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From Castle Views to Beer Halls: A Day Drinking Through Clitheroe
I spent the day in Clitheroe, starting at The New Inn, a historic pub full of character, before heading to The Emporium, a converted chapel with a relaxed, multi-level layout. At Holmes Mill, the vast Beer Hall blended industrial heritage with a huge beer selection. The Horseshoe Inn felt like a proper local, while The Beer Shack offered a compact micropub experience. The Ale House stood out for its lively feel and friendly chat, and I finished at The Brown Cow, a traditional spot that rounded off a varied and memorable visit.
Clitheroe has been around for well over 800 years, growing up around its small Norman castle, one of the oldest in England. It started as a market town where farmers and traders gathered, and over time became known for textiles, especially during the Industrial Revolution. The River Ribble nearby helped power mills and support local industry. As those industries faded, the town settled into a quieter pace but kept its strong sense of history. Today, Clitheroe still feels closely tied to its past, with old buildings, market traditions and a friendly, welcoming character that’s easy to enjoy.
The New Inn
I started at The New Inn. The New Inn on Parson Lane dates back to the early 1800s, built as Clitheroe started to grow beyond its older centre. Sitting just below Clitheroe Castle, it would have been in a handy spot for workers, tradespeople and anyone passing through town. The building is now Grade II listed, a status it was given in 1976 to recognise its historic importance and traditional stone build. Its design reflects the kind of small inn that would have been common at the time, linked to Clitheroe’s industrial and farming past, and it’s remained part of the town’s streets for over 200 years.
The inside of the New Inn feels warm and well-worn, with snug corners and soft light across dark wood and red seating. Curved benches sit around small tables, while old fireplaces and framed pictures give each room its own feel. There’s a mix of wood and gently worn fabric, and the bar brings a bit of colour with stained glass and lined-up pumps. Nothing feels changed too much, just added to over time. It’s an easy place to sit and relax, where everything feels familiar and comfortable, and the kind of place you remember long after you’ve left.
A great variety of 10 cask ales on the bar to choose from alongside a range of keg options. I went for Liberation Frequency by Marble Beers, a pale ale with bright citrus and floral hop notes and a lively, refreshing finish.
The Emporium
Next up was to The Emporium. The Emporium began life as a Methodist chapel, serving the local congregation until it closed in 1962 when worship moved elsewhere. The building then stood quiet for decades before reopening in 1998 as The Emporium, one of the first venues created by the James’ Places group. Set across several floors, it brought together a café, bar and small retail space under one roof, helping shape Clitheroe’s modern food scene. Today, the original chapel structure is still easy to spot, giving the place a warm sense of history and connection to its past.
Inside feels warm and a bit tucked away, with soft lighting, panelled walls and comfortable seating spread across a few levels. There are snug corners with leather sofas and armchairs, alongside larger tables that suit groups just as well as a quiet drink. Big windows bring in natural light, balanced by low lamps and hanging shades that keep things cosy later on. You’ll spot plants, framed prints and little details dotted around, giving each area its own feel. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in easily, whether you’re staying put or wandering between spaces.
On the bar a choice of 2 cask ales, alongside a range of keg beers to choose from. I went for Buster IPA by Bowland Brewery, an IPA with bold citrus hop flavour and a firm, bitter finish.
Holmes Mill / Bowland Brewery
A short walk down the road brought me into Bowland Brewery / Holmes Mill. Bowland Beer Hall and Bowland Brewery are based in Holmes Mill in Clitheroe, originally built in 1823 as a large cotton spinning mill powered by the nearby River Ribble. It later became a calico printing and textile works before closing in the 20th century and standing largely empty for years. In 2003, Bowland Brewery began in a converted farm building at Bashall Eaves, then moved into the restored mill in 2015. Today, the Beer Hall blends the building’s industrial past with modern brewing, keeping its history alive through reuse rather than reinvention.
Inside, Bowland Beer Hall feels spacious but still easy to settle into. The centrepiece bar curves around in a wide oval, packed with taps, while long wooden tables and bench seating sit just behind. Stone walls, worn timber and iron columns keep that old mill character front and centre, with brewing tanks visible through the glass. Deeper in, there are softer corners too — big leather chairs, tucked-away tables and even the old machinery worked into the space. Warm lighting, skylights and a bit of greenery lift it all, giving the place a relaxed, lived-in feel rather than anything too grand.
A huge range of cask ales, keg beers and ciders to choose from and must easily be one of the biggest selections I have seen. I went for Bowland Best by Bowland Brewery, a traditional bitter with soft malt flavour and a smooth, rounded finish.
