Smashing Pubs in Todmorden
Barearts Beer Shop & Gallery
The Pub: Not really a pub, more of an off-licence with occasional live entertainment and the opportunity to try beer before you buy. Trevor and Kathryn Cook opened the shop and gallery in 2005 as an outlet to sell Kathy's paintings and their Barearts Beer, which is brewed just up the road.
The Beer: Barearts only sell bottled beer, but this means that there are usually between 15 and 20 available to try. They are all bottle-conditioned and triple-dropped. Trevor and Kathy are friendly hosts, happy to chat to you about their work.
And what else we like here: The gallery is dedictaed to the nude and all the work on display is available to buy. Trevor and Kathy now offer local cheese and pickles etc to complement their beer.
More info: Barearts Beershop and Gallery, 108-110 Rochdale Road, Todmorden, OL14 7LP; 01706 839305
www.barearts.com; t: @BareartsBrewery
The Pub: Not really a pub, more of an off-licence with occasional live entertainment and the opportunity to try beer before you buy. Trevor and Kathryn Cook opened the shop and gallery in 2005 as an outlet to sell Kathy's paintings and their Barearts Beer, which is brewed just up the road.
The Beer: Barearts only sell bottled beer, but this means that there are usually between 15 and 20 available to try. They are all bottle-conditioned and triple-dropped. Trevor and Kathy are friendly hosts, happy to chat to you about their work.
And what else we like here: The gallery is dedictaed to the nude and all the work on display is available to buy. Trevor and Kathy now offer local cheese and pickles etc to complement their beer.
More info: Barearts Beershop and Gallery, 108-110 Rochdale Road, Todmorden, OL14 7LP; 01706 839305
www.barearts.com; t: @BareartsBrewery
The Masons Arms
The Pub: The Masons Arms is an independent pub with its heart lodged firmly in the local community. The building has an interesting history: the tables in the tap room are old
mortuary slabs once used for laying out the bodies of navvies engaged in the
building of the nearby viaduct.
The Beer: A selection of five real ales are always available- at time of writing this entry, the range included beer from Goose Eye, Elland, Moorhouses and Empire.
And what else we like here: The pubs's proximity to the Pennine Way and Rochdale Canal make it a great stop off for walkers. Dogs are welcome. Real fires, books, games and a vinyl jukebox offer a homely feel. Food is available at weekends - call ahead for times. Wednesday is quiz night - participants are treated to free food, so get yourself a team together.
More info: The Masons Arms, Bacup Road, Todmorden, OL14 7PN; 01706 812180
fb: Masons Arms Todmorden
The Pub: The Masons Arms is an independent pub with its heart lodged firmly in the local community. The building has an interesting history: the tables in the tap room are old
mortuary slabs once used for laying out the bodies of navvies engaged in the
building of the nearby viaduct.
The Beer: A selection of five real ales are always available- at time of writing this entry, the range included beer from Goose Eye, Elland, Moorhouses and Empire.
And what else we like here: The pubs's proximity to the Pennine Way and Rochdale Canal make it a great stop off for walkers. Dogs are welcome. Real fires, books, games and a vinyl jukebox offer a homely feel. Food is available at weekends - call ahead for times. Wednesday is quiz night - participants are treated to free food, so get yourself a team together.
More info: The Masons Arms, Bacup Road, Todmorden, OL14 7PN; 01706 812180
fb: Masons Arms Todmorden
The Staff of Life Inn
The Pub: The Staff of Life nestles beneath the dramatic Eagles Crag in a steep-sided valley on the outskirts of Todmorden. Owner Tim Fritchley is no stranger to the pub, having co-owned it once before in the 1980s. Now he has returned with wife Kate to make it an establishment renowned for good food, good beer and a warm welcome.
The Beer: Timothy Taylor is a regular, but there are also three rotating guest beers from breweries such as Phoenix, Elland, Little Valley, Slightly Foxed and Goose Eye.
And what else we like here: There are photographs of local landscapes on the walls and a changing exhibition of local artwork for sale. Food is also sourced as locally as possible, with sausages coming from nearby Porcus and salads from Incredible Edible Todmorden planting. The Staff of Life also participates in the Bee Incredible campaign, housing a hive in the garden area.
More info: The Staff of Life Inn, 550 Burnley Road, Todmorden, OL14 8JF; 01706 819033
www.staffoflifeinn.org.uk; t: @staffoflifeinn
The Pub: The Staff of Life nestles beneath the dramatic Eagles Crag in a steep-sided valley on the outskirts of Todmorden. Owner Tim Fritchley is no stranger to the pub, having co-owned it once before in the 1980s. Now he has returned with wife Kate to make it an establishment renowned for good food, good beer and a warm welcome.
The Beer: Timothy Taylor is a regular, but there are also three rotating guest beers from breweries such as Phoenix, Elland, Little Valley, Slightly Foxed and Goose Eye.
And what else we like here: There are photographs of local landscapes on the walls and a changing exhibition of local artwork for sale. Food is also sourced as locally as possible, with sausages coming from nearby Porcus and salads from Incredible Edible Todmorden planting. The Staff of Life also participates in the Bee Incredible campaign, housing a hive in the garden area.
More info: The Staff of Life Inn, 550 Burnley Road, Todmorden, OL14 8JF; 01706 819033
www.staffoflifeinn.org.uk; t: @staffoflifeinn