Worsley Old Hall, Worsley, Manchester

Logging my second visit as a separate review, as it was a completely different experience. I was out cycling with my son during the summer holidays and decided to call in at Worsley Old Hall, and as it was a nice day, decided to take advantage of the large sunny beer garden. We found a vacant table, propped our bikes up against it and then went in to get drinks. The ale selection had changed since my earlier visit and on this occasion I went for Rail Replacement Service by Farm Yard Brew Co. This was OK, although a little on the warm side. On returning to our table with the drinks, a security guy approached us and asked us to move our bikes away from the table - despite another customer only a few tables away having their bikes against their table. We had to move them to a railing which wasn't really an issue as we could see our bikes from where we were sat, but it was some distance away from the table so it did feel a bit uncomfortable. There is a long list of rules on a chalkboard in the garden and it makes no mention of bikes. The fact that an older couple were allowed to keep theirs by their table while we were made to move ours left us feeling annoyed and I felt the jobsworth security guy could have handled the situation better. He was over zealous, the rule is pointless and demonstrated to me that the place is up itself and is more interested in keeping a uniform look within the garden than it is keeping their customers happy. I can't see me coming back after that as it ruined our experience, which is a shame as I had been looking forward to taking my son there. In case anyone thinks I am overreacting, two other tables approached me and asked why I'd had to move the bikes when the other couple had theirs at their table, and they seemed to believe it was as unjust as I did.

I was pleased to visit Worsley Old Hall back in August, as this place has been on my radar for a while. First impressions are that this is an impressive old building accessed via a grand old drive. On entering I found 7 hand pulls for cask, all of which were on, offering Moorhouses Biscuit Barrel, Squawk Pavo, Brew York Duality, Facers Brindley Blonde, Brunning & Price Original Bitter, Beartown Kodiak and TT Boltmaker. My visit was on a Friday at around 2pm and it was pretty busy - I only ventured into the front bar area but presumably there is a lot more seating, albeit potentially being more geared up for diners than casual drinkers. The Biscuit Barrel was pleasant enough but unexciting; the Duality was hoppy but watery, just felt a bit lacklustre. I was struggling to tell if it wasn't in great nick, or just isn't a very good beer. Two halves set me back £5.75 so I concluded it is a premium place with prices to match! It is dog friendly, child friendly and there is a grand old fireplace with grand old mirror above. Portions looked decent from the meals I saw being brought out to other customers. It is a black hole for mobile signal indoors and I didn't see any Wi-Fi advertised. In addition to the cask line-up, I observed five keg options listed on a chalk board - nothing too wild but mainstream craft rather than completely dull - Innis & Gunn, Shindigger, Tiny Rebel etc. I also spotted more mainstream options on the taps, such as Guinness, Peroni, Madri and Asahi. I enjoyed this visit and was pleased to find so many ales to choose from, even if I was not wowed by what I received.

Official site of Worsley Old Hall - www.brunningandprice.co.uk

Brunning & Price pub / restaurant in a fine old hall in the local 'Lancashire Magpie' style (reminiscent of 'Brewer's Tudor', but in this case seeming much more historic) set in country club surroundings. Many seating and dining areas in various rooms around the central bar, some half or fully wood-panelled, and all richly furnished. Two banks of seven handpumps, offering the 'house' Original Bitter, Facer's Brindley Blonde, Phoenix White Tornado, Howard Town Super Fortress (£3.70), Seven Brothers Stout Porter, Millstone Tiger Rut, Lytham Pilsner Radler and Lily the Pink cider. Overall, much better than I was expecting and well worth a visit.

Official site of Worsley Old Hall - www.brunningandprice.co.uk