part. There are a couple of fireplaces, one with a wood burning stove. Seating is traditional, with the usual mix of smallish tables, and including a few settles. There is a pool table in one corner and diagonally distant a dartboard in another; the pub has a thriving darts team and play league games at home on alternate Mondays. Notably the pub TVs were showing darts. Three handpumps, but only one clipped when I dropped by, serving "The Maltings Cask Ale". This was clipped with a Joshua Tetley logo, but as the demise of the Leeds brewery was recent I have no idea what this was. It was a brown bitter, not unpleasant, but run of the mill. Perhaps the new Marston's version? Various events advertised around, Tuesday Grill night, the inevitable Thursday curry and a Sunday quiz. Some outdoor seating, and a good watering hole if walking in the nearby Sankey Valley Park but I really wouldn't make a special effort.