Ed Bromley, the landlord of the Davenport Arms in Woodford, Stockport, likens a good pub to a cup of tea. "It's there for every occasion," he says. And this weekend, the Chester Road venue proved the point by hosting Robinsons Brewery's shire horses - among the last working Shires in the British brewing industry.
Traditionally, Shires were used to deliver ales to local inns and move bottles and cases between breweries before the arrival of the internal combustion engine. Today, they are based at the Stockport brewery's stables and compete in shows across the country.
A family trade
Ed is a third-generation publican. His grandfather entered the pub trade more than 60 years ago, becoming landlord of the Holly Bush in Bollington before taking on The Church Inn in Cheadle Hulme, which has been in the family for over 50 years. Ed's father, Simon Bromley, ran the pub until passing it on to Ed in 2021. Ed then took on the tenancy of the Davenport Arms in 2023. "Hospitality really is in my blood," he says.
The Thief's Neck
Known locally as The Thief's Neck, the pub sits in the heart of the historic village of Woodford, whose history dates back to the Domesday Book in 1086. The nickname is linked to a centuries-old tree that once stood outside and was said to have been used as a place of justice for thieves. Ed says the Davenport family reportedly had permission from the King to hang convicted thieves on the estate, something very few landowners were allowed to do. "It's a fascinating part of the pub's heritage, even if it's a little dark!"
The venue is described as a traditional country pub with a beer garden for sunny days, log fires in winter, and a reputation for freshly cooked pub food and Sunday roasts.
Scotch Egg Week and a best-selling bitter
Aside from the horses, the Davenport Arms is known for a varied line-up of events. Its most unusual, Ed says, is Scotch Egg Week. "Without a doubt, Scotch Egg Week! It started in our first year as a bit of fun around the Easter holidays, we put on a selection of different flavour Scotch eggs, there's even a chocolate one! Everyone loved it, and every year it's grown bigger and bigger."
When it comes to drinks, the best-seller is Robinsons' classic bitter Unicorn. "Our regulars absolutely love it, and it's by far our best-selling ale," Ed says.
Celebrities and community
The pub has welcomed a fair share of familiar faces over the years. Ed says they try to let them enjoy the pub like everyone else without fuss. "At the end of the day, they're here to relax, just like any other customer."
What does Ed love about the local community? "It's how much they genuinely care about the pub. When we first took on the tenancy, the support from the local community was incredible and it's never stopped." Whether it's the annual hog roast before the Woodford Bonfire, the Christmas Eve party, or a summer event, the village comes together. "We'd like to think we've helped make the pub the focal point of the community, and that's something we're really proud of."
Keep using your local pub
When asked about hauntings, Ed says there are no ghost stories they are aware of, but there is certainly plenty of history.
For those wondering how to support their local pub, Ed's answer is simple: keep using them. "The British pub is one of the country's most iconic institutions. I always compare it to a cup of tea - it's there for every occasion. Whether you're celebrating the birth of a child, raising a glass at a wedding, catching up with friends, or remembering a loved one after a funeral, the pub has always been at the heart of British life. It's so much more than somewhere to have a pint or a meal; it's where communities come together. If we want our local pubs to survive for future generations, we all need to keep supporting them."
The Davenport Arms is at 550 Chester Road, Woodford, Stockport, SK7 1PS.
