The Crown, Bolton

This is a large Holts pub with a prominent street corner location on a busy junction at the top of Chorley New Road. The interior has sadly been opened out a lot from an obvious multi-roomed previous layout, but it still retains a degree of charm and it's not too difficult to picture where dividing walls would once have stood. Entering into the front carpeted main bar, there is a vast open space to the left, skirted with banquettes, small tables and low stools, but otherwise rather barren, with customers sat around the perimeter looking a bit like they'd been put on display. The servery is quite a nice affair with a few woodwork details on the pillars and canopy which was lined with pump clips and had a few old porcelain items balanced on top. The room has been painted in red and cream, which might not be in keeping with the pub's heritage, but at least it isn't the worst colour combination. To the right is another large open space, this time centred around a small fireplace, with more banquettes either side. Another 'room' appears further back on the right hand side of the L shaped bar where some remarkably hard and uncomfortable banquettes once again run around the walls, supplemented by low stools and a few chairs. Some local black and white photos are on display and a set of scales have been rather provocatively placed next to the door to the ladies toilets. A couple of TV screens in this area and to the front, were showing the evening's late Premier League fixture with music playing over the commentary. One final, self contained room behind the servery, houses a pool table and dartboard and had another TV showing the football as well as its own access to the bar. Two banks of handpulls on the main bar were dispensing Holts Bitter, IPA, Mild and Two Hoots, Morland Old Speckled Hen and Elgoods Golden Newt. I tried a pint of the Mild which was pretty good and I regretted not taking more time over it, having rushed off to catch a bus that drove past me before I got to the stop. I thought this was a nice enough pub, perhaps a bit too impersonal feeling thanks to the vast spaces created by opening the rooms out, but still a good spot to enjoy a well kept pint. It's one of a number of good ale houses in Horwich and I'd be happy to call in again the next time I'm in town.

Large well maintained Joseph Holt house that seems to do a fair lunchtime trade.The mild was spot on.