CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Join Us
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo

Head of Steam, Didsbury

You have visited this venue
View all visits
Directions
You want to visit - You have this in
Cask Ale
Opens at Noon
Real ale discount scheme
653 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 6QZ (View on Google Map)
(0161) 434 7259
Email
Website
X (Twitter)
Facebook

Pleasantly refurbished in early 2018 with pine wood fixtures and fittings, there are three or four booths down the right side directly opposite the very long bar. Most of the other seating is of the high variety, but there is plenty of room for vertical drinking in the area around the bar. Bare-boards, large rivets, and lots of filament bulbs seems to be the theme. An interesting photo montage of Cameron's Brewery and of Didsbury line the walls of the stairway to the upstairs loos. All draught products on the bar are advertised on two TV screens that act as a scrolling menu. Any draught beer can be put into a can for takeaway, this attracts a 20% discount. A coralled off area at the outside front allows for alfresco drinking in finer weather. They offer all-day food (till 9pm), a large selection of cask ales, plus real cider, and many bottled beers.

Historic Interest

Reopened on 1/2/2018 as the Head of Steam; the previous incarnation, Sanctuary closed 1/11/2013 following collapse of owners the Bramwell Pub Co. Prior to that it was the Varsity for a number of years, then owners Barracuda decided to take it upmarket. The result was a very smart interior in calming light colours, a good mix of casual dining, and tables just for folk wanting a drink.

Information for this venue is provided by the Stockport & South Manchester Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Sanctuary; Varsity
Local Authority
Manchester District (B)
Last updated
Last surveyed
28/06/2022
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Camerons Brewery
Pub ID
MAS/4426
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Noon - 11:00pm
Tuesday
1:30pm - 11:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 11:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 11:00pm
Friday
Noon - Midnight
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
Sunday
Noon - 10:00pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
No Service
Wednesday
4:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
4:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
1:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
1:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday
1:00pm - 9:00pm
TasteMatch

Unlock TasteMatch and all of CAMRA’s online tools from just 99p/month with our Explorer Pass, or join as a member to get the best of pubs, beer and breweries plus discounts at the bar.

Current beers

This Pub serves 6 changing beers and 0 regular beers.

Changing

guest beers usually sourced from micro-brewers

Changing beers typically include: Camerons (varies)

Source: Regional

Your scores

Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.
Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Live Music Live Music
live jazz music on Tuesday evening, and at weekends
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Events Events
quiz every Wed
Function Room Function Room
Smoking Smoking
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Member Discount Scheme Member Discount Scheme
CAMRA members 20p discount per pint / 10p discount per half on all cask ales.
Transport
Close to bus routes
23, 42, 42A, 142, 171, 270, 42B
Close to metro (200m)
Didsbury Village
Closest station (1100m)
Burnage
Directions
on B5093, jct Barlow Moor Rd

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Explore the local area

Curated guides are specially put together for your enjoyment! These trips are crafted by specialists along with dedicated volunteers with local knowledge.

Premium Guide
Manchester Heritage Tour
Heritage Pubs

Manchester Heritage Tour

40 Minutes 7 curated stops

Selection of our most historically and architecturally interesting pubs serving cask ales.

Premium Guide
Manchester Bars & Beer Cafes
Trendy

Manchester Bars & Beer Cafes

50 Minutes 8 curated stops

Selection of more modern beer venues including great cask AND keg options.

Total Walking 3 miles

Premium Guide
Manchester - Piccadilly Area Tour
Famous Breweries

Manchester - Piccadilly Area Tour

45 Minutes 9 curated stops

Selection of pubs from the Piccadilly Area of the city. A few of a famous breweries are based at the back of Piccadilly and this tour makes the most of these.

Total Walking 2.5 miles

Nearby

Station - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 20-06-2009
Closed • Opens at Noon
Station
Pub, in Didsbury
2 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
O'Neills - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 14-06-2013
Closed • Opens at Noon
Dockyard
Independent Pub, in Didsbury

Cask Ale not available

Slug & Lettuce - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-03-2011
Closed • Opens at Noon
Slug & Lettuce
Pub, in Didsbury

Cask Ale not available

Dog & Partridge - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 20-06-2009
Closed • Opens at Noon
Dog & Partridge
Pub, in Didsbury
1 Regular, 3 Changing Beers
Saints & Scholars - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-03-2011
Closed • Opens at 9:00am
Saints & Scholars
Pub, in Didsbury

Cask Ale not available

Nelson - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-03-2011
Closed • Opens at 11:00am
Nelson
Craft Union Pub Co (Stonegate) Pub, in Didsbury
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
Didsbury - Wishing Well 2023 04 17. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-05-2023
Wishing Well
Pub, in Didsbury

Cask Ale not available

OKitchen 2018 - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 09-02-2018
Closed • Opens at Noon
OKitchen
Pub, in Didsbury

Cask Ale not available

Art of Tea - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 26-03-2011
Closed • Opens at 9:00am
Art of Tea
Pub, in Didsbury
2 Changing Beers
Fletcher Moss - Didsbury. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 29-07-2011
Closed • Opens at Noon
Fletcher Moss
Pub, in Didsbury
4 Regular, 2 Changing Beers

Recently Viewed

(Pub). Published on 15-09-2014
Closed • Opens at 11:00am
Elmridge Arms
Pub, in Skelmersdale

Cask Ale not available

Published on 18-12-2018
Closed • Opens at Noon
Boat House
Pub, in Tewkesbury

Cask Ale not available

(External). Published on 14-06-2015
Closed • Opens at 4:00pm
Plough Inn
Independent Pub, in Marsh Gibbon
1 Regular, 2 Changing Beers
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Blonde Barrel Bar & Kitchen
Pub, in Newcastle upon Tyne

Cask Ale not available

Published on 17-07-2013
Closed • Opens at 3:00pm
Black Bull
Pub, in East Halton

Cask Ale not available

Pub. (Pub). Published on 28-08-2017
Closed • Opens at 2:00pm
Newcome Arms
Pub, in Portsmouth
1 Regular Beer
Enniskillen Hotel
Pub, in Enniskillen

Cask Ale not available

Published on 11-04-2015
Closed • Opens at 11:00am
Penny Theatre
Pub, in Canterbury
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA voucher scheme
Railway Inn. (Pub, External). Published on 09-07-2013
Closed • Opens at Noon
Railway Inn
Pub Solutions Pub, in Dawlish

Cask Ale not available

Pub Walk Shoes Icon

Love Cask Beer?

Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.

Become a member
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2026 (inst-a1d1538e-a59e-4815-8cb3-fe2f3fa53282-3374504-app-54457q4zp)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Home

Privacy Overview

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.

Necessary

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. More information

Non-Necessary (Analytics)

These cookies help us to improve your web experience. They allow us to gather feedback on your behaviour and to show adverts relevant to you. You can turn this off here.

Cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.