There are tuns of good reasons to visit the Cross House Inn in Formby
FORMBY’S Cross House Inn stands prominently facing a local landmark: a roundabout with a Grade II listed stone cross, writes Neville Grundy.
The pub has five separate areas served by a long bar, and extensive wood panelling creates an old-style atmosphere.
On the bar were six real ales: Morland Old Speckled Hen; Salopian Lemon Dream; Greene King Abbott; Greene King IPA: Rock The Boat Bootle Bull; and Salamander Ruffled Feathers Blond Bitter.
The three beers I had were all in good condition; my favourite was the Lemon Dream.
There were also five real ciders: Black Dragon; Devon Mist; Rosie Pigg; Lilley’s Apples & Pears; and Lilley’s Sunset.
The guest beers change regularly and tend to come from local breweries.
Other drinks include a good wine selection, a choice of gins, and a range of coffees.
When I visited, there were quite a few people enjoying the food, which is served every day until 10pm; there are also Sunday roast and children’s menus.
However it isn’t just about a food, and the bar areas were busy with customers who had just come in for a few drinks. Dogs are permitted in the bar area.
There are numerous special promotions and events. Every Monday all cask ales are £2.50. Monday to Thursday features a Golden Years menu, there is a curry banquet every Wednesday, Thursday evening is quiz night, and on Fizz Friday you can buy two glasses of Prosecco for £5.
Live music features on the last Saturday of the month.
There are several TV screens around the pub for sport, but the sound was off when I was there.
They are holding a Hallowe’en children’s party on Sunday, October 30 in the afternoon.
There is extensive outdoor seating, including a covered balcony, and a large car park.
The Cross House is is in Three Tuns Lane, Cross Green, Formby L37 4BH – about half a mile from Formby station – but buses stop right outside, including the X2 and 47 Liverpool to Southport services.
Opening hours are MondayThursday 11am to 11pm, Friday 11am to midnight, Saturday 10am to midnight, Sunday 10am to 11pm. The pub is on Facebook. Phone: 01704 873775. Camra’s Merseyside and Cheshire regional meeting is at the Cricketers pub in Ormskirk on Saturday, October 15 at 12.30pm.
The local Camra website is: www.southport.camra.org.uk.
Previous Camra pub reviews in this paper are available at tinyurl.com/vis-pubs