
Bob's Smithy Inn
Quick info
About Bob's Smithy Inn
Bob's Smithy Inn is a family-run gastropub on Chorley Old Rd in Bolton, in the same hands for almost 30 years. Log burning fires warm the winter months. The kitchen serves home cooked food, including plate pies made with short crust pastry rather than puff-topped casserole-style pies, along with a prawn starter and a Sunday roast. Three or four real ales are on the bar. Tables are laid out for dining inside, and pictures of the old smithy that stood across the road are on display. A private dining room is available for groups, and dogs are welcome. Reservations are required, and parking is limited.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryOrganic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention plate steak pie, prawn starter, sunday roast and real ales.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention plate steak pie, prawn starter, sunday roast and real ales.
Customer Review Summary
Short crust plate pies draw the most attention. One reviewer prefers them to puff pastry casseroles and another recommends the plate steak pie, though a veg pie and mash was called okay, with bland mash. Sunday dinner comes close behind, with diners describing generous portions, a warm family atmosphere and gluten free alternatives. Prawn starters and prawn nibbles come up twice, and others name black pudding with mustard sauce, pan fried chicken, garlic bread and sticky toffee pudding. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and accommodating, and one reviewer suggests booking because lunch was busy. The criticism is real, though. One reviewer reports a pint of ale tasting off and upsetting their stomach, and describes the building as in a state of disrepair, with toilet hand soap smelling like baby sick. Another found service slow and the pub unsuitable for kids. A third was charged extra for gravy and felt rushed despite a given time slot, then was moved to another table.
Customer Review Summary
Short crust plate pies draw the most attention. One reviewer prefers them to puff pastry casseroles and another recommends the plate steak pie, though a veg pie and mash was called okay, with bland mash. Sunday dinner comes close behind, with diners describing generous portions, a warm family atmosphere and gluten free alternatives. Prawn starters and prawn nibbles come up twice, and others name black pudding with mustard sauce, pan fried chicken, garlic bread and sticky toffee pudding. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and accommodating, and one reviewer suggests booking because lunch was busy. The criticism is real, though. One reviewer reports a pint of ale tasting off and upsetting their stomach, and describes the building as in a state of disrepair, with toilet hand soap smelling like baby sick. Another found service slow and the pub unsuitable for kids. A third was charged extra for gravy and felt rushed despite a given time slot, then was moved to another table.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Last came here about 10 years ago and looks like nothing has changed, if anything the place is now in a state of disrepair. The pint of ale I had didn't taste like a normal pint of ale and gave me a bad stomach. Such a shame as we always used to come here but now will probably never come back until its had some major investment. Also the hand soap in the toilet smells like baby sick.”
- Google user
“Took the kids, my mum and dad to Bob Smithy’s for Sunday dinner and it was excellent. The food was absolutely delicious, with generous portions and everything cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, making it a great place for a family meal. The staff were friendly and attentive, and everyone left happy (and very full!). We’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fantastic Sunday roast!”
- Google user
“Amazing sunday dinner here. They also offer gluten free alternatives and nothing is too much trouble. Really good service. We dont go anywhere else now.”
- Google user
“We just had lunch here. It was busy and we would definitely recommended booking . The food was delicious , the portions were generous and everything was fresh and hot! Staff were very pleasant. We had the garlic bread and cheese and the prawn nibbles to start and after our mains were too full to try one of the delicious desserts available. We hope to return soon.”
- Google user
“This place is more of a bistro than a pub. Inside, it's set up with lots of dining tables. There's no separate bar area, but you could sit at the bar if you just want a drink. It's nicely decorated with pictures of the old smithy that used to be across the road. They have a well-stocked bar with three or four real ales. The food is good. They seem to be really good at short crust pastry plate pies – none of those puff pastry topped casserole dishes. The staff are friendly and the service is attentive. I'll definitely be coming back here whenever I'm in the area.”
Highlights
“Country pub serving home cooked food and real ales along with continental premium larger, has been family run for almost 30years, great large outside drinking and dining area for the summer and cozy log burning fires for the winter. Great for familys or friends meeting up.”
- Fireplace
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Trivia night
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Coffee
- Food
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Food at bar
- Free water refills
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 6
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Atmosphere· 3
- Historic
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 4
- Fireplace
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Trivia night
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
Bars near Bob's Smithy Inn
- Wilton Arms4.31,0862.2 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kids
sunday roast lamb henry, spicy sirloin steak, goosenargh chicken liver starter
- The Spinning Mule4.02,2773 miWheelchair accessible
beef madras, toilets upstairs, breakfast
- Hulton Arms4.65663.4 mi
pub lunch, reasonable prices, plenty of parking
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob's Smithy InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,159 | — | £10–40 | plate steak pie, prawn starter, sunday roast |
| Wilton ArmsReservations · Good for kids | 4.31,086 | 2.2 mi | £20–30 | sunday roast lamb henry, spicy sirloin steak, goosenargh chicken liver starter |
| The Spinning MuleWheelchair accessible | 4.02,277 | 3 mi | — | beef madras, toilets upstairs, breakfast |
| Hulton Arms | 4.6566 | 3.4 mi | — | pub lunch, reasonable prices, plenty of parking |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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