Burnley
Burnley Cricket Club The Ministry of Ale The Bridge Bier Huis
There are a few places to drink at in Burnley, though, a few visits ago, on a beautiful day, before the football match we went next door to Burnley Cricket Club, Belvedere Road BB10 4BN (01282 422089), watched some cricket in comfort and had a few real ales. Well worth a visit if you don't want to walk too far to the football ground, very friendly and welcoming to away fans, and I was delighted to see both home and away supporters wearing their colours and sitting beside each other watching the cricket in the sun, no trouble, great stuff.
For those wishing to visit a more usual hostelry, I would start with The Ministry of Ale, 9 Trafalgar Street BB11 1TQ (01282 830909), regularly serves 4 cask ales, with a good selection of Belgian beers, either on draft or in bottles. The building has been a pub since 1860, but was rebuilt when Moonstone Brewery made it their taphouse. The pub is quite small, but draws in many regulars and is bolstered by other events, such as football matches. The floor is uneven and the interior oozes character.
The other regularly busy real ale bar on match days is The Bridge Bier Huis (apparently Dutch for “Beer House”, unsurprisingly), 2 Bank Parade, BB11 1UH (01282 411304). Busy it may be, but there is a friendly welcome and excellent service. Up to six cask conditioned ales are available at any time and typical local food, eg pie, peas and gravy, is served during the day. In addition to the cask ales, there is a range of drinks from around the world. There are at least five foreign beers on tap and over 40 bottled beers available. You shouldn't be disappointed if you visit The Bridge before or after a match.
I have also been recommended the Queen Victoria, Queen Victoria Road, BB10 3EF (01282 450 250), which is a more modern pub, being built in the late 1970's. A beer garden overlooks the canal, consequently is busy on summer evenings. Apparently, the clientele includes locals, football fans, and visitors staying at the Premier Inn next door. If anyone can help me gain more information about this pub, please do so, as I have had difficulty and not visited Burnley for a couple of seasons, though that should change soon.
Black Bull and Church Apothecary Tea Rooms Guest House & Tea Rooms
If you want to stay close to Burnley, but taking time off to have a break as well, I can think of no better place than to visit Haworth in West Yorkshire, only a very short distance away and set in wonderful countryside to walk in. Set dead opposite the parish church and the Black Bull (a favourite drinking establishment of Branwell Bronte) is the Apothecary Guest House (which has adjoining tea rooms), 86 Main Street, Haworth BD22 8DP (tel & fax: 01535 643642), where there are tremendous views and a warm welcome.