The Flying Horse, Rochdale

Fine old pub in a row of interesting buildings on Packer Street that would normally overlooking the Town Hall square (but this is temporarily obscured by building works). Opened-out into a L-shape - all parts traditionally furnished and decorated, but the different seating / dining areas still have some separation. Excellent selection of ten real ales and a couple of ciders from the 12 handpumps, and after a little thought I went for the local Pictish Lancashire Best, just £2.50.

Large place that's been sympathetically modernised so retains charm; there’s a number of discrete areas with banquettes, wallpaper, panelling, carpets etc and with a fire on the go for a dank drizzly January day it all felt rather cosy. I was also taken by the impressive stained glass flyover above the solid-looking mahogany bar. The illuminated twigs on the ceiling are a design mis-step though. The offering is aimed at a cross-section of punters and there were plenty of ladies in attendance. A plethora of cask, my Pictish Lubelski was in decent shape (NBSS 3.5), served-up by a polite, demure barmaid. I liked it here, another really strong pub in this unassuming town and shouldn’t be missed. GBG’23 listed and rightly so. 8.5

This is a large pub, popular with older gents at the time of my visit earlier this week. 12 hand pulls including at least one cider available - I think just one pull was out of service so that's a pretty decent offering. Sport was on the TVs but muted in favour of background music. Another pub I would be happy to recommend and make a return visit to if back in the area.