Campaign for Real Pubs: The Harrington Arms

The Harrington Arms, Gawsworth, Cheshire SK11 9RJ

An old farmhouse pub situated in a pretty village just down the road from the church and half-timbered Gawsworth Hall. The interior has been smartened up a little from the totally unspoilt original, but still retains a number of small rooms. The parlour on the left with its quarry-tiled floor and long tables and settles is especially characterful. Another room to the rear has a piano. It’s a Robinson’s tied house offering Hatters Mild, Unicorn and Dizzy Blonde. Food is served but doesn’t dominate to the exclusion of all else. The StreetView image shows it bathed in glorious winter sunshine.

WHAT ARE REAL PUBS?

Real pubs are pubs whose primary function is still the original core purpose of pubs – for people to meet and socialise over a few drinks.

They may serve food, and very good food at that, but they don’t allow it to dominate to the exclusion of all else. They’ll probably have a strong core of regular customers, but still make casual drinkers welcome. They may well serve a good drop of real ale, but won’t be full of beer bores droning on about hop varieties and IBUs.

In many parts of the country they’re getting very hard to find. In recent years, the smoking ban, beer duty hikes, the demonisation of “one-drink driving” and the general anti-alcohol climate have all had their effect, but such pubs do still survive if you know where to look and deserve to be celebrated.

Although in many ways they are a laudable organisation, this blog is not connected with and does not in any way represent the Campaign for Real Ale.

The inclusion of a pub does not necessarily reflect a recent visit by myself, although often it does.

Campaign for Real Pubs

The Harrington Arms

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