Eats

Iconic old Manchester boozer named the best pub in the UK

This calls for a celebratory pint

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 26th July 2026

One of Manchester’s most legendary pubs – which happens to be home to its most legendary landlady too – has been named the best in the UK.

The Peveril of the Peak has shot to the top of a list of the 22 Best Pubs in the UK, compiled by Time Out.

The comprehensive list spans the length and breadth of the country looking for the watering holes that nail a ‘convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks’.

And it’s Manchester’s very own Peveril of the Peak, or The Pev, that made it into the number one spot, being labelled by judges as ‘perfect’.

Time Out praised the pub’s ‘dazzling’ tiled exterior, its jukebox and pool table, and its 96-year-old landlady Nancy Swanick, who (along with her family) has overseen the pub for more than 50 years.

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The Peveril of the Peak wasn’t the only Manchester pub to make it onto the list of the best in the UK – there was also a nod for another local icon, The Marble Arch, which placed 15th.

Elsewhere in the North West, The Golden Lion in Todmorden, and The Roscoe Head in Liverpool made it onto the list, along with a couple of pubs in Sheffield.

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Inside The Pev
Inside The Pev
The Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester
The Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester

Speaking of The Pev, Time Out wrote: “The Peveril of the Peak — or the Pev, for short, always — is the kind of pub that’s so perfect, it deserves to serve as the venue for the wetting of your head, your wedding and your wake. And, preferably, as much life between.

“Standing freely on Great Bridgewater Street, the Pev beckons you in with its dazzling green, yellow and brown tiling, retro windows and heavy emerald door. Inside, it’s a ‘proper pub’ and then some: a jukebox, pool table and dartboard are all crammed into a cosy snug, smattered with vintage stools, sticky tables and framed Pub of the Year awards from decades gone by.

“The boozer — rumoured to be both a former brothel and a haunt for ghosts — has been overseen by legendary landlady Nancy Swanick, who still lives above the bar and is now well into her 90s, for over 50 years. Expect a knees-up for the ages when she hits the big 100. Cheers!”

The full list of Time Out’s 22 Best Pubs in the UK 2026

  1. Peveril of the Peak (Manchester)
  2. The Old Neptune (Whitstable, Kent)
  3. The Doublet (Glasgow)
  4. Old Dungeon Ghyll (Great Langdale, Lake District)
  5. The Golden Lion (Todmorden, West Yorkshire)
  6. The Old Crown (Deritend, Birmingham)
  7. The Rutland Arms (Sheffield)
  8. The Laurieston Bar (Glasgow)
  9. The Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath, Birmingham)
  10. The Roscoe Head (Liverpool)
  11. The Grampus Inn (Lee Bay, Devon)
  12. Kelham Island Tavern (Sheffield)
  13. The Travellers Rest (Glenridding, Cumbria)
  14. Old Nun’s Head (Nunhead, London)
  15. The Marble Arch Inn (Ancoats, Manchester)
  16. The Britannia Inn (Dungeness, Kent)
  17. Rose Reilly (Govanhill, Glasgow)
  18. The Basketmakers Arms (Brighton)
  19. Brass Monkey (Drummond Street) (Edinburgh)
  20. The Watering Hole (Perranporth, Cornwall)
  21. The Dagda Bar (Newington, Edinburgh)
  22. Flute and Tankard (Cardiff)

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salvi's Manchester Italian original restaurant closing

One of Manchester’s oldest and most loved Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, has sadly announced that they are closing their original restaurant after more than a decade and a half.

Having served authentic recipes from Naples and been at the forefront of the cuisine in this city for well over 15 years, it can be hard to remember a time before Salvi’s.

With that in mind, we’re gutted to hear that their OG location over in the Corn Exchange is now shutting its doors imminently.

But fret not: it’s not all doom and gloom, as they promise this isn’t the last you’ll see of them.

Often considered the first true Manc-Neapolitan eatery, which turned from a small counter and deli into, at one point, a big and beloved group of local independent restaurants with multiple locations, most people know the name and the sign, and plenty have patronised them since day one.

Sharing an emotional message in the caption of the post above, founder Maurizio Cecco and his wife Claire said: “For sixteen years, Salvi’s has been part of Manchester’s story. We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve built together.

