Weekday Wander — Pie Eating in Wigan

The travel arrangements are a little broken as there are no trains direct from Manchester Piccadilly to any Wigan station and all journeys involve changing at either Bolton or Salford Crescent. Direct travel is an option to and from Manchester Victoria. There is also a route via Warrington Bank Key, but this offers little gain over the route suggested. Because of this disjointed travel we are departing a little earlier than normal.

Though advertised as a day out in Wigan eating pies (with the occasional beer as well) for those more adventurous there is also the Wigan Kebab!

The Raven Hotel is in the centre of Wigan and being but about 100 yards from Wigan Wallgate Station, is soon reached off the train. Built in 1904 as a commercial hotel but fell into dereliction before being renovated in 2012. This didn't entail ripping out the inside so many original features are retained, and replacements blend in. This update didn't jeopardise its Grade II listing which was originally granted in 1997. Home cooked food is available, featuring their own pies, and on Wednesday there is a Senior Citizen menu offering dishes priced at around £6. Four changing beers are available, some of which should be local as they are LocAle accredited.

Passing the Market Place we proceed down Market Street and Hallgate then right into an allyway, Jaxon's Court, to find Tap 'n' Barrel, a modern micro bar situated next to the bus station. The bar itself is split over three areas, the main bar, an upstairs seating area and a pleasant heated undercover back room. There are six handpulls on the bar, usually serving three cask ales and three boxed ciders, alongside one or two draft craft beers. Staff are friendly, welcoming and know about their selection of drinks available.

A little further down Hallgate and to the left, no doubt passing a pie shop, takes us to the Anvil on Dorning Street. A wide range of refreshments are available, with seven handpulls, ciders and continental lagers. There is also a garden out the back should the weather be clement. There is, however no mention of pies!

Returning past the church and heading back towards Wigan North Western Station we find our next outlet, Swan and Railway, snuggled up to the rail lines. Built in 1898 by WEV Crompton and winner of a Historic England Conservation Award. The interior is divided up into a number of rooms, and includes an impressive stained-glass window. Also of historic note is the working Bass handpump on the bar. Pies are available here until 8pm.

Here ends the 'official' Wander, but it would be rude not to cross the road and visit Wigan Central. "By heck!" you say, three stations in such a small town. No, though it is name after the closed and demolished Cheshire Lines Committee/Great Central Railway station, which was located (sort of) behind the Raven Hotel. This award-winning two-roomed pub has a railway-themed interior and serves up to seven real ales. A former Greater Manchester Pub of the Year and runner-up National Pub of the Year. Of great use to us is the live feed displaying arrival and departure times from both railway stations - so you can get that last pint in confident your train is delayed! Alas, no mention of pies.