Maine Road, Beswick

The CAMRA pub guide "Ale of Two Cities" published in 1990 said of the Britannia "If Greenall Whitley had had their way, this pub would be just a memory, overshadowed by gasholders and separated by a busy main road from the nearest housing, it was, they thought an anachronism so they put it on the market. Fortunately JW Lees bought it and it's now living proof that if you run a better pub the world will beat a path to your door. A compact building, the Britannia comprises of two public rooms separated by a central bar. The L-shaped vault with panelled seating has darts both boards and an ever-present television which however manages not to overpower conversation. For a bit more room and perhaps for a game of pool use the lounge. Both rooms are kept in spotless condition and have a warm and friendly atmosphere with plenty of local gossip. One regular is a keen amateur cartoonist, so call in enough times to be known, and you could be immortalized for good. The outside drinking area is really no more than a back yard, but rustic furnishings lend an atmosphere and while there is no view, you might hear a freight train rumbling past on the Ashburys Philips Park line." In 1899 it was acquired with Henry Cardwell's Brewery, it thus became a Wilsons Brewery house, originally it was called the Rowsley Arms.