Photo-a-Day (Wednesday, 12th February, 2025)
The Red Lion Hotel
The 21st century extension to the right hand side I think you would agree has been sympathetically integrated into the original 1893 building.
It is quite possible that an Inn has existed on this site as early as 1714 according to a diary entry by a traveller from Up Holland, one Henry Prescott on his journey from Warrington to Wigan who mentions 'The Lion'.
That said and to confuse the matter, almost directly across the road is The Golden Lion which was built eleven years later in 1905 so who knows which one it was.
Perhaps a photo of this will feature soon?
Photo: Colin Traynor (iPhone)
We had a pint in there last year before going on to Haydock Park, the pub looks better outside than it does inside.
The exterior has has some work done recently to tidy up the place.
The guttering was falling off and had some woodwork replaced.
For me the best for a drink and something to eat in The Thomas Gerards, a Weatherspoon. But as they say, it's what ever turns you on. There's a few pubs on Gerard St in a short walking distance.
I parked my car behind this pub in 1969 and then went drinking in the Manhattan club, the main reason was because it was Haydock Park races, and my mate, who liked a bet, wanted to try and get some tips from some of the stable lads who he thought might de in there drinking.
Anyhow, we ended up coming out late at night with two of the local lads who suggested we go across the road for a curry. The curry place had just closed and wouldn't let us in, and they called the police because one of the lads was banging on the window.
Bobby came and took our details and then told us to get home.
I didn't want to go straight back to my car because I had a feeling they were watching to see if we had a car.
Finally, we made a run for it, but Bobby knew what we were up to and appeared out of nowhere, and I got arrested, taken to court and got a one-year ban and £40 fine.
I hope that it lasts and keeps getting the trade in far to many pubs have closed over the years, it looks like a old traditional pub and looks nice from the outside and well kept.
Walked past the Red Lion many a time but never been through the door. I believe the extension is a hotel. One of these days like a few more pubs in Ashton I will call in and have a swift half. At least the pubs are still with us in Ashton but stiff competition from the Micro bars which are now on the scene
The local folk called the Thomas Gérard.. Tom & Jerry's.
Just about to tuck into a seafood platter for my evening meal at the laughing oyster.
Looking forward to visiting a Weatherspoons next time I'm over.
All the best John (Howfen)
Ashton is another Sought after place, and good for Motorway connections.
Colin another good one,Ashton always seems to busy with nightlife,thank you for everyone’s comments wishing me a speedy recovery (30 January)including TD today,treatment in Tenerife is second to none,paramedic collection from hospital and through airport and delivering us to our house unbelievable (Staysure travel insurance)
Jill Ashton town centre most of the time is a nightmare to drive through and always full of NGV's
Jill I live in Ashton,it isn't the sought after
Place like Aspull and Standish.
It was always known as 'Old Marys ' presumably after a landlady in the dim and distant past.
Welcome back John, great to have you posting comments again.
Sounds like they looked after you very well but nothing like your own bed to sleep in and family around as good recuperative medicine.
You’ll soon be back on your bike! Col.
I agree Aspull is a lovely place PeterP.
One of the problems with Ashton traffic is people parking half on the pavement to go and order the junk food, even though there are double yellow lines that are completely ignored.
Eddie Aspull your right, but not too sure about Standish.
Ashton town centre used to have a reputation of being a bit rough but I don't know if it still has? Wouldn't call it a 'sought after' area by any stretch of imagination.
Ashton and Billinge to close to St Helens for my liking. Aspull not even a one Street wonder but some nice properties. Standish has got everything Schools, Pubs, Restaurants, Aldi, Lidl and Co-op, Doctors Surgery all in walking distance and good access to M6.
Sorry but no competition.
WN6 glad you said walking distance because Standish is has bad as Ashton for traffic and both places they are still building houses to add even more traffic
Julie you are spot on about Ashton town centre having the reputation of being rough, it wasn't nicknamed Ashvegas for nothing. WN6 it is only what you expect of a city such as Standish, though I disagree with the doctors, as it's quicker to see one of the vets around here.
Ashtons is the worst place in Wigan for heavy non-stop traffic because of the motorway and the industrial estate.
The City of Standish? Haha, sounds better than Village. No half measures though.
St Helens reminds me of the 1960s, I don't shop at Aldi and Lidl. I like up market supermarkets were you can buy almost anything. Standish has never appealed to me because it's a magnet for traffic in other word gridlocked.
Wn6... problem is it takes hours to cross the road because the roads are that busy. Aspull for me too.
Yes Standish is more like a city these days,definitely not a 'village' as some like to say ( laughingly) Although I have heard it referred to as Stand-offish, Snobdish and St.Andish.
Colin another good one,Ashton always seems to busy with nightlife,thank you for everyone’s comments wishing me a speedy recovery (30 January)including TD today,treatment in Tenerife is second to none,paramedic collection from hospital and through airport and delivering us to our house unbelievable (Staysure travel insurance)