The Saracens Head

The Saracens Head is a solid pub-restaurant just a bit outside Southport in Ormskirk. It's got a bit more of a modern feel than your typical old man's pub. Think stripped wood floors, chandeliers, that kind of thing. Gets a 4.2 rating from over 1,000 Google reviews, so most folks seem to like it well enough. It isn’t a local's boozer, but it's not trying to be.

They're all about seasonal menus and using stuff from around the region, so the food's usually pretty decent. Expect to pay around the ££ mark, so it's not the cheapest, but not outrageous either. The atmosphere is usually buzzy without being rowdy. Good for a meal with the family, or a pint with mates. It is not a sports bar or cocktail place, just a nice halfway house.

They've got outdoor seating which is nice in the summer, and they welcome dogs, which is a big plus for me as I like to bring the terrier along. Open every day from 12pm to 11pm, so pretty flexible.

If you're planning on eating there, especially on a weekend, it's probably worth giving them a ring on 01704 840204 to book a table.