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All Aboard for a Memorable Evening on the Fylde
I had a fantastic evening out with The Fylde Tramway Society, enjoying a lovely run around Kirkham and Freckleton. It was one of those trips where everything just felt easy and enjoyable, with plenty of good company along the way. The bus, kindly provided by Best Bus In Town, was spot on for the trip and made the journey all the more pleasant. Big thanks to Gary and Bradley as well for looking after us on board – they really helped make it such a warm and relaxed evening.
Kirkham and Freckleton are two neighbouring Lancashire communities with a long and interesting past. Kirkham grew around a market square and was once an important centre for weaving and local trade, giving it a busy, close-knit feel. Just down the road, Freckleton has more of a village character, with farming at the heart of its early life. During the Second World War, Freckleton was sadly affected by an air disaster, which is still remembered today. Both places have kept their friendly character, blending history with everyday life in a way that feels welcoming and familiar.
Kirkham
Stable Bar
My first visit was to The Stable Bar. The Stable takes its name from the building’s original use, when it served as stabling linked to Kirkham’s busy market trade. Horses and carts would have been kept here while traders worked nearby, making it a practical part of everyday life. As transport and commerce changed, the building was repurposed, eventually becoming a pub. Traces of its past remain in the structure and layout, giving it a distinct character. Today, The Stable keeps that heritage alive, offering a warm, relaxed place to meet, with a quiet nod to its working roots.
Inside The Stable, the room feels warm and relaxed, with a traditional pub look that’s easy to settle into. Wooden bench seating runs along one side, paired with small round tables and stools that keep things informal. The patterned carpet and soft lighting add to the comfortable feel, while framed pictures and a dartboard give it a familiar, lived-in touch. Toward the back, the bar area sits slightly tucked away, with a TV and a quiet hum of background activity. It’s the kind of place where you can sit back without fuss, whether you’re meeting friends or just taking your time over a drink.
It was fantastic meeting Jack in here when I visited and was great chatting to you. On the bar a great line up of 5 cask ales. I went for Farmers Cruci-Bull Ale by Bradfield Brewery, a strong pale ale with bold hop character and a clean, dry finish.
Kirkham Bierhuis
Up the road in Kirkham brought me to Kirkham Bierhaus. Kirkham Bierhuis began life as a Santander bank on Kirkham’s high street, before being carefully transformed and reopening in February 2022 as a micropub. The old banking hall, once filled with queues and counters, was reworked into a more welcoming, sociable space while keeping its sense of place in the town centre. Its opening marked a shift in how the building was used, turning a former financial hub into somewhere built around conversation and community, and it has remained a steady part of Kirkham’s high street ever since.
Inside it feels warm and lived in, with long wooden tables and bench seating that gently bring people together. Exposed brick walls and soft hanging lights give it a relaxed glow, while little details like the dartboard and wall décor add character. The front opens out to the street, letting in light and a bit of passing life. Outside, there’s a quiet yard with scattered tables and a covered area, unfussy but comfortable, where people can sit back and take their time away from the road. It never feels rushed, just easy to settle in and stay a while there.
On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales, alongside a large keg selection including a number of German lagers. I went for Patriot Games by Wilde Child Brewing Company, a hazy pale ale with juicy tropical fruit notes and a soft, smooth finish.
Tap & Vent Brewhouse
My final call of 3 in Kirkham was to Tap & Vent Brewhouse. Tap & Vent Brewhouse opened in 2019, created from a former shop unit as part of Kirkham’s high street revival. It quickly built a strong reputation for well-kept cask ale, craft beer, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, helping draw new visitors into the town. Brewing began on site in 2022 under “The Brewhouse,” giving the pub a more local, hands-on identity. In late 2025, the business changed hands and the brewery became Urban Wolf. Today it remains a welcoming micropub, still closely tied to Kirkham’s ongoing regeneration and community spirit. It continues to offer a range of beers and events.
Inside, Tap & Vent Brewhouse feels cosy and relaxed, with a compact, open layout that makes it easy to settle in. A wooden bar runs along one side, lined with hand pumps and taps, while chalkboards list changing beers. Seating is a mix of stools, benches and small tables, keeping things informal and friendly. The décor blends exposed brick, warm lighting and brewing equipment in view, giving it character without fuss. It’s the kind of place where conversation flows easily, whether you’re perched at the bar or tucked into a corner with a pint. It always feels comfortable and welcoming.
A fantastic selection of drinks with 5 cask ales to choose from including one from their own brewery, alongside a range of keg options and a fridge full of cans. I went for Urban Blonde by Urban Wolf, a blonde ale with light malt sweetness and a clean, easy finish.
Freckleton
JB Social
I headed back on the bus from Kirkham to nearby Freckleton for my final 2 visits of the night. Starting with LUPO x JB Social. LUPO Pizza is home to JB Social, a newer addition to Freckleton’s social scene with a relaxed, welcoming feel. Set within LUPO’s space, it brings people together over good food, conversation, and locally brewed beer. The bar is run by Jimbrew Brewing, whose beers stand out for being brewed without barley or wheat, making them naturally gluten-free and a bit different from most breweries. While not historic in the traditional sense, it carries on the village’s love of shared spaces. JB Social has quickly become a familiar spot for easy catch-ups and laid-back evenings.
Inside feels polished yet comfortable from the moment you walk in. Warm terracotta tones, curved archways and soft backlit alcoves give the space a distinctive look, while padded bench seating and small round tables keep it intimate and relaxed. There’s a mix of cosy corners and more open areas, with statement lighting and trailing greenery adding character without overdoing it. The bar sits just off to the side, and as the evening picks up, the room fills with conversation and groups gathering around high tables. Out the back, a bright glass-covered terrace offers a lighter, more casual spot, making it easy to settle in whether you’re there for a quick drink or a longer catch-up.
2 cask ales and 9 keg beers available on the bar so lots of choice and a variety of styles. I went for God Is A Woman by Jimbrew Brewing Co., a strawberry and cream sour with sweet berry notes and a smooth, tangy finish.
Tap N Drum
My final call in Freckleton was to TAP n’ DRUM. The Tap N Drum in Freckleton began life in 2019 as The Vestry Taproom, set up in a former shop space during the rise of small, community pubs. It quickly became a gathering place for locals, built around conversation and a relaxed atmosphere. In 2022, it changed hands and was renamed Tap N Drum, marking a new chapter while keeping its original spirit. Despite the name change, much of what made it popular remained the same. Today, it stands as part of Freckleton’s recent social history, reflecting how village pubs continue to adapt while staying rooted in community life.
Inside the space feels compact but welcoming, centred around a single room. The bar sits along one side, with padded booth seating by the front windows and wooden tables and stools filling the rest of the floor. Soft pendant lights and string lights overhead give it a warm glow, while dark walls, framed prints and a large wall clock add character. Along one wall, there’s a narrow ledge with stools for a quick pint. Outside, a small front seating area with tables and benches offers a sheltered spot for a drink.
A line up of 3 cask ales on the bar alongside a variety of keg options to choose from. I went for Idaho Pink IPA by Acorn Brewery, an IPA with bright citrus and grapefruit notes and a crisp, bitter finish.
Micropub Adventures 