Arden Arms, Stockport

The Arden Arms is a Robinsons tied house in Stockport town centre,i had a drink of Robinsons bitter. Pub visited 18 march 1989.

For me the Arden Arms didn’t really live up to the hype. It’s a pretty plain exterior but the interior is quite impressive. We weren’t able to look around the whole pub as much of it was being used as dining rooms and there does seem to be a big focus on food. We were asked a couple of times while waiting for a pint if we were going to be eating, almost as if it made us second class customers if we weren’t. There’s a pleasant outside seating area with decking and a shelter from the wind and rain. A good range of Robinsons beers although the pumps are behind the bar as opposed to on the bar so make sure you take a good look to spot them all.

A genuine classic; RogerB has highlighted many of the interior features including the snug - only accessible thru the bar (one suspects that may be just for the inner circle, haha), but note also the lovely rounded wooden sash-work windows around the bar, and black/white floor tiles. Very popular for food, and starts filling with diners almost from opening time (12:00), includes good-looking specials menu at ~£8.00. The handpumps are on the rear wall of the bar, dispensing Robinsons in top condition. If the pub is very busy the bar area can be a little congested and make the route to the loo something of a ‘corridor’, but this a small price to pay for retention of originality in a great pub.

This classic pub is on the CAMRA Inventory for historic and unique pub interiors and is well worth a detour to visit. Situated down the hill from the Old Market and round the back of Asda's it doesn't look particularly enticing from the outside, just a plain brick turn of the century corner pub. The interior is however a bit special. Divided into several rooms each with its own character including one that can only be accessed by going through the bar itself although I wasn't brave enough to march through to get there. The bar itself resembles an old shop front with a partly glazed service area and serving hatches to the bars eitehr side. To the right of the bar is a small plain public bar with dart board, various board games and a basic widescreen TV. Various old pictures on the wall include one of the pub itself that confirms that little, if anything, has changed over the years. Note the old calling bells dotted about behind the seats (not sure if they still work). At the opposite end of the pub is the large Millfield Room which is actually 2 rooms with dividing doors that can separate the room when necessary. The room houses an impressive old grandfather clock, plenty of old pictures and mirrors and original fireplaces. Note the numbered doors, part of the original licensing laws where all rooms in a pub had to be numbered and listed for their purpose. In the area by the bar are some more interesting pictures including a contorted view of the interior and its customers. Several certificates have been warded for its beers and interior and these adorn the walls. The beers come from the local Robinsons brewery a few hundred yards down the road, usually 3 on pump. Outside is a small open air lobby that it probably best left for the smokers but to the rear is a large courtyard with several benches and stable outbuildings largely intact from its old coaching inn days. An absolute treat and a must visit pub for anyone in the area.