The White Lion Inn, Skelmersdale

the old fashioned interior has now completely gone, replaced by an ultra bright, ultra modern wine bar refit that no longer feels like a pub at all (In my opinion). Still owned by Thwaites and still selling their humdrum real ales. It will probably do very well but it's not to my taste and I don't think it fits in its historic village location.

This place has appranently had a bit of an open/shut spell over the last couple of years which is a shame as it certainly doesn’t come over as having any specific failings. The carpeted interior is quite old fashioned and split virtually into quarters with 4 similar sized rooms and the bar sandwiched in on one side. There are many original features, notably the old fireplaces and you get the impression that time doesn’t move too quickly here. The front right room is of particular note with its quaint granny’s living room feel, its own service hatch and some call bells. One of the rear sections contains a darts area and what I would consider the main bar area being quite appealing albeit the Saturday night Karaoke being set up on our visist curtailed what may have been a longer session than it would have been without it. There were 2 Thwaites ales available, Original and Wainwright, which were perfectly decent in both price and quality. My only reason for visiting was that we have friends in the area so we do occasionally “do the rounds” and this is certainly one of the above average pubs in the immediate area and I would have no problems with a return visit, if it’s still there.