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A Saturday evening out with the “Fylde Tramway Society” heading out from Blackpool further out to visit pubs at 3 different villages, these being Stalmine, Knott End and Preesall. The bus used is owned by “Fylde Transport Trust“, Blackpool Corporation 529. A Leyland PD3 which entered service in 1968 and was withdrawn in 1980. A beautifully restored bus which returned to the road in 2008.
The bus started off at Star Gate before picking up at North Pier and Gynn Square. I boarded at North Pier for a lovely evening journey out towards Knott End with calls on the way, crossing over the River Wyre en route.
Stalmine – The Seven Stars
Our first call of the evening was in Stalmine. The name is thought to mean the pool or stream at the mouth of the river, from the Old English steall and the Old Norse mynni. The pub here was “The Seven Stars”. A really warm welcome in here from the team behind the bar and a very relaxing feel inside, with some fires dotted around for in the colder months, a lovely local village pub which looked to be very popular.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar here to choose from. I went with the one which is most local being “Filly Close Blonde”, from Burnley, Lancashire based Reedley Hallows Brewery. A light, refreshing and well balanced golden ale, kept really well.
Knott End – The Bourne Arms
A short 10 minute ride on the bus (passing our third call in Preesall on the way), brings me to my second call in Knott End “The Bourne Arms”. The name “Knott End” has 2 different theory’s where the name comes from, One theory is that the “knotts” were two large mounds of stones which lay out in the river until they were destroyed in the construction of the entrance to the Wyre Dock. Others believe that the name may have been derived from the “knot”, a bird that frequents the sands of Morecambe Bay on which Knott End is situated.
“The Bourne Arms” is another warm and welcoming pub, with some amazing views overlooking the River Wyre, Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland Falls, and a few minutes walk away from the Knott End Ferry. A great large outdoor area for the warmer weather as well. A blue plaque on the pub shows that it was built in 1850 with the first landlord being Mr Edward Rodger. It also explains there is evidence of a previous ale house on the site around 1824/1825 with Mr John Croft as the innkeeper.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar today to choose from with a range of pale and amber ales. I went with “Hopping Special”, a delicious amber ale which has been brewed using 5 different malts, along with Citra and Galaxy hops being added later. Really easy drinking.
Preesall – The Black Bull
Our final call after a 5 minute bus journey is to “The Black Bull” in Preesall, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book compiled in 1086, being previously being called Preshoueth. The name meaning ‘thicket on a hill or ridge”.
“The Black Bull” is a lovely 18th Century pub with some low ceilings and a really traditional look and feel. The pub was built around 1760 and the blue plaque outside shows that the first recorded landlord was Mr John Bamber who ran the pub from 1770-1789. A great warm welcome from the team behind the bar in here, and lots of small cosy rooms to sit in.
A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar in here, along with a couple of local beers on keg. I went with both in here starting with “Holmestead” from Cockerham, Lancashire based Farm Yard Brew Co. One of their newer beers, a delicious and tasty traditional English Bitter. I went onto “Doff Cocker” from Blackburn based Three B’s Brewery. A light hoppy blonde beer, very refreshing.
All that was left to do now was to jump back on the bus for the journey back into Blackpool, dropping onto the promenade road at Cleveleys and dropping off up to Starr Gate with a collection box for donations for the trust en route. I got off at Bispham but had a thoroughly enjoyable night. Timetable also shown below.
Micropub Adventures 