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Pub Reviews

Whet your appetite with our first review from Knowsley Online's regular boozer Rob Howard - a bloke who likes his pint, and especially relishes a glass of real ale.

The Brickwall Inn, Tarbock Green

The Brickwall Inn is quite an extraordinary public house. It is a large pub situated in the tiny ancient hamlet of Tarbock Green. This is surely one of the most rural pub settings within the borough of Knowsley. Tarbock lies on the B5178 close to Halewood Village between Hough Green (Widnes) and Netherley (Liverpool).

The pub's interior is dark and old-fashioned, though with plenty of character. Old prints, photographs and even porcelain decorate the two large side-rooms, adorned with large fireplaces. These are linked by a spacious bar area. The range of drinks on offer is impressive, including all the usual wines, spirits, beers and lagers. Hot drinks are also available (tea, coffee), and a series of changing ('guest') real ales that are well worth a try. The Brickwall is a Burtonwood pub, so various 'house' ales are always on offer.

There is a healthy mix of locals and passers-by who drift in for a pint. The pub is popular with walkers enjoying some of Knowsley's finest rural terrain. Notorious walks such as the 'Tarbock Trail' and the 'Greensbridge Circular' rather conveniently pass near the pub. The Brickwall is rarely crowded, a welcome fact which means that service is always prompt and genuinely friendly. However, the pub is busier on an occasional night of entertainment, such as a karaoke evening, which makes use of a small staged area. Particularly popular and well-established is the serving of a roast dinner on Sunday afternoons. This is highly recommended, at a very reasonable price and in large (self-service!) helpings. Children's portions are also available. The only room for improvement in this hostelry would be in refurbishing some of the decor, both on the inside and outside of the building.

The pub is well-served by buses, considering its rural location. The No 14 bus, which runs fairly regularly between Liverpool and Widnes, stops right outside the door. A large car park surrounds the building, as well as a beer garden and playground.

Rob Howard