The Red Lion Inn

The Red Lion’s location in Whitworth, Rochdale is semi rather than fully rural but in terms of character and style, you can’t get much more ‘country pub’ than this. It’s got the cobblestone square outside, the roaring fire inside, the sleepy dogs by the bar, the sturdy British cooking. It has the history too, dating from the 17th century.

If you’re here for real ale, you won’t be disappointed; there are various local breweries represented at the bar. If you’re here for food, you’re in for a treat too, thanks to skilful cooking from a talented kitchen team led by relatively new owner Jack Barratt.

The Sunday roasts come recommended, and it’s well worth seeing what’s lighting up the specials board. Recent dishes have included pan-seared Cornish shark steak with garlic roast potatoes and tomato and chilli sauce. And locally caught pheasant breast and braised leg with garlic roast potatoes, honey glazed parsnip and a mushroom and brandy gravy. There’s homemade puddings of the sticky toffee kind too.

On weekends, they do breakfast from 10am-12pm, and there’s regular event nights – live music, themed parties and so on. This is a pub for the local community as much as the fresh air-seeking visitors from the city. (Though it’s often the smell of wood smoke that gets urbanites most excited in places like this.)