The Royal Dyche, Burnley

Unsurprisingly the Royal Dyche is a Burnley FC supporter’s pub where lots of different Burnley football shirts cover the ceiling and hang from the walls. The serving counter is found on the right-hand wall and banquettes run around the wall to the front left. A Pool table is found to the left rear and there’s a separate room with seating and a dartboard in the right rear. Televisions throughout were airing muted Darts via Sky Sports while background music played during a recent midweek evening visit. Standard and premium keg were both available and the lone hand pump was drawing Reedley Hallows Proper Natter, which they’ve launched to highlight mental health awareness. This is a no frills football supporter’s high street boozer that doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

Situated just down the road from Burnley Football Club, it is named after the former manager of the football club, who now happens to manage the team I follow. In truth, we weren't planning to pay this pub a visit, but a couple of us acted on impulse and popped in for a swift one on the way to the game. There are a number of different rooms, with various Burnley memorabilia and photos on the walls, in addition to an outdoor area at the rear. Our brief walk around didn't identify too many tables. Maybe they are removed on matchdays, but it was largely equipped for vertical drinking. At the bar, I was surprised to see a couple of real ales - Reedley Hallows Pendleside & Bowland Hen Harrier. A much better pub that I had anticipated.

Facebook page of The Royal Dyche - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Royal Dyche - www.facebook.com

In spite of the old sounding name and the Tudor-a-like pub sign it’s named after a footballer. Located just after, in fact almost under, “The Conduit” an aqueduct carrying the Leeds and Liverpool canal over a busy road spotted with a few pubs near the football ground. Split down the middle you have the counter to your right and a large sitting room to the left, there’s a pierced wall separating ta rear bit with a pool table from the left hand room. Many screens about the place. Beer wise, there’s a single hand pump with a very average Bowland beer plus a wide selection of national kegs. A massive collection of football shirts covers the ceilings. For some reason a lot of the pub is decorated in claret and blue, as indeed is the rear garden.