I agree with its aesthetic look it is a tired pub and in need of some new paint on the walls etc but apart from that I cant fault the ale and i think it has natural charm and character, I used to drink just bottles when I came here but now the real ale is some of the best around with loads of guest ales that you dont usually get at other pubs. If your into your live music ( rock, metal ) then its the place to go. On another note the punters in there are some of the most genuine people ive met and you always hear some great and funny storiesCalled in here for the first time despite living in Bolton for over 7 years. A good choice of cask ales, the Cumberland was well kept. However the put itself is far from endearing, with peeling wallpaper and a general decrepit look. The toilet has broken tiles, graffiti and no soap, dryer or handtowel. Due to this, although the beer was good I can't recommend the pub sadly.The real ale in here has come on in leaps and bounds recently. I had the aptly named 'Dogs Bollox' the other week and was amazed at how good it was! A few years ago we had to put up with the bog standard and disgusting 'Burtonwood' but now the revolving guest ale and new handpumps have been an excellent inclusion. Cheers

Having only been here once before it re-opened I cant really comment on the food service at present. However when I did go I found it quite charming and had a nice relaxed afternoon with friends and relatives. My only gripe being that the pub only served beer from the Cains (Liverpool) Brewery.

I must try it again seeing as it has re-opened. What real ale is available since the re-opening?After three more visits...I refer to my previous review from Nov 2010, whilst the food is lovely (I rate it at the best pub food in this area) and the real ale is excellent too, I'm afraid the service still continues to let the pub down. On two of the occasions when the pub was relatively quiet the food took an excessive amount of time to arrive (Note: I'm quite prepared to wait for freshly cooked food) and specific requests were not followed.
There seems to be a lack of communication between the young serving staff and the kitchen. I'm sure if the management read this they can review and sort it out, as it's a shame when the food quality is excellent. It is great to see this renowed pub back in business , it has been closed and through a disappointing period, but is one of the most famous pubs in the region, it has its own railway station for good measure, there does not appear to be anybody else living round there!

Visited early Jan 2011 and was not disappointed, first visit for about 2 years when it was in decline. Had Black Sheep and the menu was extensive - you are not going to get the vast range larger pubs can offer, but its certainly quality over quantity. Advise any old regulars to pay a vsit, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Went into the Crown the other day for Lunch, noticed they had a 5 rating from the Food Standards Agency, so doopyyoung1 obviously doesn't know what he is talking about. The food was excellent.This is the best pub in Horwich. It is a safe welcome pub with excellent beer that has been in the Good Beer Guide for the last 12 consecutive years. The landlord and landlady are first class managers and personally contribute to the community in charitable capacities.not bad for the only gay in the village, but had a better pint of holts in the albert.
Not right for a holts managed house, atmosphere good for cocoon 4 .

I could not agree more with boltonbloke. The management of this pub is a disgrace to the licenced trade. I notice the previous poster has only posted on this pub and no other, rather lacks credibitity, doesn't it?
landlady is always pissed and no longer fit to run a pub, fact. I understand you are probally a regular and feel the need to defend her out of some miss guided loyalty but you reaaly are wasting your time. Anyone who goes in this pub can see it for themselvesThis pub is an authentic local with a selection of well kept beers and at week end can become quite lively. It has a good mix of people and ages. If you know it is busy on Friday night, and you don't like it why go in? There are plenty of pubs in Horwich where you would be guaranteed a space at the bar.
Some reviewers [bolton bloke & yamoto] have been rather unkind and somewhat insulting, with personal comments about the Landlady.
It has to be the best pub in Horwich and Eileen the landlady has been in charge for over 20 years so she must know what she is doing.
Being the best pub in Horwich may not be high praise, but it is the best we have. May I respectfully suggest that bolton bloke & yamoto excercise their consumers right to spend their money in a place which is more suited to their taste and keep their snide comments to themselves.

THE GOOD - Smart interior in the style of a city centre wine bar. Great food, and first class service.

THE BAD - Horrendous beer prices for supermaket lager.

THE UGLY - Permatanned chavettes hoping to bag a BWFC player.really like the courtyard - they've been very artistic with the outside space and the interior is much nicer than before, however ... don't get too comfy ... the prices are exorbitant so make sure it's not your round when you get there ... Oh, and don't spend too much outside unless you want to stink of woodsmoke - great concept with the open fire but really need to use smokeless fuel!Now "The Courtyard Wine Bar". Basic floorplan is more or less as before though the bar has moved backwards into what was previously the small room with the dartboard. Could do with more seating. No cask beer. Most punters seemed to be on lager rather than wine! Another pub option, I guess.

Without doubt the best beer for miles. Four handpumps with three guest beers on offer, all of which have been of a consistently high quality. About time that we had somewhere to enjoy a decent pint in pleasant surroundings, and without being disturbed by the detritus inhabiting some of Horwich's more shady establishments.great to see it open again ... needed a pub en route to the top end of horwich ... no riff raff, bit pricey but not as bad as the bridge ... hope it goes well!see the gobshite from the bridge is doing really well, and the albert is very busy never seen him with his hands in his pants though just busy pulling pints, well done mate keep it up.