Racecourse, Lower Kersal

A mighty brewers’ Tudor pub built 1930 for Groves and Whitnall on the banks of the River Irwell and near to the Manchester Racecourse, which closed in 1963. A 'G&W' monogram with the pub date is visible over the front door.

This huge pub has a little altered planform although some of the fittings have been replaced. Both lobbies have inter-war tiled walls and the main entrance has, unusually, a revolving door. The wood panelled hall runs to the open staircase at the rear and off to the left is a large public bar with one of the largest island bar counters in the country, which, sadly is a replacement and a large plain skylight above. On the right at the end of a wide wood panelled passage is the Vault with old bench seating but new bar fittings. A small completely wood panelled room at the rear left retains original seating. There are delightful stained glass details in many windows. The gents' retains its six original Doulton urinals. The pub won the CAMRA/English Heritage refurbishment award for 2005.