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We’ve got iconic historic boozers like the Briton’s Protection and The Peveril of the Peak. We’ve got craft beer nirvana in Track, Balance, and Pomona Island (among many others). We’ve even got the Didsbury Dozen, a leafy crawl for those who like their pints with a side of brunch.
But in the slightly scruffier, deeply loveable western reaches of Salford, there’s something even better brewing – the Eccles Golden Mile.
Fifteen pubs. All walkable. All full of character. Many pints under £4. It’s got karaoke, cask ale, curry, darts, DJs, and dog-friendly vibes. And the locals? Salt of the earth. Whether you’re in a Grade II listed gem or a sticky-carpeted rugby den, you’re in for a proper good time.
So grab your comfiest shoes, line your stomach, and set off for a crawl that might just be Britain’s best value sesh.
The Eccles Golden Mile
1. Spinners Arms
308 Liverpool Rd, Eccles M30 0RY
Start strong on The Eccles Golden Mile. The Spinners is your classic kick-off pub, Warm, welcoming, and filled with banter. The food’s hearty, the crowd’s lively, and the Guinness is poured with care. Locals chat like you’ve known them for years, and you might find yourself accidentally staying for three pints instead of one. Happens to the best of us.
2. Bird in Hand
Bird in Hand, Eccles
304 Liverpool Rd, Eccles M30 0RY
This place is big. Four rooms, a gorgeous beer garden, massive telly for the footy and a pool room that’s seen more drama than Love Island. Expect darts, DJs, and deals on drinks. Snag a seat in the snug if you want to feel like you’ve time-travelled back to the golden age of boozers. A must-stop for atmosphere and the sheer variety of things going on.
3. Wangies
Liverpool Rd, Eccles M30 0QN
Formerly The Oddfellows, this place has the sort of pub name you only get in the North. Wangies is a proper locals’ pub with heart. Live music on weekends, cheap-as-chips guest ales, and four different areas to explore. Think of it as a mini pub crawl within a pub. You might walk in during open mic night and be called on stage to play the tambourine.
4. Stanley Arms
295 Liverpool Rd, Eccles M30 0QN
One of the best preserved Edwardian pubs in the area. This Grade II listed beaut is full of charm: all etched glass and vintage tiles. Lots of fine wood. Bonus points for the on-bar pie warmer, grab yourself a pork pie, order a pint of cask, and soak up the ambience. DJs and karaoke keep it lively at weekends, but it never loses its old-school soul.
5. The Dog and Partridge
221 Church St, Eccles M30 0LY
If Salford Red Devils had an official HQ, this would be it. A bit rough round the edges, but it’s the heart and hospitality that counts — and the Dog and Partridge has both in spades. Dennis the landlord is a local legend. Rugby days here are rowdy in the best way, and there’s always a DJ playing the hits. Cheap pints, great vibes.
6. The Duke of York
89 Church St, Eccles M30 0EJ
Old, battered, beautiful. The Duke has seen some things, and probably sung about them during karaoke. It’s a real character pub with friendly regulars, cracking staff and prices that’ll make you do a double take. Think darts, dogs, jukebox, and just the right amount of dodgy wallpaper. Recently spruced up inside but still gloriously unpretentious.
7. Old Bulls Head
74 Church St, Eccles M30 0DA
Built in 1893 and still pouring pints with pride. The Bulls Head is perfectly placed next to all the public transport links you could want (or need, several pints in). There’s live music every Friday, karaoke Saturdays, and more screens than your local Curry’s. Cask ale fans will be well looked after, and the beer garden out back is a treat.
8. Nag’s Head
41 Church Rd, Eccles M30 0BJ
This is the pub where strangers become mates within five minutes. Cheap beer, great chat, and a dartboard that’s seen more victories than United’s trophy cabinet lately. The perfect pre-match stop before heading to Old Trafford. Or stay all night, no judgement here.
9. The Grapes
27 Church St, Eccles M30 0BJ
CAMRA nerds, rejoice. This one’s on the National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. You’ll see why when you clock the carved mahogany bar and decorative glass. It’s big, beautiful and full of little rooms and hidey-holes. The beer selection’s excellent, and there’s a pool room with stadium-style seating. Fancy.
10. Oddfellows Arms
48 Church St, Eccles M30 0DF
Recently given a proper glow-up, this one’s now rocking plush carpets and swanky darts boards. Dog-friendly, community-driven, and proud to pour a perfect pint. Locals rave about the staff knowing your drink before you say a word. Proper pub energy.
11. The Station Bar
The Station Bar
15-17 Church St, Eccles M30 0DF
More of a bar/café hybrid, but don’t let that fool you, this place is adored. Famous locally for its breakfasts and roast dinners, it’s the ideal mid-crawl pit stop to line your stomach. Bonus points for the lovely owners and friendly vibe. It’s the calm in the storm of this 15-pub crawl.
12. The Northern Type
23 Church St, Eccles M30 0DF
Craft beer lovers, this is your pilgrimage point. Run by a former dairy farmer turned beer savant, The Northern Type is stocked with the finest indie cans and rotating kegs. Expect good tunes, board games, and a real community feel. A lovely place to pause, ponder, and sip something 6.5% and hoppy. Can’t make it down? Buy a bottle here
13. The Eccles Cross (Wetherspoon)
13 Regent St, Eccles M30 0BP
You know the deal: it’s Wetherspoons. Sticky carpets and dangerously cheap pints. Whether you love it or loathe it, it’s a dependable crawl stop for budget beer and a tactical mixed grill. It might not be sexy, but it’s reliable.
14. The Lamb Hotel
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33 Regent St, Eccles M30 0BP
Saving the best for last? Possibly. The Lamb is gorgeous, another Grade II stunner with award-winning ales, polished woodwork, etched glass and old-world elegance. It’s the kind of pub that CAMRA dreams about. Karaoke nights in the function room are legendary, and it’s won plenty of local pub of the year awards for a reason.
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