Introduction

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), founded in 1971, is one of the most successful consumer organisations in the world. Our vision is to have quality real ale, cider andperry available to all. Bolton CAMRA Branch represents the Campaign in the Borough of Bolton. We are run by our members, all volunteers who promote real ale, cider and perry and campaign for drinkers across the town by:

● Maintaining details of pubs and clubs in the Branch Area on WhatPub
● Providing entries to CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide
● Campaigning against the closures of pubs and clubs
● Lobbying politicians
● Promoting our local breweries
● Presenting Pub and Club Awards
● Organising Bolton Beer and Cider Week
● Producing and distributing Bolton Beer Breaks magazine
● Developing local Pub Guides and Ale Trails
● Running regular social events
● Volunteering at local and national beer festivals

You can help by becoming a member. Or think aboutvolunteering, even a few minutes a week can help. Contact us to find out how or come along to our Branch Meetings. Most of all enjoy and celebrate your real ale, cider and perry!

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Branch Meeting

The next branch meeting is on Thursday 6th February at The Millstone, Bolton town centre at 8.00pm. All are welcome.

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Future Meetings

Thursday 6th March at The Spinning Mule, Bolton town centre at 8.00pm

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Branch Socials

All social events are now listed here

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Good Beer Guide 2026 Voting

The Good Beer Guide 2026 primary criteria is about selecting the Pubs and Clubs with the best quality of REAL ALE, so that members of the public and other CAMRA members know the best venues to visit.

This is NOT about voting for your favourite pub or the pub nearest to where you live.

The Bolton Branch has an allocation of 13 pubs and clubs to be selected from the nominated above average beerscoring 18 pubs listed below. Members should only vote for a maximum of 13 venues which, ideally, they should have visited during 2024/2025 and where they think the Real Ale quality merits inclusion in the 2026 Good Beer Guide.

Click here to find more details on how the Good Beer Guide pubs are selected.

The list of entries will be finalised at the Branch Meeting on Thursday 6th February at The Millstone, Bolton town centre, when members can vote in person if they prefer. 

The deadline for Online voting is Midnight on Monday 3rd February.

These are the pubs which have been shortlisted for entry into the Good Beer Guide 2026.

B33R@33, Horwich 33, Lee Lane, Horwich, BL6 7AX
Bank Top Brewery Ale House, Horwich 36 Church Street, Horwich BL6 6AD
Bank Top Brewery Tap, Astley Bridge 68-70 Belmont Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton, BL1 7AN
Beer School, Westhoughton 88, Market Street, Westhoughton BL5 3AZ
Blackedge Brewery Bar, Horwich, Moreton Mill, Hampson Street, Horwich BL6 7JH
Blackedge Brewery Tap, Westhoughton, 55 Market St, Westhoughton BL5 3AG
Bunbury’s, Bolton  397, Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 6AH
Crown, Horwich 1 Chorley New Road, Horwich, BL6 7QJ
House Without a Name, Harwood 75 Lea Gate, Harwood, BL2 3ET
Kings Arms Hotel, Farnworth 2 Mossfield Road, Farnworth, BL4 0AB
King’s Head, Deane 52/54 Junction Road, Deane, Bolton, BL3 4NA
Nook & Cranny, Bromley Cross 211/213 Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, BL7 9B
Nook & Cranny Tap House, Harwood 12, Gate Fold, Harwood, BL2 3HN
Northern Monkey Bar, Bolton Nelson Square, Bolton BL1 1AQ
One For The Road, Bolton Stalls F14 to F15 Ashburner Street Lifestyle Hall, Bolton, BL1 1TJ
Stork Tavern, Bolton 548 Halliwell Road, Bolton, BL1 8BP
Thomas Egerton, Egerton 272 Blackburn Road, Egerton, Bromley Cross BL7 9SR
Bolton Ukrainian Social Club 99, Castle Street, Bolton, BL2 1JP

Online voting can be done on the Members page here

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Pub of the Season Winter 2024/25

We are now taking votes for the Winter Pub of the Season 2024/25.

These are the 3 pubs which have been nominated

Blackedge Brewery Bar, Horwich, Moreton Mill, Hampson Street, Horwich BL6 7JH
House Without a Name, Harwood 75 Lea Gate, Harwood, BL2 3ET
Stork Tavern, Bolton 548 Halliwell Road, Bolton, BL1 8BP

Please try to visit all of the nominated pubs before voting.

Voting can either be done online or in the Branch meeting on Thursday 6th February at The Millstone, Bolton town centre.
Only one vote is permitted.
The deadline for online voting is midnight on Wednesday 5th February.
Online voting can be done on the Members page here

Winter Criteria

Criteria to consider are

  • Consistent quality of real ale and/or real cider – the single most important factor
  • Prompt, efficient, friendly service and welcome
  • A diverse mix of clientele where everyone feels welcome
  • Good standard of decor
  • Real ale and/or real cider is promoted
  • Value for money – have you had a good experience for the money spent?
  • Seasonality – is it a comfortable place to visit and to drink in the cold and dark winter months?  does it make an effort to serve winter beers such as stouts or barley wines.  

Please read the guidelines here prior to submitting your vote.

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Framed Pump Clips For Sale

CAMRA Bolton Branch have For Sale a selection of Framed Pump Clips. Full details are available here in the Members area