
It’s very easy to remain in the blissful bubble of Manchester filled with high-rise buildings, trams meandering round the city streets and great bars and restaurants practically on every corner. But sometimes it’s good to escape the concrete jungle and venture to the hills.
And before you try and guess the Peaks or the Pennines, these hills are slightly smaller ones and are just a short drive away… And better still, there’s a pub boasting some jaw-dropping views of them.
Heading north of the city up the M66 past Bury and right to the edge of the Greater Manchester border is the cosy public house, The Eagle & Child, situated in the quaint market town of Ramsbottom. Home to a number of independent food and drink businesses such as Frank’s Burgers and Tre Ciccio, the town also has a number of pubs to choose from, however this one sets them apart thanks to its hilltop location, offering diners sweeping views of Holcombe Hill and Peel Tower (a memorial to Sir Robert Peel).
Enter the pub’s orangery where you can see the best views due to its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and tuck into hearty and proper pub grub made using locally-sourced ingredients. Choose from the likes of local delicacy Bury black pudding with brown sauce (with a vegan option available); beer battered Fleetwood haddock with minted mushy peas and chunky chips; steak and ale pot pie; and “Double Bomber” cheese pie. Plus, the Ramsbottom pub also serves up a top notch Sunday roast as well as delectable desserts (did someone say sticky toffee pudding?)
However, its not just the pub’s interior brimming with delights as The Eagle & Child’s beer garden is definitely not to go amiss. Recently refurbished, the Ramsbottom pub has transformed its beer garden into quite the alfresco dining destination and suntrap.
Serving hand-stretched stonebaked pizzas from its pizza oven within the purpose-built, wooden terrace bar, guests can enjoy tasty slices either outside on one of the pub’s benches or within the large tipi draped in cute fairy lights (perfect to escape to when the weather takes an unexpected turn). From your classics like margarita and marinara to barbecue chicken or mushrooms and truffle oil, there’s plenty of pizzas to choose from, all to be enjoyed alongside The Eagle & Child’s wide drinks selection featuring a range of ales, beers, wines, spirits and cocktails on the menu.
And if you’re in need of somewhere to rest your head or planning to extend your visit in the Ramsbottom area, The Eagle & Child offers five boutique hotel rooms to stay in. The pub has two suites with baths, Juliette balconies and impressive views over Ramsbottom across to Peel Tower and the Lancashire moors, as well as one dog-friendly room available. Book a room here.
📍The Eagle & Child at 3 Whalley Rd, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 0DL.
🚗 The pub lies just off the M66, taking approximately 30 minutes in the car from Manchester city centre and parking is available.
🚌 You can also get the X41 bus from Manchester to Ramsbottom.