THERE are thousands of pubs around the UK – but if you want to enjoy a pint and bite to eat in the very best, head to Eccles.
The Queens Arms, which is also the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway pub, has just been declared the top boozer in the country.
The accolade comes from the Good Food Guide which created the ranking from 20,000 reader nominations.
While The Queens Arms might look like a traditional British pub from the outside, don’t expect any pie and mash here.
Instead, it has a Japanese izakaya-style menu serving up katsu, noodle bowls, eel and wagyu burgers.
It was praised by Good Food Guide for its ‘unexpected’ blend of culture and that proves to be popular with visitors too.
On Tripadvisor, one punter called it an ‘old fashioned relaxed traditional pub with a Japanese twist’.
Others called it a ‘gem of a place’ – lots praised the food too, especially ‘light and crispy’ tempura battered prawns and crab.
Despite its Japanese menu, the Grade-II listed pub still retains lots of its original features like fireplaces, bar fittings and booth seats.
For anyone who still wants a more traditional experience, there’s also a drinking den which has a dartboard and draught beers.
Historically, the pub was named The Patricroft Tavern – it opened in 1828 aligning with the launch of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway.
According to history, Eccles cakes and beer were even sold to passengers, but this had to stop eventually because it was delaying the trains.
It was a busy hub for passengers for years and it’s rumoured that Queen Victoria even stepped inside a few times.
This was reportedly the reason as to why the pub was renamed The Queens Arms later on.
As for where you’ll find, it the boozer is in Eccles, Greater Manchester
The town shares its name with the well-known Eccles cake, a flaky pastry filled with currants and mixed spices.
These were first sold in Eccles back in 1796 and consequently, the cakes were named after the town.
So one must-do for any visitor is to pop into one of its cafes to try one of the baked goodies.
Lots of the independent cafes are found on Monton Road including Playfoots Cafe and Bar, Oats & Honey, and Monton Village Bakery.
Another popular activity in Eccles is a stroll or cycle along the waterfront.
The Bridgewater Canal which connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh runs through the town of Eccles and there are lots of trails beside it.
The nearest train stop to The Queens Arms is Patricroft, which is also just 17-minutes away from Manchester Piccadilly.
If you’re planning heading to the city, check out the best hidden gems according to locals from even more shops to family-friendly attractions.