Top Lock, Heapeyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now under new ownership, most of the cask ale gone and prices raised dramatically, don't see many people there for some reason.
G7SYY - 16 Jul 2018 16:44 |
Visited the pub whilst stating with friends in Chorley. A superb pub with an excellent selection of beer. Friendly staff and customers. Highly recommended if you're in the area.
Boyne - 17 Feb 2014 10:10 |
I remembered a friendly, rough and ready but characterful pub with good beer and Indian food. I didn't remember boisterous locals and didn't see them this time either. A really great beer choice (decent sized micros) complemented some real homecooked curry. Fantastic place.
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An excellent choice of beers and a pretty good ambience. However, I found the same problem with the "locals". They are indeed loud and they crowd around the bar, two deep. It's nearly impossible to see what beers are on before squirming between them to get to bar.
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This is a nice little pub & was voted CAMRA's pub of the season, which is understandable with the excellent beer choice on offer. These vary widely with local offerings being popular, on the evening of my visit I found; Hawkshead, Coniston, Bank Top & Moorhouses to mention a few. You can also find Wheat & Fruit beers on tap here too, but be warned, this is not the cheapest of pubs.
Situated on the outskirts of Wheelton village, this single room establishment as the name suggests is nicely sat on the "Top Lock" at the side of the canal. There are several east facing table/benches outside & on a warm summer evenings it really is delightful spot. The trouble is, a lot of other people think that way too so it often gets packed in the evening and at weekends so get there early. There is also some seating in the courtyard at the rear of the pub, but this is often shaded & unless you enjoy sitting amongst numerous empty beer barrels I wouldn't bother.
Since my last visit (a while a go) the toilets have had a much needed but limited face lift . The pub itself is looking very tired these days and is really in need of refurbishment, although in the present financial climate I can't see it happening.
The staff, although young, were all pleasant enough & no tops ups were needed so no faults there.
The food choice on offer could be described as good, wholesome, but pretty basic, apart from the curries which I can concur with an earlier comment, are very good. This is no doubt is partly due to it's Asian connection.
Bizarrely, the pub also runs an ice cream parlour from a side door at the end of the bar & on sunny days this proves very popular.
The pub also hosts an "annual beer festival" too, but personally it's not for me, having been once I wont go back. I felt exploitation was the name of the game, a charge to get in & once you've been captured, he charges above average prices for the beer. So unless the format has changed, beware.
If music is your thing, there is usually a live artist on most Thursday evenings which I'm told are usually pretty good too.
I've found the client�le is pretty mixed here, with walkers & dog owners frequent throughout the day. In the evenings however, the front of the bar is dominated by the locals and I have to agree with earlier comments, this somewhat cliquey & often vocal group can be very irritating as they seem totally oblivious to anyone else who is trying to get served.
OK, a warning, due to its location a lot of walkers/dog owners use the pub as a starting/finishing point. The landlord has obviously had issues with cars parking in the pub car park. So in a spirit of goodwill he has now kindly introduced wheel clamping and if he sees you (even outside pub opening times) he will challenge you. Unless you're actually drinking in the pub, park here at your own risk.
To summarise, a nice pub in a great location, if ale is your thing, you won't be disappointed, but if your looking for friendly locals, atmosphere, comfortable interiors, character, intimacy, look elsewhere.
LW
Pub/Beer critic
(BeerNorthWestUK) - Twitty
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Nothings changed excellent beers but boorish locals still under the feet !
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Nice to sit by the canal on a warm day and enjoy a very good pint of Coniston Bluebird, or one of the other seven real ales on offer. Avoid the "beer garden" out the back - it's like a brewer's delivery depot with a couple of picnic benches squeezed in amongst the empties.
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Excellent beer if expensive and great food. Pub looking a bit tatty these days and I've also had problems getting to the bar even at lunch times.
In the evenings the pub smells of curry as (I believe) the owner is Indian and makes his own, they really are superb.
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Have to agree with manstien,trying to get to the bar when there are people sat there spouting crap and refusing to move.
Otherwise great pub.
G7SYY - 13 Aug 2009 00:09 |
Excellent beers only marred by local boors blocking the bar.
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The Top Lock is a great canalside pub with outdoor seating in their front & rear gardens or on the canalside. They have a range of about 7 or 8 well kept real ales and a good mix of pale & dark beers are usually on offer. A regular GBG entry. They do good value food & staff are friendly & efficient. Locals also very friendly. Not the easiest pub to find but well worth it when you do. We often stop off here for refreshment if passing by on the nearby motorway and have never been disappointed.
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