please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This place just glows with warmth and is stuffed full of interesting features (see earlier comments). A glorious pub with excellent ales; when you leave it, admire what remains of the architecture of the old Central Station opposite.
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Don’t be put off by the tacky neon signage on the front, this is an absolute must visit pub for anyone who appreciates the kind of pub that are fast becoming museum pieces. The pub dates back to 1811 and the interior is largely unspoilt (the pub is part of the CAMRA Inventory) with plenty to admire, all the more impressive given that there was, I believe, a serious fire here in the 1970’s. The front bar is fairly shallow and quite dimly lit with an ornate patterned ceiling. To the left, snaking around the bar to the rear is a magnificent tiled corridor containing paintings commemorating the 1819 Peterloo Massacre. Off the corridor at the back are 2 smaller rooms with several interesting features – numbered doors (as per the original licensing laws), original fireplaces, gas light fittings, calling bells etc. The lighting is kept low and somber, replicating what it would have been like in the days when it was gas lit. Service is through a small hatch in the corridor at the back of the main bar.
My visit revolved around the Jennings Cumberland and Robinsons Unicorn which, from the other reports, appear to be the mainstays however the pumps are quite spread out and it was not until I was leaving that I noted 2 further pumps so I reckon I missed out on some further choices. They also claim to have over 300 whiskies. There are several interesting displays of old jugs, bottles, cigarette cards etc dotted about. I found the service first rate although it may appear to be a bit stuffy to some – the place is frequented by classical musicians from the nearby Bridgwater Hall which gives it a bit of an eltist feel although I did not feel unwelcome despite wearing a football shirt at the time. No TV’s or music as far as I could see which would only spoil the ambience. A top pub all round and very nearly maximum points from me but I would need to have a couple more visits to justify it…and they should get rid of those neon signs!
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Enjoyed a tip-top pint of Robbies Unicorn here earlier this week. A brilliant, traditional pub with a splendid interior and a warm welcome. At one time I associated this pub with high prices, but many pubs have caught-up and it's now (Holts and Sammy Smiths excepted) near the city-centre norm. Well worth a visit and long my it survive the 'developers' - aka architectural vandals.
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I concur, a beautiful pub, prices are steep & the service somewhat formal.
I hope it's not going to be lost with redevelopment
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Not without charm and, on the plus side a nice garden and plenty of whisky. On the downside, the service can be very stuffy, food limited in availability and the prices stiff.
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Great tradition pub. I counted four real ales and it claims to serve 200 different whiskies. Could only stay for one but enjoyed my brief visit.
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Great tradition pub. I counted four real ales and it claims to serve 200 different whiskies. Could only stay for one but enjoyed my brief visit.
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Superb old school pub, great choice of ales and I think I counted eight different choices of Jack D last time I looked. Nice untouched interior and a decent garden to the rear, pretty busy in the evening.
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Basil introduced me to this, and when I arrived my eyes popped out even more than the first time Basil took me home! Whilst I am generally into gin, my head was turned by the hundreds of whiskeys they have.
Basil also enjoys a tipple, but was most complimentary about the beers too. There are many attractive nooks and crannies and it is a very comfortable place to chat, except after concerts, when half of Bridgewater Hall ends up here.
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Actually, it's a Punch Taverns leasehold so not a freehouse at all - sorry to disappoint.
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Another fine traditional Manchester pub, established in 1831, a short distance away from the Peveril of the Peak.
The Britons Protection boasts a multi -roomed interior with a splendid tiled corridor, for which it earns a place in CAMRA's National Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors. Its badged as a Tetleys pub, but it's a free house and Robinsons Unicorn and Jennings were among the guest beers available on my visit
Very convenient if you're staying at Jurys Hotel - it's next door !
Close also to the Concert Hall, this pub is worth seeking out
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The staff of this website seem to be very unconcerned about blatant spam. Is there anybody there???
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Absolutely fantastic pub which has to be included in any crawl down this area of Manchester. Always a good crowd and a decent selection of ales. Think they do meals but I have only ever had sandwiches - these are good value. Near to the Temple and the Peveril of the Peak. Open til 12 on a weekend.
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Well kept, oddly shaped pub with nice beers and authentic decor.
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Recent visit reminded me what an individual pub this is and must be sought out on a pub crawl or visit to Manchester. The beer garden at the back is a great unknown, even to many time served Manchester drinkers (and recommended if summers arrives). Good choice of beers and other drinks. Had the Jennings at the end of a recent crawl.
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Super homely pub with small rooms and great atmosphere. Robinsons Unicorn, Jennings Cumberland amongst several hand pulls, and top quality.
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Super pub, check out the Peterloo prints on the wall, good beer to boot!
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Manchester has many excellent pubs and this is certainly amongst them. You'd think it was a one room boozer until you need to go to the toilet and then you find yourself sticking your head into all these other little chambers. Quite a treat. Nice beer garden at the back as well. Beer excellent. The barman who looks like Avid Merrion even drew us a map to get to the Lass o'Gowrie. I don't drink whisky but if I did I could stop here for a year and never drink the same one twice.
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Magnificent pub of its type. Extraordinary fittings, beautifully preserved. Decent range of beer, huge range of whiskies, wonderfully warm back rooms lit with proper fires, friendly service and best of all, next door to the hotel we had picked at random!
