The Coach & Horses in Whitefield, a historic pub dating back to 1830, has been crowned Greater Manchester's favourite pub in the M.E.N.'s Love Your Local awards. The building once served as a staging post for the Burnley to Manchester mail coach, and its current beer garden was used as a turn-around for coaches.
A Rich History
Its first landlord was Robert Bentley, the only brewer in Prestwich at the time, before it changed hands in 1879 to the Carringtons, and later Joseph Holt after the turn of the century. Inside, a newspaper clipping from several decades ago hangs on the wall, frayed and turned reddish-brown, but still readable: 'Real ale buffs pick the Coach'. The clipping describes a pub famed for its sepia-coloured wallpaper, cosy rooms, and capacity to provide solitude “for the drinker who prefers to share his pint with people not pop music”.
Transformed Beer Garden
Landlady Sue Hawley took over in 2019 and was keen to ensure it remained a place for all the community. While being closed during Covid was tough, it gave the team a chance to refurbish the space. When it reopened, the beer garden was totally transformed. Outside, you'll find a large outdoor space with tables and chairs under a canopy, but there's much more to it. Numerous ornaments and statues dot the area, predominantly animals such as giraffes, monkeys, and even a sloth. Other features include an old post box, windmills, gnomes, and a stage area built during the refurb, which regularly hosts music nights. A summer house at the back is used for a wide range of functions for pub-goers and the local community.
Sunday Roasts and Oasis Mural
While they don't serve food every day, their Sunday roasts more than make up for it. Homemade and served from 1:15pm until 5:30pm, mains range from roast lamb, beef, and chicken, plus their own cheese and onion pie. All are served with creamy mash, honey-glazed carrots, sprouts, cabbage, green beans, roast potatoes, and topped with a crispy Yorkshire pudding and rich homemade gravy. Smaller portions are available, and desserts include sticky toffee, fudge cake, and cheesecake.
Not long after the Oasis reunion was announced in 2024, the pub, which is only a stone's throw from Heaton Park where the Gallaghers performed last year, commissioned a mural of the famous brothers. Painted by Scott from Snow Graffiti, who shared a time lapse of the painting being constructed, the 'incredible' monochrome artwork quickly caught the eyes of passers-by.
