The Alehouse, Clitheroe

 

The Alehouse

12-14 Market Place, Clitheroe BB7 2DA

TEL: 07547359853

Didn't get a picture, I may get one on a return visit to Clitheroe.

This place opened in 2015 and is not a traditional pub but is converted from a double shop premises. I'm all for new bars being opened since so many traditional pubs have closed down (and are still closing down) but the premises have to be suitable. This place is too narrow and cramped to make a good pub. What redeems it is that it serves nothing but cask ales. 

decor - 1

very few pictures or ornaments, wooden interior upstairs and down.

ambience - 2

Lively but both the upstairs and downstairs rooms are narrow and cramped, making it difficult to move around safely between the bar and your seat, and avoid being walked into  by male customers who have already imbibed a bit.  The small space  means there are few seats anyway. 

Service - 1

slow

Real ales - 5

Five taps on the downstairs bar that serve nothing but cask ales

features - 2

Does gift cards to give to family and friends

TV in downstairs bar

toilets - 3

Disabled access is almost non existent. Narrow entrance. The toilets are up a steep flight of stairs and there are none on the ground floor.

Score 14 out of 30

The Swan and Royal hotel, Clitheroe

 

The Swan and Royal hotel, 26 Castle Street, Clitheroe BB7 2BX

TEL:01200 423130

This was a 19th century coaching inn and is now a grade II listed building. Its famous visited include Mathatma Ghandi in 1933 when he was inspecting a nearby cotton mill, and Winston Churchill and the jet engine pioneer Frank Whittle in 1940 and 1941 when they were discussing agreements for the development of the jet engine. The Riot Act was read from the steps of the building during the Cotton Riots of 1861 to 1865. This was the period of the Cotton Famine during the American Civil War, when cotton exports from the Confederate states were blockaded by the Union navy. The shortage of raw cotton for the textile mills in Lancashire caused them to close or go to short time working, which caused loss of income and hardship to the mill workers.

decor - 3

drab teal and brown

ambience - 3

lively

service - 4

real ales - 1

Timothy Taylor

features - 2

dog friendly

accommodation

toilets - 3

Score 16 out of 30

The White Lion, Clitheroe

The White Lion, 11 Market Place, Clitheroe BB7 2BZ

TEL: 01200 426995

decor - 3

muted greens and browns

ambience - 2

underventilated and muggy

service - 2

slow

real ale - 0

features - 4

dog friendly

pool

darts

TV

toilets - 3

Score 14 out of 30

 

The Brown Cow, Clitheroe

 

The Brown Cow

42-44 Moor Lane, Clitheroe BB7 1AJ

TEL: 01200 424193

A nice high street pub on the edge of Clitheroe town centre below the castle. It looks like an average high street pub but it's friendly, welcoming and seems to be getting enough customers to keep going.  I only had time for a brief visit in March 2025 so I'm not sure whether it is dog friendly. 

decor - 3

bit plain, brown and green  colour scheme

ambience - 3

relaxing

service - 4

real ale-2

two changing beers

features - 3

darts

pool table

karaoke at weekends

toilets - 5

Score 20 out of 30

Clitheroe, by the way, is worth a visit for the castle and it's famous specialist sausage shop.