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Been so good for so many years, it just goes to show what can be done when you keep it simple and just be consistent. Check out the highly polished copper pipes in the Gent's Loo. Just like everything else in the pub, first class
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Top class ancient boozer where the ale is looked after well. Not to be missed.
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One of the best 'pubs' in Manchester!
Beer range is great and it is difficult to have a bad pint and is just up from the Peveril, so makes a good starting point for a crawl around Castlefield
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A lovely interior, which I was able to fully appreciate during a quiet Saturday afternoon, my pint of Castle Rock Cromwell was excellent too. It would be absolutely ridiculous if this building is dismantled and rebuilt elsewhere, a complete wast of time and scandalous if anyone is even considering it.
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a must when in manc, sends a warm glow flowing through me at the thought of the welcoming decor and ambience, cracking ale, expert staff, belting!!!!
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Great looking pub both externally and inside with a well stocked bar. The layout isn’t very practical for the area in which it now finds itself and once all the suits arrive after work it can get a bit uncomfortable. Good beer good service and definitely worth a visit.
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It's a really great atmosphere in the Britons! Great character and full of great characters! The lounge rooms layout encourages social interaction with (gasp) fellow drinkers that you don't necessarily already know! Hope they DON'T move it along the street to make way for superflouous citycentre flats, but if they do i hope it's not closed for long... A must visit!
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They are planning to move it literally a few feet to square it up onto the main raod...a complete and utter costly waste of time. A disgrace that some1 could prefer (yet more) unafforadble trendy flats to this unique (grade 2 listed) gem of a pub!!! utter disgrace, i'll be there chaining myself to the bar-rail believe me...!
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I think they're planning to rebuild it brick by brick somewhere else (much like Sinclairs etc were).
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UPDATE - There are rumours that the Britons is going to be knocked down to make way for (yet more) swanky flats. SAVE THE BRITONS!!
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Always a great place for a pint at the end of the working day, a cold Saturday afternoon, a hot summers evening. Never had a bad pint in the Brit's, great staff, not overly pricey for the edge of the city centre.
Watch out for mad late middle-aged men with bad attitudes, no manners, and guitar cases (little tin Hitler's who think anyone under 40 are scum, basically).
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Had the great pleasure of a visit to this pub recently after many years away. Miss the charismatic past landlord but the place is as beautiful as ever. Polished wood, comfy, traditional, good beer. Somewhat impersonal but then it is a city centre pub. Occasionally seems to be closed for private parties so don't plan your whole night around getting in. Long may it survive.
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Yet another superb Manchester pub. How do they do it ?
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Classic layout, fine selection of whiskies, good wellkept beer... A gem.
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This is one of the best pubs in England, always good beer and huge selection of whiskies. It does get full but the crowd are very pleasant - no idiots in here. Try to get a spot in the snug at the back of the pub.
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Not as good as it used to be. Food ropey. Beer good, atmosphere changeable. Beautiful interior, probably needs to be a little more relaxed to be appreciated properly.
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One of the best pubs in Manchester, with its cosy snugs and old fashioned feel. Great beer and a great crowd, with the odd acoustic music night on upstairs to really take you away from the commerciality of nearby Manchester bars.
anonymous - 16 Sep 2005 19:56 |
Good selection of real ales and well kept, with pleasant relaxing atmosphere in attractively traditional surroundings
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The photo that accompanies this description was taken on the afternoon of the World Cup Qualifier England v Northern Ireland, thats why for the same reason it looks closed, due to its close proximity to the G-Mex tram stop that goes to Old Trafford it will probably look closed to everyone who passes on a saturday afternoon. However, later it is open, as is Peveril of the Peak just round the corner, both superb pubs and if you are going to the Superleague Grand Final this year, or any year, be sure to drop into both.
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regarding comment by altfish, take his comments on board, last time I tried the Britons, was England v Wales at Old Trafford and Manchester City Centre was a bad place to be in that night.
Look forward to trying the Britons on another night out in Manchester
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Proper pub feel, top ale and friendly staff. Just gets better with age!!!!
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Just read the comment about it being a Private Members Club or something of that sort.
No it isn't, but they do shut the doors when the football crowds are dispersing. So if you have struggled to get in on a Saturday evening at about 5:00pm that could be the reason.
Cracking pub, please frequent it, don't let them change it.
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Atmosphere was great.Decent beer too
James - 18 Nov 2004 15:14 |
is this a private members club, last couple of times i have been in manchester on a saturday night the doors have been locked, even though there seems room inside, anybody putting this pub on their list of pubs to visit at weekend beware of the fact they may not let you in.
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Top pub for atmosphere, ale and ambience. Well woth going the extra quarter mile if yopu're in the City centre.
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Friendly atmosphere, great for before/after a concert at the bridgewater hall, good hand-pulled bitters. Very cozy.
Rick - 2 Feb 2004 23:55 |
Great pub, great beer and a selection of spirits to die for. Food excellent also.
Stephen - 16 Nov 2003 14:37 |
Cracking beers, ever changing handpull selection, well kept. Decent filter coffee, too.
Small front bar area is deceptive - look round the back of the bar to find two decent sized rooms, both with real fires. You don't even need to walk back to the front of the bar to be served, as there are two serving areas on the back of the bar!
Beware the toilets, however - original Victorian fittings, not as well kept as I would have expected from the rest of the place, and very cold in winter.
Andy - 9 Jun 2003 09:06 |
