Vine Inn, Dunham Massey

This long established Samuel Smith pub is not too far to walk from the Bridgewater Canal or the National Trust's Dunham Massey estate. (Be careful after dark as the road is quite narrow.) It can be accessed from the front (Barns Lane) or from the car park at the rear (off Station Road).

There's always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to this pub. It has four rooms of which the one immediately behind the bar is perhaps the cosiest (it has its own serving hatch). Extensive carpeting helps to absorb sound and of course there's no music or TV in this brewery's pubs. The bar has just the one cask beer but there are also some interesting bottled beers.

Outside there is an extensive beer garden with picnic tables. It is set well away from Station Road, which can get quite busy with traffic. Barns Lane is very quiet. There is a large expanse of grass for children to enjoy.

Please note that, in common with all Samuel Smith pubs, the use of mobile phones, tablets, laptops "and other transmission or reception devices" is not permitted unless they're being used to pay for food or drink.