The Olde Boar's Head — Restaurant in Rochdale

The Olde Boar’s Head, Middleton is fortunate to have a fine example of an early timber framed building, acknowledged by Historic England as outstanding, Grade II* listed and more recently by Rochdale Borough Council as one of four Middleton Golden Cluster buildings. The pub has not yet been dated precisely and its builders and earliest occupants remain a mystery to local historians. The ancient buildings expert, Pevsner, mentioned a carved stone in the cellar dated 1632; however this has not been seen for many years. Some experts feel the building is more likely to have been dated to the 1590’s. Due to continuous modification over the years, it is unclear whether the original form was two hall type structures or three or more small worker’s cottages that were joined together as the site developed. There are remnants of two inglenook fireplaces and four front doors. The three gables have a quatrefoil (four leaf) decoration, the nearest Durnford Street being filled with wattle and daub. The middle gable is a later addition, there to enhance the buildings look. The building was part of the Middleton Glebe (property and land donated by the lord of the manor to support the parish church). By 1737 it had become the Olde Boar’s Head Inn, Edmund Hopwood its first licensee. In 1745, he hosted the local Jacobite supporters who used the establishment for fundraising appeals. In the 1820’s the Inn became a post house for the Royal Mail and a stopping point for the Manchester/Rochdale express coach service. A Sessions Room was built in the early 19th century and held petty sessions of the Middleton Court until about 1852. In 1888, the Rector of Middleton sold the building to Middleton Corporation who went on to demolish some outbuildings and develop Durnford Street. At this time, the Inn had accommodation for two travellers and stabling for their horses. In 1911, the council decided to demolish the Olde Boar’s Head to build a new town hall but, thanks to a massive protest from lovers of the building they changed their minds. In 1980, Tudor Taverns took the lease of the pub from the landlord, Paddy Hannelly, but were refused permission to remove internal walls and make the pub open plan. Rochdale Borough Council carried out essential repairs in 1983. Three years later, local brewery J W Lees took over the lease from the council and undertook a massive restoration. This is the building...

Drove past this place this afternoon, we wanted to try it given that’s it the oldest pub in Britain beautiful building, Shame about the service and the Obnoxious argumentative staff (Apparently the customer isn’t always right} I ordered the 8oz Rump steak I took one bite it was chewy the meat quality was poor the 8oz sirloin was as thin as a piece of paper, it had never seen 8oz I politely informed a member of staff in hoping that this would have been Rectified nothing more in thinking that it could have possibly just have been one bad cut, it happens. He comes back and says she will give you a refund (talking about the woman in the kitchen) I said what do you mean? (Shocked now)Now in my opinion In any normal circumstances any chef or staff member would apologise and re cook a meal, but no I was told if I didn’t like it there was no point, so I said oh ok fair enough then your going to have to refund my wifes food then as she can’t eat alone we have come out to eat together, I got questioned everything under the sun from a terribly rude barman, “why can’t she eat it alone?” “What’s wrong with it?” Etc etc the sheer embarrassment on my face it got ever so silly that there were raised voices by this point, I said excuse me but answer my question why should my wife eat alone? exactly! Totally missing the point! I was issued a refund eventually for both meals, the woman in the kitchen was clearly having some sort of meltdown as she was Challenged, I’m not being funny but if you can’t cook stay out of the kitchen! I even asked to speak to the manager he said he’s here but was clearly dominated by this ignorant person pulling pints, AVOID AT ALL COSTS, the service is a SHAMBLES! And for the record your not allowed to advertise an 8oz steak if it isn’t that weight after cooking. I Literally laughed for the way I was spoken to, but honestly not a lot of people would put up with you so wind it in for future reference, you know who you are 😁 you dont Speak to paying customers the way you...

We went to the Olde Boars Head for my sisters birthday. We originally booked for 7 people a few weeks ago then went back to add extra numbers. They couldn't find the original booking then charge £45 to book for 9 people which we didn't understand and was not explained. On our celebration the drinks were fine but the food order that's where the problems started. Ordered a rag pudding with chive mash, salt and pepper chicken burger, 2 kids hot dog, kids chicken goujons, jacket potato with tikka sauce, cheese burger, jacket potato with tuna mayo, and a chilli con carne with rice and chips. The rag pudding dish was ok but bland and the mash had an unusual texture. The salt and pepper chicken burger tasted more like a sweet and sour chicken burger, the jacket potato with tikka sauce was just barely warm. The cheese burger had to be sent back as it was pink in the middle, received another cheese burger and again couldn't eat as it was still pink in the middle. The jacket potato with tuna mayo came as a jacket potato with tuna melt didn't ask for that just plain tuna mayo and jacket potato. And the chilli con carne was bland and wasn't spicy and just barely warm. The kids meals were fine. We will not be going back as it wasn't worth the time or money spent there. Short staffed with just 2 staff members to manage at least 25 covers and the bar so everyone received food at different times. Can honestly say none of our group had a good time and none...