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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Old Friends Inn, Ulverston
Ulverston
LA12 7ES
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Ian Mapp left this review about The Old Friends Inn
Someone on Twitter told me this was the best pub in town. A freehouse, a short walk away. The bar was busy, with no room for us to get in, which meant we were in a quiet side room and sadly alone. Beers were not too interesting - think there were four cask on and I narrowed it down to a choice between Tetley (chosen) and Golden Hen.
Maybe I need to go and aim for the front bar!
On 24th February 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about The Old Friends Inn
No longer a Robinson's pub, though the pub name and the words Free House look like the old Hartley's Brewery style. It's a brew house with an on-site brewery of the same name. There were four beers on, two from out back and two from Keswick brewery (a long way from home). Maybe another time. I went for the New Acquaintance, which was a little hazy but a pleasant enough drink. Worth a visit on days when we don't have to wait until 4pm for the pub to open (not Mon/Tue/Wed), though locals were gathering while I was here, so it's obviously popular.
On 25th June 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Old Friends Inn
Certainly a good ale range but I was slightly underwhelmed, pretty bland interior dominated by a huge Six Nations rugby TV. and not the character or cosy feeling that I was expecting. Some overloud middle aged locals were making themselves centre of attention. There are certainly better pubs down the hill.
On 5th February 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Old Friends Inn
Excellent little pub up a hill from the main drag. A 2 roomed pub with the bar in the room to your left. 5 handpulls with beers from Ulverston Brewery, Tirril, Hobgoblin and a real cider/perry. Beer garden to the rear. I liked it.
On 17th September 2021
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Old Friends Inn
First impressions of this pub were not the best. I'd emailed in advance to find out if my son would be allowed in. The answer was no. This was the only pub in the town that would not let him in.
Nevertheless, our plans changed and it was only myself that visited, along with a friend.
We met the landlord, who is also in charge of the resident brewery.
Only one of the Old Friends Brewery beers was on - Old Pals Porter. 2 guests were Cross Bay The EPA & Healey's The Welly. In addition, they had Sheppy's Blackberry and Elderflower Cider.
The Porter and the cider both went down very nicely and the pub had a nice, friendly atmosphere. The resident cat was making itself at home on a local's lap.
Great little backstreet pub that despite initial impressions turned out to be my favourite pub in the town.
On 4th August 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Lester Ford left this review about The Old Friends Inn
Another review from July 2016.
Away from the busy centre of town and up a short hill is this ex Robinsons pub that is very much a locals pub with a nice relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
I believe its now a free house, during my visit they had 4 ales and 1 cider on the hand pumps, 2 offerings from Robinson's, their own brew that's in collaboration with Greenodd Brewery and Dent's Golden Fleece @ 3.7% which was my choice.
Half busy inside, they had just finished hosting a gin tasting, there was 2 couples and the landlady left in the room to the right finishing off the gins. We took a seat here minding our own business & enjoying our drinks, the other punters were either in the area by the bar or in the very lovely beer garden with a patio up the top and garden running to the rear.
Only stayed for a pint before moving on after a long day. Worth the walk up the hill to sample this pub if you haven't been already.
On 5th April 2017
- rating: 8
[User has posted 80 recommendations about 78 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Old Friends Inn
This is a nice Victorian terraced Hartley's pub with a patio at the back. The pub has a touch of the Georgian, with its neo-classic columned entrance. It is in white, with black paintwork around the heavy mullioned windows. Has a row of dormer windows too. The pub has two rooms, either side of the central passageway entrance (a former outdoor, i guess). The room to the left had the serving bar in it. It was in white with a stone flag floor and I think there was an iron range in one corner - i disappeared to the other room. This is to the right of the passage. It is on two levels, and in white, with white beam ceiling and wood floor (some blue carpet). There are perimeter seats and bar stools and there is a dart board, piano and mirrors and a few pictures on the walls. There was a TV here, but it wasn't on and the music was quite folky and played at a decent level. The service was really friendly and several locals were in at my visit. Beer; usual tap stuff withRobinson's Dizzy Blonde, Rocket and a decent Hartley's XB on handpull. I loved this little place, a little gem for me - well worth a visit.
On 17th May 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Old Friends Inn
Old Friends is a small pub that is set in a terrace and it is just a short walk from the centre of Ulverston.
Once inside we went in a smallish room that was quite nice and comfy this was probably the lounge,when we went in this pub it was a Hartleys tied house and there were two real ales on the bar we had a drink of Hartleys bitter and this was a very nice drink the other beer was Hartleys XB.
I quite liked this pub.
Pub visited 15/4/1989
Photo taken 16/4/1989
On 15th April 1989
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]