Shepherds' Hall Ale House, Chorley

Corner bar with one small bar labelled “The Taproom” and a larger dining/eating area next door separated by a spine wall although with a hatch affair and rear corridor between them. Five pulls and the usual pub accoutrements in the taproom with a mix of beers from smaller breweries such as Tiny Rebel, Front Row etc. There are some kegs taps in the dining area. A fair bit of Victorian interior remains but there was a bit of an agricultural smell in parts of the taproom.

Chorley's first micropub is situated conveniently for the town's bus and rail stations. It's also very close to the market place at the centre. It is quite a large single room, with a variety of seating. 5 real ales and 2 real ciders are served. These were Theakston Old Peculier, Dancing Duck Dark Drake, Vocation Heart & Soul, Bass, Martland Mill Knocker Upper, Thistly Cross Whisky Cask & SeaCider Strawberry Cider. Toilets were clean and service was friendly and knowledgeable.

Old-school (if one's horizons are short) micro-pub, with a compact bar area featuring as much furniture as they can fit in during these coronavirus restriction times. The compact bar counter in one corner is home to five handpumps, with a fair selection of beers from smaller breweries, and I went for the Seen Red (£3.40) - one of a pair from Front Row.

One room micro although bigger than some. Bar to right rear. One IPA over 5% ABV, the rest of the six (in total) hand pumps under 4.5% ABV. Not a bad place just over the road from the Ale Station.