066. Burton Arms, Swan Street

Burton Arms, Swan Street. (c) Rob Rutherford at flickr.

Classic old market pub ideally situated next to the Band on the Wall and just across the road from Fringe Bar and well placed for a drink before heading towards Eastlands, or so you'd think. This however is pretty much as red as it comes for this area, and as such, probably not always the most welcoming for those of the blue persuasion. Indeed even its website only mentions how its a short tram ride away out of town to Old Trafford football and cricket grounds, without mention of their noisy neighbour, situated a short distance away. However, it's great to see it maintaining its Manchester connection with the two real ales available being Hydes and Joseph Holts. Here since the days of Smithfield Market when it was classed as an Inn, the premises still provide rooms on a nightly basis, presumably to business travellers and the out of towners making their way to Old Trafford on match day. Like many of the market pubs round here the Burton has front and back entrances.

Burton Arms, Foundry Lane, rear entrance. (c) joseph mcgarragy at flickr.

Website: http://www.burtonarmshotel.co.uk/

Now a free house it was a Bass house for ages, as seen here in 1970 and below in 1991. In 1993 it was a Theakston's house, a rare sight in Manchester at the time.  Back in the mid-1800s the Burton Arms was known as the John O'Groats House [1].

Burton Arms, Swan Street, 1991. (c) deltrems at flickr.

1. Manchester (New Cross) 1849, Alan Godfrey Maps (2009).