The Old Dog, Skelmersdale

Sadly, this is another pub that has now closed and is in the process of being converted.

Upholland does have quite a few pubs spread out across the village and the Old Dog is certainly one of the better ones. The pub is quite small but has a homely, old fashioned feel. The interior contains quite a basic bar area to the right of the entrance and a slightly more spacious (but only just) and more comfortable looking carpeted lounge bar to the left. There was also a small snug at the rear but it was in darkness so I didn’t get a chance to venture any further than than front of the pub although I understand there are some spectacular views of the surrounding hills from the back of the pub. It was in this pub that the hanged body of highwayman George Lyon, a friend of the landlord, was laid out before being anonymously buried in his sister’s grave in the church nearby in 1815. Some of the décor is a bit on the dated side (this is one of the few remaining homes of woodchip wallpaper) and the large TV is at odds with the ambience of the lounge bar but the vast ornamental dog collection will please certain pet lovers. The latest arrival in the picture collection would appear to be the pub half buried in January’s heavy snow and pub traditionalists will be impressd by the many old features; call bells, numbered doors, patterned windows and old fireplaces all being present. As for the beers, 4 ales on the go for my visit (London Pride (which probably isn’t that common in these parts), Brains SA, Caledonian Over The Bar (the current 6 nations rugby ale) and Banks Bitter. For a Saturday evening the place was virtually deserted apart from 3 or 4 regulars which is a pity because, whilst it probably isn’t the most atmospheric or visually appealing pub in the world, it does have a certain charm and I would certainly give it a more in depth visit at some stage in the future.