The Top Lock Pub at Wheelton 2021

Called in as we were just passing, only for a drink, the latte coffee was delicious and huge. Staff very friendly, toilets were immaculate. Enjoyed catching up with an old friend in this warm cosy pub.

Sunday night tea. Service and staff great. Food was a bit mixed. Burger was nice, fish and chips ok but fish overcooked. Spaghetti carbonara, bit watery and had chicken in it. We would go again but nothing to rave about.

The Top Lock Pub at Wheelton

1 Sentence description:
Charming canal-side ‘proper’ pub - think gastropub without the delusions of hipsterism.

What’s good here?
The burger patties - meaty manna from heaven indeed.

Gammon & Pineapple was some size with taste to match, but the burger was a real wow. Meat was thick - chuck and smashed - and so delectable it’s maybe worth taking a freezer bag and ask if you can buy extra ones to take home with you; as you’ll definitely want to.

What’s an ‘Opportunity for Improvement’?
Being fussy... Skinny fries were the ‘red headed step-child’ when compared to chunky chips. Do yourself a favour and opt for big & bold, rather than the rather wan.

Tell me More
Situated in a lovely area, it takes a little to find - but it’s well worth it. In addition to the food, a wide selection of craft beers well kept make it worth staying for ‘just one more’.

Be sure to check out their offers also, as some - such as a Pizza Deal where you pay the same price as the time you order - provide great value to go along with top food.

Anything to disclose?
No - paying customer, anonymously visited.

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How I Rate:
I normally rate 1-4, with 5 reserved for ’Exceptional’, i.e. “deviating from the norm” or “truly worthy of note”.

* 4 stars = very good
* 3 stars = good
* 2 stars = average or acceptable
* 1 stars = poor

Great Sunday dinner; £15 for two courses, £18 for three courses (if you can fit it in!)
Nice friendly pub, meals came quickly.
Loos a bit tired looking.

This place has the best VEGAN menu! The vegan food is delicious and obviously freshly cooked. Staff are friendly although often seem a little short staffed. Now one of my favourite local places!

Great to see the Top Lock open once more. Only serving beer and snacks presently. There is going to be a refurb towards the end of summer, ( September ) when food will once more be served. A great place for a pint at the end or middle of a canal walk, after the thirsty work of bringing a boat through Johnson Hillock locks or indeed to get your mind ready to descend the locks. I recommend a stop there to support this great pub. The fifth star will be added when we have eaten there and it will be well deserved.

A very pleasant stop off after a nice walk up and down the Leeds Liverpool Canal - not the entire length, just a section! Outside dining only at this stage but very well organised. Good choice on food and drinks menu - albeit somewhat limited at this time. Download, order and pay via the Top Lock app which is very easy to use. All tables outside but covered by either gazebo or umbrellas. The food we had was first class. The burger was magnificent and really tasty as we're the pizzas we ordered. Staff were friendly and courteous and cleaned tables after each group left and before another took their place. Obviously no inside drinking/dining but customers (wearing mask) could use toilets. Looking forward to our next visit.

Saturday 18th September 2021

A beautiful little canalside pub that is only recently (one week) under new management.

Past reviews have mentioned the beers, ales and food. The devastation of Covid has had an impact and the new team led by Gill are determined to regain their previous hugely popular reputation.

But that will only happen if they have the trade - and the summer season is now ending so if you're passing, whether cycling, walking or as we were, boating, pop in and see what they have to offer.

The last few years have been terrible for the hospitality trade and these guys need all of our support.

Daytime they're going to add to the pub offerings by doing coffee shop and cakes but their plans to revamp the food up a level or two, and get some interesting keg and cask beers should see them exceed their previous reputation.

Apart from anything else, this is just such a beautifully sublime and peaceful location, and I hope you enjoy The Top Lock.

We'll be back one way or another :-)

I'm only giving 4 stars so I can delight in giving 5 next time we're here.