The Horseshoe Inn
Next up was to The Horseshoe Inn. The Horseshoe Inn on Bawdlands in Clitheroe dates back to at least the late 19th century. It was a tied house and, by the mid-20th century, formed part of the Dutton’s Brewery estate, a well-known Lancashire brewer. As the brewing industry changed in the late 1900s, ownership later passed into the hands of larger pub companies. Today, it is independently run again, while still keeping its place as a proper local, long associated with cask ale, darts and community life just outside the town centre.
Inside feels warm and relaxed, with a neat layout around the bar. There are solid wooden tables, comfy padded chairs and a few booth-style seats along the walls. The grey panelling and soft lighting keep things calm, while details like the stained glass above the bar add a bit of character. There’s also another room with a pool table, giving you a bit more space if you fancy a game.
A nice line up of 4 cask ales on the bar to pick from, along with a selection of keg taps. I went for Beer O’Clock by Reedley Hallows Brewery Co., a blonde ale with light citrus notes and a smooth, easy finish.
The Beer Shack
Walking back into the town centre brought me to The Beer Shack. The Beer Shack is a micropub in the centre of Clitheroe, opening on King Street in 2021. It sits within one of the town’s traditional commercial buildings, part of a long-established run of small shopfronts close to the market area. Like many properties on this historic street, the building has seen different uses over the years before becoming a micropub. Inside, the compact layout suits its purpose well, creating a close, friendly setting. Since opening, it has added to King Street’s mix of independent businesses and reflects Clitheroe’s ongoing tradition of small, locally run venues.
Inside, The Beer Shack feels warm and relaxed, with wood-panelled walls and a mix of stone and rustic touches that give it real character. Tables are spaced just enough to keep things comfortable, while window seats run along the front, catching plenty of natural light. Soft, amber lighting hangs overhead, adding to the easygoing feel. There’s a lived-in charm too, with shelves, prints and little details dotted around. Outside, a covered seating area and sunny terrace offer more room to settle in, making it just as inviting on brighter days as it is indoors.
Drinks wise on the bar a selection of 4 cask ales along with a varied craft keg selection and more choices of cans and bottles in the fridges. I went for Bruce by Bang The Elephant Brewing Co., a hazy pale ale with juicy citrus and tropical notes and a soft, smooth finish.
The Ale House
Just down the road in Clitheroe was The Ale House. Tucked into Clitheroe’s market square, The Ale House is a modern addition to a historic setting. It opened in 2016 as an independent micro-pub specialising in cask ales and craft beer. It occupies part of Market Place, an area that has been central to Clitheroe’s trading life for centuries, with many surrounding buildings dating from at least the 19th century. While the pub itself is recent, it sits within a long tradition of inns and drinking houses that have served the town’s market traders, locals and visitors for generations.
Step inside and it feels warm and welcoming, with wood-panelled walls, low ceilings and a cosy, traditional pub feel. There’s a mix of sturdy tables, bench seating and little nooks, with chalkboards, old prints and beer signs adding plenty of character. Light comes in at the front where a few seats look out onto the street, while deeper inside it feels quieter and more tucked away. Upstairs offers a bit more room if it’s busy, and there’s a rear outdoor seating area on the way. It’s the kind of place where people settle in, chat easily, and stay for another round.
It was great meeting and chatting to Simon and Ed whilst I was visiting. 5 cask ales to choose from on the bar, along with a back wall craft keg line up and even more choices in the fridges. I went for Citra DDH by Two By Two Brewing, a pale ale packed with bright citrus hop flavour and a bold, punchy finish.
The Brown Cow
My final visit was to Brown Cow. The Brown Cow stands on Moor Lane and dates back to the early–mid 19th century, when Clitheroe was expanding as a market and mill town. Built in stone with traditional sash windows, it reflects the practical style of Lancashire inns of that period. It likely served workers and travellers moving through the town as industry grew. The building was later recognised for its historic importance and was granted Grade II listed status in 1976. Despite changes around it, the Brown Cow remains a lasting part of Clitheroe’s 19th-century streetscape and heritage.
Inside feels like a proper local that’s settled comfortably into its own rhythm. The bar sits proudly at one end, with polished wood, stools tucked in close and a line of pumps ready to go. Red-topped stools and bench seating run along the walls, giving it a relaxed, sociable feel, while warm globe lights and patterned carpet add to that familiar look. There’s a dartboard and a pool table tucked away in a side room, adding to that easy, lived-in feel. It’s welcoming and the kind of place you can settle into without thinking twice.
One cask ale on the bar from nearby Bowland Brewery alongside a range of keg options. I went for St George by Bowland Brewery, a golden ale with light malt sweetness and a smooth, easy finish.
Micropub Adventures 