Ramsden Arms, Blackpool

Afraid it seen better days it tierd and needs some love called in for the first time in 10 years can remember this as a very busy pub just me and the wife and 4 others 8pm Thursday night

This is a huge mock Tudor style pub, situated next to a series of new construction projects, which made reaching the front door from the nearby Blackpool North station, a whole lot trickier than it should have been. The pub has probably seen better days, as it has a rather run-down feel to it, but having said that, it was apparently the headquarters of the Blackpool Muckers (a local football hooligan group) back in the 1970’s, so the past isn’t all rose-tinted. The rather flat atmosphere that greeted my Saturday lunchtime visit was offset by the interesting building which retains plenty of pleasing features. You enter through a nice tiled porch into an attractively panelled ante-room before reaching the vast carpeted main bar. This large space has the servery positioned in an L shape along the right hand side with banquette and standard seating opposite and a huge amount of vertical drinking space in between. The panelling is abundant and whilst it’s difficult to make such a huge room feel cosy, a lit fireplace at least went some way to remedying the situation. The décor in this part of the pub consists mostly of various brass items including salvers, horse brasses, shields and a number of plaques with amusing slogans etched onto them. A large collection of jugs and tankards hang around the room and a TV on the rear wall was entertaining the four or five other customers with the afternoon’s early kick-off. At the front of the room there are two considerably cosier recesses. One of them was fitted with a long U shaped banquette, a nice fireplace and a TV screen which remained off throughout my stay. Bell pushes can still be found behind the banquettes and the walls have been decorated with deer heads, items of porcelain, lots of photos of the Royal Family and some unusual wall panels with decorative images painted on them. The second recess housed a pool table, juke box, collection of sporting trophies, more jugs and tankards and a similar fireplace to the other recess. Two steps lead up to a tiled rear bar with more of that wood panelling, a second pool table and some mixed seating options. A few punters decided to grab some food here and were able to choose from burgers and toasted sandwiches. Three handpulls were in operation, dispensing Tetley’s Cask, Marston’s Pedigree and Old Rosie cider. I opted for a pint of the Pedigree at £3.60 for a pint, which struck me as a bit pricey for the area, but thankfully it was in pretty good shape. The staff seemed like a nice bunch and it was a shame that the place was pretty dead when I visited. This pub’s proximity to the train station makes it relatively easy to incorporate a visit, and this fact, coupled with the interesting interior, means that it’s worth overlooking the limited ale range to give it a try when in town.

Large roadside pub near North station and the new car parks and shops going up (presumably the square block above Wilkos wasn't enough.Its in a rather isolated position where roads rule. The interior also feels a bit neglected and theres a distinct musty smell, but this does give it an old fashioned look in a nice sense. Lots of royal photographs, wood panelling, stuffed animals, brasses, an ecclectic mix. Not over friendly and I got a short measure but its a nice enough place. 2 real ales which were ok.

Called in last week as it is a 2012 Good Beer Guide pub and close to the station where we had been to. It is a comfy traditional pub, clean and tidy with a good atmosphere. Greatr to settle down beside a real fire on a chillky February day. High shelf adorned with mugs and jugs. Woodwork above the seating had horsebrasses. Chose a couple of beers from the 3 available, Lancaster brewery Blonde and Red were very good. The 14 bus also runs close to the pub.

Imposing, traditional pub in the 'brewers Tudor' style, located close to Blackpool North railway station. Good atmosphere, with plenty of original features and memorabilia to look at. Five handpumps, offering a decent selection of real ales such as the World Cup special 4-4-2 at a very reasonable £2.05. Has a plaque indicating that it is (or perhaps was?) a Tetley Heritage Pub.