Across the road, go down a flight of steps and we are in the Queens Hotel , now privately owned, Camra Good Beer Guide listed and with an interesting history, it being used as an art college evacuated from London during the second world war and subsequently as a Youth Hostel. The bar has Jennings Bitter, Boddingtons Bitter and Theakston XB plus two regularly changing, often local, guest beers. There are two non-smoking dining rooms. This was originally a shop, which became a restaurant with a table licence called the Copper Coins with a full licence, then a pub. Subsequently renamed the Sportsman, it was recently bought by Thwaites of Blackburn two of whose beers are usually available on hand pump.
Sky is on for major matches.
Late very loud disco at weekends. Turn left from the entrance, retrace your steps and turn left past the Tourist Information Office into North Road. Exit left, up the hill then left down the first yard and into the back door of The Golden Rule , our final port of call. There is no pool, no machines, no bar meals. The only noise is lively conversation and thus the pub attracts those who like to talk with their beer and hear the replies.