“As the city changes, independent businesses have to change too. Today will be our last day of trading at Corn Exchange. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey all these years.

“This isn’t the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter – stay tuned. Grazie Mille.”

Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the news has been bittersweet, with people obviously saddened to hear of this latest closure but also looking back fondly on its past.

One person wrote in the comments: “I remember launching this amazing place all those years ago and have continued to watch you thrive!! Best of luck for the future!” Another added: “Will miss Salvi’s great food, great staff, not forgetting the Italian festival. All the best, Maurizio and family in your new adventure

As mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Maurizio and Claire are also behind the equally famous Festa Italiana, which draws crowds of tens of thousands across a full weekend every single year.

Having been regulars and firm fans of both their first family-owned flagship site and the aforementioned festival for many years, we’re equally gutted to see it go.

But as they made clear, this is not a definite ending for the brand, and it’s safe to say we’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.

Thanks for the memories and all the incredible food and drink you’ve served us – we hope we hear from you again sometime very soon.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured Images — The Manc Eats

Eats

Locals left stunned and excited by ‘unrecognisable’ plans for returning Stockport pub

Danny Jones Danny Jones Golden Hind pub Offerton reopening plans Stockport

Stockport locals have been left “stunned” and “buzzing” after seeing the plans for the soon-to-be reborn Golden Hind pub in Offerton.

We’ve seen plenty of refurbs over the past couple of years, but this one really does look unrecognisable – both their words and ours.

The Golden Hind, a former Hungry Horse and then Greene King pub, sadly closed in November of 2023 after more than half a century of serving Stopordian punters under the previous operators, with nearby residents rallying together to save the “community hub“.

While the initial efforts weren’t enough to prevent the no-nonsense boozer from closing, another Manc brewery is set to bring it back, having now revealed their vision for a major overhaul. The video below cycles through an overview of the plans:

Safe to say it’ll be quite the transformation should everything go ahead as expected.

Joseph Holt announced that they would be taking over the premises roughly three years on from its unfortunate closure, having recently resurrected/refreshed a number of Greater Manchester boozers.

Some residents have already noted similarities to the Puss in Boots on Nangreave Road in Heaviley, one of multiple Almond Family Pubs locations in the borough, but they’re hoping that restoring a food menu in line with their ‘traditional’ vision will help it rival the native group’s offerings.

Although ‘The Hind’ already had a popular SK beer garden, most notably, the updated ideas for the venue included a brand-new outdoor terrace, with planters, hanging baskets and other green elements, along with a brand-new glass porch and extra covered areas around the building.

The public house last saw renovations back in 2017, but these were mainly cosmetic (new chairs and tables, as well as a fresh lick of paint, etc.); this time, it’s getting a full relandscaping and more.

golden hind blueprints stockport
Credit: Stockport Council

You can take another look at the proposed blueprints in full detail right HERE.

Further reinforcing what a loss it was to the area, plenty have not only expressed their excitement about the Golden Hind, but already asked whether dining will return as mentioned, not to mention enquiring about jobs both in a potential kitchen, behind the bar, as part of prospective cleaning staff and more.

As always with hospitality closures, it isn’t just food and drink that people lose out on; it’s jobs, steady incomes, and for many, an important social outlet.

That’s why so many people signed the previous petition to keep the much-loved watering hole alive, and while it may be under new ownership, they’ll be just glad to see it being revived.

Speaking on the project, Joseph Holt’s CEO Richard Kershaw said: “Joseph Holt is a brewery committed to putting pubs back into the heart of local communities.

It is at the core of our ethos, since we know they play such an important role not just as places to enjoy a drink, but as welcoming spaces to meet others, take part in social groups, and enjoy live events. All of which will be happening once again once we complete our redevelopment of the Golden Hind.

“That’s why we are investing over £1 million in a comprehensive and carefully considered redevelopment, creating a pub in the truest traditional sense — complete with open fireplaces, generous outdoor spaces, and comfortable, characterful furnishings.”

You can read the full story so far down below.

Operation ‘Save the Golden Hind’: Stockport locals rallying to stop beloved Greene King pub closing

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE

Featured Images — Joseph Holt/Stockport Council (supplied)

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