Wellington, Stockport (Wellington Free House)

Fronting the busy A6 road, and opposite the former Grand Central complex, this comfortable and welcoming pub was created out of two former shop units. The exterior has full-height windows either side of the entrance; these can be opened in warmer weather to create a cafe feel to the place. Inside you will find exposed structural steelwork married to bare brick walls, and sanded wooden flooring; these are coupled to displays of clocks (none showing the right time, incidently), bookshelves, old radios, and plenty of mirrors. Two wood-burning stoves add warmth in cooler periods. The front room has a mix of dining room furniture and sofas, then down three steps you get to the "Snubbery" which is a more intimate and relaxing space - this has sofas and coffee tables. This also gives access to the toilets, and to the outside drinking yard, dubbed the "Courtyard". A TV above the front room fireplace usually shows TV news with subtitles and the sound muted. Weekends see entertainment in the form of a DJ soul and Motown evening on Friday, and live artists performing on Saturdays. Note after 7pm on Fridays it is over 25s only, and no 'sportswear' is permitted.