The London Clarets

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Becko's Burnley Boozer of the month, April 2002

The Woodman The Woodman Inn 129 Todmorden Road BURNLEY BB11 3EX Tel: 01282 424585

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In the early to mid 1980s, this was one of the best pubs in Burnley, selling a fine pint of Draught Bass. It used to be busy most nights, and did a good, and popular, Sunday lunch. Things change quickly, and by the end of the 90s it was looking pretty sorry for itself. It was a bit run down, and dirty. It even closed for several weeks. I don't know whether it was the standard of manager that Enterprise Inns put in, but I don't think it was a coincidence that the pub declined when real ale was removed.

What a welcome relief it is that Larry Sanders is now the licensee. The pub is doing as well as it ever has. There are new signs and hanging baskets outside, the pub is clean, and the food looks good. On a Sunday afternoon, I doubt whether there is a busier pub in town. Five real ales now being sold means there is enough choice. Okay - Tetley's, Pedigree, Draught Bass, Theakston's Cool Cask and Wadworth 6X may not be the greatest selection, but compared to what was on offer a couple of years ago, i.e. nothing, it's a vast improvement. Tim Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep bitter have also been on sale there in the past few months.

A large post-war building, I doubt whether it has changed much since it was built. If you enter from Todmorden Road, you go straight into the main lounge. The bar is straight ahead, and is a good traditional dark wood bar. The entrance from Oxford Road takes you through a small tiled lobby with a pool room to the left, with a long leather bench around the wall, and a darts room to the right. Ample room in here for a game. There's also a big screen TV in here. The restaurant is at the opposite end of the lounge to Oxford Road, and behind the bar is arguably the best pub room in town. Read about it in the Burnley Pub Guide on this site, and if you've never been in it, give it a try.

The pub is well situated for Turf Moor. I know several people from outside Burnley who stop here for something to eat before a game, leave the car there and walk the half mile to the ground. It's also a good place to meet before starting a pub crawl.

Becko
April 2002

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