The Heatons Bridge, Scarisbrick

The Heatons Bridge, Scarisbrick

Many years ago, I used to come out to this canalside pub to admire the view and enjoy the Walkers Bitter. That particular beer is long gone, but fortunately the Heatons Bridge is still there. It has a car park, an outside drinking area and an outdoor play area for young children. Inside, the pub hasn't changed a great deal. It has several separate drinking areas, and the front rooms retain some lovely old coloured glass windows with the names 'Tetley' and 'Heatons Bridge'.

The real ales: Tetley Bitter and Moorhouse's Black Cat Mild are always on, and when we called George Wright Valentine Kiss and Moorhouse's Clown Juice were available. The latter is brewed specially for the pub. Other changing beers include Moorhouse's Pill Box (also brewed for the pub) and beers from Crosby's Rock The Boat Brewery. We all enjoyed the beers we tried. The pub is deservedly in the Good Beer Guide, and is currently local CAMRA's Country Pub of the Year.

The cosy front room

Food is served from Wednesday to Saturday between midday and 2.00pm, and 5.30pm to 7.30pm, and midday to 4.00pm on Sunday. Children and dogs are welcome, and there's free Wi-Fi. Tuesday is quiz night, and the first Wednesday of the month is motor bike night. The railway travellers group OPSTA meets there every few weeks.

Outside the pub is a Second World War pillbox, placed there in case Hitler invaded the west coast and used the canal system for transport. This has prompted a military club to meet every second Thursday of the month, and twice a year military themed weekends, with enthusiasts in uniform and dozens of military vehicles from various periods. The next weekend is on 23/24 April and the following one in October. These rallies are open to the public.

The Heatons Bridge is on the B5242, and the 375 bus stops right outside. The address is 2 Heatons Bridge Road, Scarisbrick, L40 8JG. 
Phone: 01704 840549.

This is part of a series of articles that I am writing for the CAMRA column in our local paper, the Southport Visiter. Previous reviews are here.