The Red Bull

As has been said. Don’t let the ever so slightly run down exterior put you off. Food here is superb and very friendly service. A real treat having driven around trying to find something.

Don’t be put off by the slightly run down exterior of this excellent country pub. A traditional beams and brasses establishment, the Red Bull’s Sunday roast is a remarkable platter of proper slabs of carvery meat, crispy and fluffy, proper scratch-​cooked roast potatoes and parsnips, sprouts, cabbage, carrots, sweetcorn and peas and cauliflower cheese. Portions are generous, utterly delicious and have that homecooked, comfort food satisfaction so hard to find in restaurants. For those with the room there are traditional starters such as soup, ham hock terrine and prawn cocktail, as well as puddings and liqueur coffees. I was surprised to find that a pub like this still existed, and that such a meal came in at only a couple of pounds more than a nuked Wetherspoon ‘roast’. Warm, friendly, welcoming service from Dave and his staff in a wonderful, cosy relaxed pub. Very highly recommended.

The best of Eccles’ two pubs. Cosy and comfortable atmosphere with good selection of beers and hearty and large portioned roast meat-​based menu in the adjoining restaurant. No juke box or telly — it isn’t that sort of place and I’m glad for that. Beer garden and terrace as well as parking make it a destination pub for people who prefer conversation to making threatening gestures towards footballers on a big screen.