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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

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Submitted on Monday, 9^th July 2012
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Top Lock, Chorley

Pub added by peter ashworth

Copthurst Lane
Wheelton
Postal town: Chorley
PR6 8LS

Phone: 01257263376

Correct details

Pub Type

Star Pubs & Bars (Heineken)

Served areas

Wheelton

Reviews of Top Lock (Average Rating: 8½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Brainy Pool left this review about Top Lock

gone are the days when this pub was a 9/10 unfortunately, though it’s still okay. Tucked away by the canal on a narrow village road, it was a bit of a treacherous walk from Malthouse Farm on a dark January evening. A rather grey single roomed interior, 80s songs playing on a TV, not unpleasant but just a bit uninspiring for a pub you have to make an effort to visit. the ubiquitous Wainwrights and Landlord on the bar, a far cry from its ale specialist heyday but the Landlord was in good nick. It’s open again at least but this offering would not inspire me to leave the Red Lion.

On 5^th January 2025 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Steve Segar left this review about Top Lock

Easily found if you are traveling on the canal but a little harder to locate via the road network, this little gem is certainly worth seeking out.
Stone building on the junction of Copthurst and Kenyon lanes it is a quaint one roomed affair with about four booth style tables and the rest are standard wooden types. The place has lots of Camera ale on offer as well as the standard farye. Menu is missing some pub grub favourites but we had no real problems selecting and the meals themselves were excellent value and the portions were particularly hearty. The food was well cooked and the selection of vegetables attached at the side were worthy of comment. We were a party of nine on a Saturday evening and the pub was rather busy when we arrived but the food was prepared reasonable quickly and certainly was approved by everybody's taste buds. We will definitely revisit again when back in the area.
One thing to note is that the car park get's full with walker's off for the day and so they have devised a £5 ticket which you pay on arrival and then can reclaim the full deposit so long as a purchase of food or drink is made. Neat way of ensuring there are places for his regulars whilst still offering 'free' places to visitors.

On 21^st June 2015 - rating: 9
[User has posted 77 recommendations about 74 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Thuck Phat left this review about Top Lock

The Top Lock is an appealing pub in a great location at Hillcock Top Lock.
Inside it's a fairly dull, but not unpleasant, one roomed affair. The bar is to the right as you enter and you won't miss it because it's where all the vertical drinking is happening. Around the walls are tables and those to the left were popular with diners while the rest were, sensibly, being used for drinking.
Don't be put off by the punters at the bar, we found them to be both friendly and knowledgable on the ale front. My guess is that if you were on your own the problem would be not getting involved in a session rather than getting to the bar.
The food range is pub grub but is clearly home cooked although our experience was mixed and if you're eating go for whatever's on 'special' or is simple.
The ale though is top notch. On our visit the choice was: Oakham Citra, Abbeydale Demon Drink, Jaipur IPA, Landlord, Bragdy Conwy Mulberry Dark, Rudgate Diamond Jubilee, Acorn Gorlovka, Holts Humdinger and Coniston Bluebird. A great range across both strength and styles and in top nick. Those vertical drinkers have a lot to be grateful for and us occasional visitors should thank them for managing to sustain such a range.
A great ale house.

On 6^th August 2012 - rating: 9
[User has posted 683 recommendations about 682 pubs]

View more reviews of Top Lock (5)

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