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Detail Pages
The Ashton Arms, Oldham
Oldham
OL1 1PL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Ashton Arms
A brick built terrace building, inside is a mid sized square room on two levels reflecting the topography of the location. The lower level is given over to table and chair seating while the upper to the right has the brick built counter plus some banquette seating, a pair of sofas and what appears to be a dog cage. There are screens in all areas. The potted history of the pub is painted on a beam separating the two levels, but it’s minimal decor otherwise and it has a slightly tatty ambiance. No standing at the bar is allowed. Five pulls with two local brews (Pictish and Stockport), a Saltaire, a Goose Eye and a CAMRA approved cider, a couple of T -bars and solos complete the line up. Beer quality was up to scratch, it’s GBG2024 listed and it only took cash today but that may not be standard as WhatPub doesn’t mention it.
On 27th March 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Ashton Arms
The interesting thing about this pub is the time line of the pubs history, which can be seen along the top of the wall opposite the front bar counter. The various dates and info has been professionally sign written and really looks the part.
The first entry is July 1868 when a Mr Partington is granted a Licence for the Bricklayers Arms. 1985 Sylvia & Micheal Diggle purchase the pub from Bass. 1991 the pub doubles in size incorporating the house next door etc.
Five handpumps with four in use serving Settle Brewery Jericho Blonde, Pictish Brewers Gold, Pictish Porter and Saltaire North Landing. The prices were very reasonable and beer quality was excellent.
On 27th February 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Ashton Arms
Paid another visit back in January but just realised I neglected to leave an updated review. My last visit before this had been back in 2019.
At the time of my visit I found four cask ales available, one or two unused pulls, and one additional for real cider. My visit was on a Tuesday lunchtime and it was busy.
The Ashton Arms has had a bit of a spruce up since I was last in here but without changing the character - nothing too wild but a new carpet and a lick of paint, and the rather dodgy dip in the floor outside the gents toilets has been sorted.
I had a half of JPA by Portobello and that set me back £1.55.
Food is still served and main dishes are now £6 so still great value for those choosing to dine.
On 23rd March 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Ashton Arms
GBG’23 listed and the only Oldham pub I’d heard of prior to jumping off the tram. A dull interior on two levels, done-out in a blueish grey colour scheme, yuk. Another town centre pub that was rammed with punters and a genial atmosphere prevailed. However it meant that the only space I could find was a teeny table next to the coat hooks – first world problems. Six pumps with four dispensing, my Holts Two Hoots was in decent nick (NBSS 3). Mention is made elsewhere of continental beers and ciders though in the scrum I didn’t get chance to note them. Whilst I didn’t warm to the interior, it was certainly a good place to knock back a half and I’d certainly check-in again should I ever find myself back in Oldham and it’s very close to the Metro too.
On 18th March 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Ashton Arms
I visited the much lauded Ashton Arms on a recent Thursday evening and was surprised to find an almost empty pub. There is seating in the street level left hand side and steps to the right lead up to a couple more tables and the bar counter on the right wall. A muted television was showing Arsenal in the Europa League on BT Sport. The bar counter supports standard keg and two banks of three handpumps. I went for a pint of Izaak Walton Woolly Bugger, which turned out to be an excellent porter. Two of the handpumps were unused and because there is no standing at the bar I was unable to read what the other three cask options were. The barman was polite, but he was sat on the sofa opposite the bar on his phone for the duration of my visit. This is a cash only pub. Yes it was a great pint, but I have to admit that I was expecting more from this place.
On 20th October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5254 recommendations about 5222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Ashton Arms
This is probably the best pub in Oldham for real ale. There is always a decent selection on with varying styles, and usually a cider or two too. Ales and ciders are listed on a chalk board above the bar. Very reasonably priced at around the £2.50 a pint mark. The selection is constantly changing, so for a semi frequent visitor to Oldham like myself it means there is always something new on when I next get chance to call in.
Meals are available and looking at the menu it appears to be your proper old school pub grub stuff and very reasonably priced - cooked meals all under £5. I have only ever seen one person eating in here, it is more of a drinkers' pub as has previously been mentioned.
The pub itself is a bit worn down, some might say shabby, but I think that adds to its charm. It feels like a proper boozer.
On 4th January 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Haslam left this review about The Ashton Arms
Totally agree with every review about this gem of a pub.Bar staff very friendly and locals will always chat to you.Amazing selection of real ales and cider on offer make this pub the best in Oldham by a country mile.
On 29th June 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 10 recommendations about 9 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alive Pants left this review about The Ashton Arms
Its like the Tardis as its quite big inside from a small looking outside .It's a big well lit room with several real ales on, bar staff appeared friendly and helped me choose one, good place for chatting as no music on, no fruit machine ,quiz machine or pool table, just a tv on silent with sky sports on. No food other than sandwiches according to the bar staff when I went in but it's more of a drinkers pub than an eatery , we toured 6 pubs that day and this in my opinion was by far the best, will defo go in when next out with the Mrs
On 1st November 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8 recommendations about 8 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Ashton Arms
A lovely little pub just up a road from the Metrotram station. 8 handpumps of which sadly only 4 were on on this visit. A list of all the guest ales they've had is written on a number of blackboards by the bar. Outside beer garden to the rear.
On 12th August 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Ashton Arms
Had 3 in here last night, all in excellent condition. As usual in here I got talking to someone at the bar about all things beerish. It's a cracking pub and is the best pub in Oldham, no matter what the local CAMRA branch have voted for.
15/04/2013
Called in yet again after Oldham Beer Festival on Saturday. 7 handpumps, all on the go and the three we tried were all in top condition. It's by far the best real ale pub in Oldham and has just been voted as such by CAMRA.
05/06/2011
Called in again during a pub crawl through Oldham (just to prove to myself how bad it still is). This pub stands head and shoulders above the rest of the pubs in the area. It's a basic boozer right in the town centre, but just off the main drag (Yorkshire Street). There's always a friendly welcome and you can always get talking to someone at the bar. As for the beer, well it's still top notch.
29/04/2010
Best pub in Oldham town centre by a street length. 5 guest ales usually a real cider, friendly welcome. Gives away free food during Oldham Beer festival. If you only have time to visit one pub in Oldham make it this one. If you have more time then stay here! They've just been voted Rochdale, Oldham & Bury Pub Of The Year 2010. I don't think it's been announced yet (it has now), but I was at the meeting.
On 29th March 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]