Less than an hour's drive from Halifax, The Ferry Tavern pub is a real destination day out.
Dating back to 1762, it's set on its own island and surrounded by water - found on an island strip forged at Fiddlers Ferry when the Sankey Canal was first opened.
Called The Ferry due to the original licensee being the ferryman, where the pub stands today was once the main crossing for the River Mersey.
For the past 250 years, it has been a beacon of hospitality to thirsty travellers seeking refreshment - including, rumour has it, Oliver Cromwell.
Just as popular today as it ever was - particularly now that outdoor beer gardens in the UK have reopened - it's been packed in recent weeks with drinkers keen to sit on the river and watch the wildlife.
Run by the same family for nearly twenty years now, The Ferry Tavern has won awards for both its tasty ales and big-hearted community spirit.
First taken on by the new landlady's parents in 1992, today the daily operations of the place are overseen by Jade Mulholland and her husband Andy.
With plenty of seating, gorgeous views and a rather unique position, it's understandably become a popular choice now that beer gardens are allowed to reopen.
And with the added bonus of spotting porpoises and seals from your table, who wouldn't want to pay it a visit?
Equipped with a fantastic kitchen, the Mulholland's are holding off for further easing of restrictions in May to bring back their food offering.
For now, they're only serving weekend drinks whilst they ease back into everything - with week day openings announced ad hoc depending on the weather forecast.
Set on the Trans Pennine trail, it's an ideal stop off point for walkers and cyclists.
Visitors arriving by car can park on the other side of the canal, and then use the bridge over the water to access the pub.
Booking in advance is essential, with dates currently open until 16th May.
Feature image - The Ferry Tavern.
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Turnstile to play their only UK headline show this year at Halifax Piece Hall
Turnstile will headline the Halifax Piece Hall this summer, their only UK headline show.
The Grammy-winning hardcore group have just announced a very special show at historic venue the Halifax Piece Hall.
As part of the venue's huge summer season, Turnstile will take to the stage on Wednesday 26 August marking a whopping 41 shows at the Piece Hall's calendar so far.
The group pulled huge crowds at Glastonbury festival last year and scooped up two Grammy Awards earlier this month, using their platform to thank fans who "swung in the dark" with them.
Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL FRSA, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, says: “2026 will see Turnstile playing at some of the world’s most iconic festivals and then here in Halifax at UK’s most iconic heritage venue.”
“We always aim to deliver for the full spectrum of music lovers in Calderdale and knowing how passionate our rock and metal community is, this gig will be off the scale – truly unmissable!”
Alongside Turnstile, Halifax Piece Hall will welcome the likes of Hollywood Vampires, Paul Weller, Bowling For Soup, Skunk Anansie, Garbage, Empire of the Sun, Sex Pistols, Mcfly, CMAT and Jimmy Eat World this summer. What a season it's going to be.
Baltimore’s hardcore heroes will head to West Yorkshire to play TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall on Wednesday August 26.
Tickets go on sale this Friday 27 February at 10am, and you can get your tickets here.
Find out more about what's going on at the Halifax Piece Hall this summer here.
This iconic Leeds pub is selling 25p pints for the weekend alongside a 70’s-inspired menu
Clementine Hall
Whitelock's Ale House in Leeds are turning back the clocks for four days only.
Ever fancied giving time travel a go? Well now's your chance, as a historic Leeds pub are looking back to time gone by for the weekend.
Whitelock's Ale House are collaborating with Double Diamond beer, an iconic British pale ale made popular in the 70's and now somewhat having a resurgence.
From this Thursday 26 February until Sunday 1 March 2026, pints of Double Diamond will be available for just 25p.
Yep, you can't even get a Freddo for 25p these days let alone a cold, refreshing pint.
Guests will be able to grab their first pint of Double Diamond for 25p along with a nostalgic specials menu from the Whitelock's kitchen.
And if you know anything about their food, it's always class so this specials menu will be absolutely no exception.
The specials menu includes a french onion quiche, a coronation chicken sandwich, gammon, pineapple, egg and chips and to top it all off, a raspberry Swiss roll with custard.
You can get three courses for just £30 and you can either pre-order or order individually when you're there.
This is set to be a real blast from the past, so rally your mates together and prepare for a trip down memory lane and for what could be the cheapest pint of your life.
You can find out more and book your table at Whitelock's Ale House here.
Georgina Pellant -
5th May 2021 
