The Dover Lock Inn, Wigan

If you'd like a Guiness and a pizza by the canal with a warm welcome then this is the place for you. If you'd like real ale then it isn't.

Situated canalside to the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal,the word among the boating community is that this pub was worth a visit.The side entrance opens into a large open plan area with the bar to the right,while through an arch is a conservatory area popular with diners.In the drinking area,there were a couple of large banquettes and there was also a double aspect brick fireplace ,not operative on our lunchtime visit.However on a windy day thankfully the pubs central heating was working well.The wood floor ,flock wallpaper,flat screen,and wooden glad bar must have been the result of a large refurb which has resulted in few original features being retained in this Victorian building. Sadly no real ale available,not even a redundant handpump,and even the Guiness was only offered as extra cold and agitated by a vibrator devise by the tap.The barman was friendly enough ,and there is a downstairs pizzeria at the rear of the building. If you want pub grub and keg beer this may suit you,but I left the building feeling that a discerning boater may just as well drift past.