The Cross House Inn, Formby

The Cross House Inn

It has been years since I visited this pub and, to be honest, I couldn't remember what it was like inside. It has been refurbished in recent years and may have been different last time I was in. I was pleasantly surprised, and here is what I wrote for the local paper:

Formby's Cross House Inn stands prominently facing a local landmark: a roundabout with a Grade II listed stone cross. The pub itself has five separate areas all served by a long bar, and extensive wood panelling creates an old-style atmosphere. On the bar were six real ales: Morland Old Speckled Hen; Salopian Lemon Dream; Greene King Abbott; Greene King IPA: Rock The Boat Bootle Bull; and Salamander Ruffled Feathers Blond Bitter. The three beers I had were all in good condition; my favourite was the Lemon Dream.

There were also five real ciders: Black Dragon; Devon Mist; Rosie Pigg; Lilley's Apples & Pears; and Lilley's Sunset. The guest beers change regularly and tend to come from local breweries. Other drinks include a good wine selection, a choice of gins, and a range of coffees.

When I visited, there were quite a few people enjoying the reasonably-priced food, which is served every day until 10.00pm; there are also Sunday roast and children's menus. However the pub isn't just about a food, and the bar areas were busy with customers who had just come in for a few drinks. Dogs are permitted in the bar area.

Every Monday all cask ales are £2.50. Monday to Thursday is the Golden Years menu. Every Wednesday, curry banquet. Thursday evening is quiz night, and on Fizz Friday you can buy two glasses of Prosecco for £5. Live music features on the last Saturday of the month. There are several TV screens around the pub for sport, but the sound was off when I was there. They are holding a Hallowe'en children's party on Sunday 30 October in the afternoon.

There is extensive outdoor seating, including a covered balcony, and a large car park. The Cross House is about half a mile from Formby Station, but buses stop right outside, including the X2 and 47 Liverpool to Southport services. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 11.00 to 23.00; Friday 11.00 to 00.00; Saturday 10.00 to 00.00; Sunday 10.00 to 23.00. They are on Facebook. Address: Three Tuns Lane, Cross Green, Formby L37 4BH. Phone: 01704 873775.

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.