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.
Drake-backed Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
The cult LA-born fried chicken brand backed by Drake is expanding in Manchester once again, this time with a brand-new site at the Trafford Centre.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open its latest location inside the huge shopping centre, bringing its signature Nashville-style heat to The Orient food hall.
Already causing a stir with its first Manchester site at the Printworks, the fast-growing US chain has built a reputation for long queues and a chicken spice level so extreme you have to sign a waiver to eat it (The Reaper is not for the faint of heart).
And now hoardings have appeared at the bottom of The Orient at The Trafford Centre, joining Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Slim Chickens.
The new Trafford Centre restaurant is expected to follow the same winning formula, serving up its famous hot chicken tenders and sliders, available in seven spice levels and served on a slice of bread to soak up all the spice levels.
Fans can also expect a menu packed with loaded fries, creamy mac and cheese, kale slaw, and indulgent top-loaded shakes, alongside refreshing slushers to cool things down after the heat kicks in.
Born in a Los Angeles car park back in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has exploded in popularity in recent years, with Drake becoming a high-profile investor as the brand rapidly expanded across the US and into the UK.
The Trafford Centre opening marks another major step in the brand’s UK growth, following successful launches in London, Birmingham, and Manchester city centre, and signals that the fried chicken heavyweight is only just getting started.
If the scenes at previous openings are anything to go by, Mancunians can expect queues, hype, and plenty of spice when the doors finally open.
Popular Manchester brunch spot Bruncho teases what’s to come with new Northern Quarter cafe
Daisy Jackson
Bruncho has shared a glimpse of what’s to come when it officially opens the doors to its new Northern Quarter cafe.
The brunch spot has had queues down the street since launching on Deansgate, with enough popularity to warrant it opening a second location.
Bruncho is moving into the old Feel Good Club, a huge unit in Hilton House that’s been left empty since the cafe’s shock closure.
And as the clock ticks down to Bruncho’s launch into the Northern Quarter, they’ve shared an exclusive look inside at their very big plans.
The team have now confirmed that the new venue will have a salad bar and vegetarian buffet, as well as coffee raves with DJs at select hours.
New CGIs of the space also show a drastic change from the site’s days as Feel Good Club, filling the giant cafe with wooden tables, hanging pendant lights, plants, and soft textures.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
A glimpse inside Bruncho Northern QuarterBruncho will have a vegetarian buffet when it opens in the Northern QuarterHow Bruncho Northern Quarter will look
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th April 2021 
