Another year, another stunning victory for pubs around the North West, as our region holds its own yet again on the prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs list.
The Estrella Damm pub guide awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate the best food-driven pubs around the country.
The 50 front-runners were announced last year but the pubs’ rankings were only revealed at a ceremony in London this week.
And for another year, Greater Manchester and the surrounding North West region has nabbed plenty of room on the Top 50 Gastropubs list.
The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats, which stormed onto the list for the first time last year, has climbed even higher into 16th place.
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The pub’s kitchen is currently closed for a refurb as it readies to welcome a new head chef, following the departure of award-winning Shaun Moffatt last year.
The Edinburgh Castle said of the accolade: “We are all extremely proud of this, and although the kitchen is closed this month for a refurbishment, we have a new kitchen team all raring to go with some fantastic new menus that we can’t wait to share!
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The Edinburgh Castle has been named in the Top 50 Gastropubs again in the North WestFood at the Edinburgh Castle pub in Ancoats
“Thank you to all our wonderful guests, our dedicated team past and present who have helped us get here – and of course Top 50 Gastropubs for including us.
“Congratulations to the other 49 too, we can’t believe what esteemed company we are in and you all completely deserve it. 2025 is going to be a big year!
“Now, who’s popping in for a celebratory pint?”
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Also on the Top 50 Gastropubs list elsewhere in the North West was, once again, the Michelin-recommended The Pack Horse in Hayfield.
Just on the very outskirts of the region where Greater Manchester nudges the Peak District, this beautiful country pub quietly serves a fantastic pre-hike breakfast as well as a seasonal evening menu of modern British food.
The Pack Horse in Hayfield. Credit: The Manc GroupDinner at the Pack Horse in Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group
Chef and owner Luke Payne said: “Four years in the top 50, three years in the top 20.
“It means so much to us to have the love and respect of our peers, fantastic business operators and beautiful people who continue to puts us among such esteemed company, it is an honour and a privilege, and we love you all.
“This consistency is a testament to our incredibly hard working team who continue to weather the storm of the hospitality industry with vigour and laughter every single day; our tireless, incredible suppliers, and of course our guests, who ultimately give us purpose.
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“It is a personal aim of mine to visit as many of these incredible gastropubs over the coming year, your support means the world.”
The Parkers Arms up in Newton-in-Bowland in Lancashire, previously a pub that took the top spot on the list, made it in again in fourth place.
It’s particularly well-known for its pies but at this lovely countryside spot you really can’t go far wrong.
Also making it into the top 50 in Lancashire were The White Swan at Fence, and the Three Fishes in Whalley.
Now that’s an achievement worth raising a pint to.
Indie food and drink festival to return to popular Greater Manchester town for second year
Emily Sergeant
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
YUM! – Your Urmston Matters is back this month on Saturday 21 June, and will be getting underway from 11am through to 5pm.
Featured Image – Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Eats
The Stables – A brand-new Manchester pub on the site of the Rovers Return
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new pub is set to open in Manchester city centre net month, with treats in store like complimentary bowls of crisps, an outdoor terrace, and a games parlour.
The Stables Tavern is taking shape in the St John’s district, poetically on the same site that was once home to Coronation Street’s iconic Rovers Return pub.
They’re promising this will be a ‘historic tavern reimagined for today’s lover of a proper pint’.
The pub will come from Shiko Group, which is also behind Courts Club, where you can play tennis or basketball followed by court-side pints, and Side Street, a bar-restaurant-events space with a mid-Century interior.
Neighbouring the Bonded Warehouse, The Stables Tavern will join this rapidly blossoming new creative district, just across the yard from Caravan, The Trading Route and Aviva Studios.
Inside, punters will find multiple beer taps with local beers, served with complimentary bowls of crisps as well as a menu of pub snacks like handmade sausage rolls and local pies.
The pub will be split into three sections – an outside terrace, a main bar, and a parlour area at the back of the pub for live entertainment, old school games, and rounds of whiskey.
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in Manchester
This might be a new district but it’s a historic area for the city – the same building was a busy watering hole back in the early 19th century for workers, merchants and visitors who made use of the nearby canals and cobbled streets.
It was then the home of the Rovers Return, back when this area was the home of Granada Studios.
Hayley Sammé, Marketing Director, said: “We’re so excited to bring The Stables Tavern back to St John’s. The area’s extensive historical backdrop and burgeoning hospitality scene provides the perfect landscape for a traditional British pub.
“It’s the perfect addition to the existing scene, and we hope it’s going to become a popular spot in our new creative district.”
The Stables Tavern will open at St John’s on Friday 6 June – you can sign up for one of 1,000 free pints HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
31st January 2025 
