Pub of the Season

Our Spring “Pub of the Season” is the venerable Axe & Cleaver in Dunham Massey. Famous as a food-led pub in Greene King's “Chef & Brewer” estate, it has been dispensing fine ale since the early part of the 19th century. The exact date of opening is not known but it is thought to have been first licensed under one of the Beerhouse Acts of either 1830 or 1840. The pub still has on display a photo of the original building which certainly suggests the late Georgian era.

Today the pub is run by manager Neil and assistant manager Talia, along with Paul (cellarman, beer selector and all-round ale guru), and a huge crew of cooks and waiting staff. The clientele ranges from walkers and visitors to the Dunham Massey estate to boat and narrowboat travellers on the nearby Bridgewater Canal, and of course, innumerable wakes and memorial functions in connection with Altrincham Crematorium (the record is four wakes in one day, at carefully staggered intervals).

But local people still drop in for a pint - it is still very much a Public House where you don't have to dine to have a drink. You may have to stand around the north end of the bar, or by the back entrance to the pub, to avoid being run over by energetic waitrons (to use a good South African word). Or you can take your pint out the gardens - a popular spot at sunset, with views out over farmers' fields.

The beers today are all from the Greene King range; sadly, the pub is no longer able to buy directly from the nearby Dunham Massey Brewery. Typical beers include Axe & Cleaver Bitter (thought to be brewed to the recipe for the old Hardy's & Hanson's Bitter), and Morland Original Bitter.

At the back of the pub there's a substantial but disused building, the old stables. Within living memory there was a function room here, and a bowling green behind it.
Please join us on Saturday 9th May, from 12 noon onwards, when Trafford & Hulme CAMRA will be presenting a well earned Pub of the Season certificate to the Axe & Cleaver.

Our Pub Of The Season for Autumn 2025 is Head, Chester Road, Stretford.

This modern bar opened on the front of Stretford Mall facing Chester Road in 2018. Despite the challenges of global pandemics and the ongoing redevelopment of the Mall site behind it, it has quietly established itself as an important hub of the Stretford community and kept going while other bars & restaurants in the area have sadly fallen by the wayside. It plays host to mumerous local pub darts and pool teams but it's key USP is it's regular programme of music nights - both DJs and live music.

The focus on music is no suprise to those that know owner James "Gib" Gibson who has been playing solo and in bands around the Manchester area for over 20 years, during which time he also cut his teeth working in many bars in Chorlton and Manchester before branching out on his own with Head. 

Of course, to be CAMRA Pub of The Season, something else Head has always done well is beer. From the outset the bar has sold two cask ales alongside a range of quality draft beers from local breweries. the cask pumps regularly feature beers from Timothy Taylor, RedWillow and Pomona Island while there are permanent keg lines for Cloudwater & Pomona Island plus several guests. 

Although actually the award for the Autumn season, the certificate was presented on 21st August - just before the official start of Autumn.  

Our Winter Pub of the Season 2023/24 goes to......

As usual, you're always guaranteed a great pint! That's why this cracking pub has won CAMRA award after award and this is no exception.

A welcoming bar in Whalley Range with 5 hand pumps offering a range of strengths & usually something dark, as well as selection of craft keg and imported German beers. The ales are sourced locally & further afield, recently they hosted a Verdant tap takeover.

The winner is - Hillary Step

Join us on Thursday 15th February for the Award, and the launch of their house beer, brewed in collaboration with Blackjack brewery who will be there to celebrate with them.

Come and join us at 199 Upper Chorlton Road, Manchester M16 0BH

Congratulations to Costello’s Bar Altrincham

Are the winners of our Pub Of The Season Autumn 2023.

The award was presented to the Manager and Assistant Manager, Jack and Olly, by our outgoing and new Chair.

At the time of the presentation Jack was serving his last few shifts as Manager. Lucy from Costello’s Bar Times Square, Warrington, has taken over the top job at Costello’s Bar Altrincham.
It is very much a case of welcome back Lucy! Lucy used work in their Altrincham bar before taking on the role as Manager at their Times Square bar. Trafford and Hulme CAMRA wish Jack all the best for the future after serving customers for 12 years at Costello’s Bar Altrincham.

This is the third award we have presented to this venue this year, in January they were presented our Special Award for being in the Good Beer Guide for 10 consecutive years and then in May they were awarded our Runner-Up Pub Of The Year 2023. Plus, all the other awards that the bar and brewery has won over the years.

Well done to all the team!

At the Branch Meeting on the 7th March 2023 the Old Roebuck was selected as the branch Spring Pub of the Season.

A  tradional style pub which retains its individual rooms giving it a cosy.feel especially during the cooler spring evenings, making it a great place to enjoy some of the varied food on offer accompanied by one or perhaps more of the three cask ales usually on offer.

Join us on Tuesday 4th April for the presentation evening.