Church Inn, Flixton

The Church is a long established and busy community local. It stands next to the Norman church of St Michael’s and looks very much like a typical country pub, although it is on the fringe of a large and well developed urban area. Over the years the pub has expanded almost seamlessly into adjacent cottages.

One downside of its long history is that access for anyone using a wheelchair is well nigh impossible, with steps at both entrances and awkward, narrow corridors to the toilets. Those that can get in find it a friendly and busy pub with a variety of different spaces inside, reflecting the small rooms of the original cottages. Entering from the church, there are two small areas off to the left and a larger space to the right, which tend to be used by diners.

The bar runs along the back wall. Further along to the right there is an odd-shaped space broken up by remnants of interior walls and staircases. This is generally the serious drinkers' area. It has an exit to the car park and the toilet block.

Booking for meals is advisable, especially at weekends.

Card-carrying CAMRA members can claim a 10% discount on cask beers.

Don’t miss the pub’s "mystery object", the so-called Shell. This is a strange and antique piece of ironmongery, attached to the corner formed by the pub wall and the wall of the churchyard. It’s been there for at least a century and is thought to be a deterrent to anyone tempted to use that semi-sacred corner as a "pissoir" (to borrow a French term).