Golden Lion, Todmorden

Located alongside the Rochdale Canal, this is the oldest pub in the town and boasts a handsome rendered frontage. The spacious interior has undergone many alterations over recent decades, sometimes enforced by the effects of flooding, and now offers a variety of spaces on two levels. The stone-flagged central bar has two rooms off to the left, one of which has a pool table although this may be not be in use during evening events. There is a large raised area to the right which eventually leads out to a suntrap patio area, and also a room upstairs which may be available for functions when not in use for musical events.

The pub has a strong community appeal and is the meeting place for various local groups. During the afternoons the pub is a relaxed hangout for all ages, with Wednesdays featuring a popular mahjong session, and the excellent Thai food provided by The Three Lady Chefs on-site kitchen is an added attraction for many customers. The six ales offered usually feature a range of styles from breweries in Yorkshire and the North West. Note that cask ale prices are significantly reduced on Tuesdays, on which no further discount is available.

Evenings are rather livelier, and the pub has become well-known for its live music and celebrity DJ events – Jarvis Cocker, Don Letts and Kevin Rowland have played sets here, amongst many others. Entrance charges naturally apply for these, although music of one form or another will be playing at other times too.