Bolton Beer & Cider Week
Bolton CAMRA holds votes amongst its members several times a year for pub awards. Current Pub of the Season holders are featured below, and we are working on an archive of previous winners, which we hope to put online shortly. Pub of the Year winners can be found here
Winter Pub of the Season 2019/20
Nelson Square
Bolton
BL1 1AQ
This brew pub was set up by Northern Monkey. This brewery is run by two proud Boltonians. They renovated the bar from its previous use as a restaurant. The space was once part of the Pack Horse Hotel, historically the place where the classiest visitors to the town stayed but are now student residences. The brewers decided to create a destination bar which also serves as the brewery. They use the bar to showcase local craft beers and also to run community events promoting the town such as a monthly artisan market and regular comedy nights.
Read more on Whatpub.
Summer Pub of the Season 2019
88, Market Street
Westhoughton
BL5 3AZ
A Micropub that is decked out to look like a school, though you don’t have to wear school uniform to attend! There is a wall with library wallpaper – showing shelves of books, many tables and stools that will take you back to your old art room days complete with a free standing roller blackboard.
Read more on Whatpub.
Spring Pub of the Season 2019
606 Halliwell Road
Bolton
BL1 8BY
A large landmark pub at the junction of Halliwell Road and just off the ring road. It is named after the Ainsworth family, who made their wealth from bleaching and were owners of the nearby historic Smithills Hall during the 1800’s.
Read more on Whatpub.
Winter Pub of the Season 2018/19
(formerly known as Great Ale at the Market)
Stalls F14 to F15 Ashburner Street Lifestyle Hall,
Bolton
BL1 1TJ
This bar opened to coincide with the redevelopment of Bolton’s award-winning indoor market in 2014. It quickly became a magnet for real ale fans across the town. The three handpumps serve an ever-changing range from some of the finest breweries in the north-west and beyond.
Read more on Whatpub.
Autumn Pub of the Season 2018
2 Mossfield Road
Farnworth
BL4 0AB
A justifiably popular local with a modern, friendly feel that offers something for everyone. The pub usually serves beers from various well-regarded breweries such as Blackjack, Ilkley, Dark Star, Elland, Thornbridge and Cross Bay. Read more on Whatpub.
Summer Pub of the Season 2018
6-8 Churchgate
Bolton, BL1 1HL
The pub is reputedly the 4th oldest in the country and sits near the Parish Church on the historic Churchgate, site of a famous Civil War execution. The pub serves 2 regular beers – Bank Top Flat Cap and Hop Back Summer Lightning. There are also 2 changing beers and a range of ciders. Read more on Whatpub.
Spring Pub of the Season 2018
143 Deansgate
Bolton
BL1 1EX
The Hen and Chickens has long been one of the most pleasant and popular of town centre pubs. The smart exterior and colourful floral displays brighten up this end of Deansgate.
The cask ales are only partly tied to Punch Taverns list so you can expect some of the beers to be from a range of mainly small breweries. More details on Whatpub.
Winter Pub of the Season 2017/18
Vaults Below Market Place
Bolton
BL1 2AL
Located in one of the arches in the lower Market Place Vaults this atmospheric bar is accessed via either of the two escalators, the lift or the new entrance with steps from Bridge Street opposite Argos.
The long bar has four handpumps serving three guest beers and one specially brewed ale for the Vaults by Outstanding Brewery using Australian Hops.
Autumn Pub of the Season 2017
Beer School
88, Market Street
Westhoughton
BL5 3AZ
A Micropub that is decked out to look like a school, the Beer School serves 4 changing ales. Expect choice of beers from Blackedge, Northern Monkey,Hophurst, Rivington, Wily Fox,Ticketybrew, Doghouse, Dan’s Brewery amongst others.
Autumn Pub of the Season 2016
Bank Top Brewery Tap
68-70 Belmont Road, Astley Bridge
Bolton
BL1 7AN
With eight cask beers on the bar, as well as up to six real ciders, this ever-popular pub was voted Autumn Pub of the Season 2016 by Bolton CAMRA members.
Full pub details, along with those of all Bolton pubs, are available on Whatpub
Winter Pub of the Season 2016/17
Bank Top Brewery Ale House
36 Church Street
Horwich
BL6 6AD
Bank Top Estates opened the pub in 2014 after an extensive refurbishment and it became the epitome of a traditional pub with a modern feel. The staff pride themselves on quality service and on their knowledge of the cask beers and real ciders. Eight handpumps showcase real ale from the ever-popular Bank Top range and always including Dark Mild, former Champion Mild of Britain. Full details of ales on offer can be seen on Whatpub
Spring Pub of the Season 2017
House Without a Name
75 Lea Gate
Harwood
BL2 3ET
A very popular choice for the Spring Pub of the Season award, the ‘No Name’ keeps two regular beers from the Punch List and four guest beers of the landlords choice, these are generally from local and regional breweries. For full details of the offerings at the No Name, take a look at Whatpub.
Summer Pub of the Season 2017
Masons Arms
156/158 Blackburn Road, Egerton
Bromley Cross
BL7 9SB
This well-run friendly local is a deserved winner of the Summer 2017 Pub of the season award. The pub offers 2 regular beers and 2 changing beers; and being on the No.1 Bus route from Bolton is well worth the effort to visit. More details can be found on Whatpub.