A popular Greater Manchester’s pub has been highlighted as being home to one of the best beer gardens in England.
With ‘Step Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown now well underway – which crucially allowed hospitality businesses to reopen for outdoor service for the first time in three months – and the sunshine showing up to go along with it, there’s no doubt that many of us will be heading to our favourite local beer gardens.
This is why renowned travel website Big 7 Travel has decided to rank its top 25 beer gardens in the country, ordering them based on editorial opinions and experiences.
And one Greater Manchester pub has earned itself a place in the coveted rankings.
Ramsbottom’s very-ownEagle + Childcame in at number 21 on the list, with praise going to its unique “edible beer garden” where it grows its own fruit and vegetables, and its incredible views over the historic market town centre and across to Peel Tower.
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Eagle + Child
Revealing what made the Bury-based beer garden so special, Big 7 Travel said: “Glen Duckett, the mastermind behind Ramsbottom’s Eagle + Child, had a different sort of vision for the one-acre of disused land when he acquired the pub back in 2011.
“The Edible Beer Garden.
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“Today, you can order your tipple of choice outdoors and sit surrounded by pots and planters of veg, fruit and herbs all used to cook up a delicious storm in the kitchen.
“There’s also the Messy Play’ for kids under 10 too, with willow weaving workshops, basic horticulture training and lots of games”.
Weekend plans at the ready, here's our pick of the best beer gardens in England 🏴 🍻https://t.co/ENQZ2i1gSk
Sadly though, despite restrictions now allowing the venue to reopen its commended beer garden, ongoing necessary maintenance work has lead Eagle + Child to make the decision not to open its doors to the public until 17th May.
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There’ll still be plenty of sun-filled days to make the most of it this summer though.
Elsewhere on the Big 7 Travel list, Eagle + Child is joined by fellow North West-based pubs The Pump House in Liverpool, and The Cartford Inn in Little Eccles, Lancashire in the top 25.
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Huge Manchester street food event postponed amid severe weather
Daisy Jackson
A big food festival that was set to take place in Manchester this weekend has been postponed due to the severe storm warning.
GRUB at The Club, which is set to celebrate 11 years of the street food heavyweights, was meant to be taking place at Fairfield Social club this weekend.
The brilliant GRUB team had planned two nights of great food and DJs to celebrate their birthday, with free birthday cake for the first 50 people through the door on Friday night.
But as Manchester is battered by basically more rain than we’ve seen all summer, organisers have made the decision to postpone the event for now.
Remember when it felt like Manchester would always be sunny, dry and warm? Those days are over, my friend.
There’s a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms today, then a forecast that features a bit more rain than we’d like for a bank holiday.
GRUB have said that this severe storm forecast has made it ‘impossible’ for the event to go ahead as planned, as they prioritise the safety and enjoyment of everyone on site.
They’ve said that the event will be rearranged to take place in September, with the exact date announced very soon.
GRUB posted: “Due to the severe storm forecast this week we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the event. The safety and enjoyment of our guests, traders and team always comes first and this weekend’s weather makes it impossible for us to go ahead as planned.
“We’re gutted. This one meant a lot to us and we know it did to you too. But GRUB At The Club is not cancelled! It’s coming back in September and we cannot wait to do this properly. Keep your eyes peeled for the new date announcement coming very soon
“The launch of FSC’s brand new pizza menu is also being pushed back. But not for long! That one’s coming very soon and trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.
“Thank you for your understanding and sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’ll see you soon.”
Keep an eye on GRUB’s Instagram for the rescheduled dates.
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2021 
