BURNLEY.

This multi-roomed corner pub is at the top of Burnley town just off the motorway and not too far from the Barracks railway station or the Moorhouses brewery. From the outside the pub looks a little daunting, but step inside and you are in Coronation Street territory with the banter that goes on between bar staff and the customers and I mean that in a nice way. The bar is to your left on entrance and serves up to three good beers - see right for the selection this time. All were served well, though woe betide you asking for the sparkler off or the 'soft Southerner' banter comes out. A 'games' room to the right is small (see pictures) and is where they play darts, watch TV and have the folk club gathering and any entertainment (usually Thursday). Both seating areas are carpeted and have round tables in the bar with stools and benches, square tables (motley assortment) and stools/benches in games room. Very much a local pub that has frequent beer festivals. The house bitter Massey's is brewed by Bass Museum to an old local recipe. Access for the disabled is possible though the toilets are not easy to negotiate as they have two doors and no disabled facilities. No accommodation here, but see box for local details.

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This pub resembles a shop front as you walk up to it. It is the only Lees outlet in East Lancashire and only serves Lees Bitter and no other ale at all. There are two areas/bars. The first is accessed through the main doors on to a bare floor with some booth type seating at the windows. The second bar is down a step towards the toilets. There now follows a warning. The clientele for this pubs changes throughout the day and the week. During the day it tend to be more mature customers lingering over a pint. In the evenings and on Sunday it attracts the local gay scene, you have been warned what to expect. However, no guide told me to expect to be served by a man who had more needle marks in his arm that my old aunt Edna's pin cushion. That was a shock and put me off my pint wondering where I had turned up. There is food served here at lunchtimes only, mainly to catch any shop/office workers who haven't gone to the local Wetherspoons on Manchester Road. At the end of the High Street, the Garden bar has an old fashioned feel to it and is worth a look if you fancy a Lees Bitter at a good price. Toilets are basic. No accommodation here.

This is the brewery tap for the Moorhouses brewery. A pretty innocuous place opposite a car showroom. A corner pub it is is at the top of town and just outside it not far from the motorway at all and Barracks station. You can also walk to the Coal Clough from here.

The Sparrow Hawk has built up a good reputation over many years for the quality of its food and service and is the best hotel in Burnley. There are two bars inside. The first is the award wining Old Sparrow Hawk Inn which retains a country pub atmosphere and specialises in traditional cask conditioned ales - up to 6. These come from small breweries all over the UK, Ireland and Belgium. The second is the Smithies Café-Bar, ideal as a meeting and eating place at any time of day. There is a slightly different beer policy to the bar: the best beers from the Caribbean, Asia and Europe and wines from around the world. The bar serves a wide range of well presented and tasty food available from 11am till late. The Inn which is extremely popular, offers a warm, welcoming and safe environment for both guests and locals alike. The weekend nights play host to a wide variety of entertainment and popular live acts; Thursday night is quiz night. The hotel of course doubles as a wedding venue and you can book out the Pendle Suite for 80 guests formally and up to 120 for buffets. Accommodation here all en-suite from single £39.50 - weekends, £53 weekdays, double, £53-£59.