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I was a bit tired lastnight so I skipped through some details, plus not having a camera I felt it didn't justify an article.

Anyway having found a few pubs within the vicinity of Picadilly Station, I tossed a coin between the Jolly Angler (a pub owned by an Irish family - not an Oirish pub) in one direction, ant the Circus Tavern, a few doors down from where I was. The Circus won so I wandered in for a pint. You walk into the hall of an old building, which is the pub, and the bar is in the space under the stairs. If the five foot wide pub with it's three foot bar is a little claustrophobic for you, there are two small rooms off this. Every available wall/ceiling space from is taken up with 'celebrities' who have drank in the place (After George Best, who seemed to live in the place I was struggling to name any others). The only cask on was Tetley's, but I didn't let this dishearten me, and enjoyed a few pints, while chatting with the bar man and the temperamental owner.

The rest of my week in Bury mainly centred around the fantastic Trackside pub. It's actually owned by the Railway, and is the old station. You can pay to go on a trip on the train, while enjoying a meal, or, like me, you can choose to stay in the pub. A great spot, with nine casks on (the lowest it dipped to was 6 on Wed. night, to the annoyance of the cellarman, my new drinking buddy. Even though it was his night off, he soon went and filled the board again).
Strangely, or not, this pub doesn't show up in CAMRA's guide. The official line being they don't like the decor, but I suspect a bit of politics going on.
In 'protest' to the Bury CAMRA beer fest that was on the previous weekend the pub had a whole host of good local beers on. Marble Arch's Porter being a particular favourite.
Actually with three Marble Arch beers on at various times a proposed trip to Manchester midweek was cancelled, as with such a turnover of beers in the Trackside I was struggling to keep pace.

There may not be a whole lot else to do in Bury, but this pub alone would be a worthwhile trip for anyone who is idle in Manchester.

It definitely sounds like you used your time well, and far be it from me to say "you should have gone to the Marble Arch" since it's the only Manchester pub I've ever been in. But it is wonderful inside (my visit, with bad pics[/url:37tmtg3v]).

Though: ten cask ales and most people were drinking Beck's <!-- s:roll: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt="" title="Rolling Eyes" /><!-- s:roll: -->

I read that before I left. I probably should have made the effort if the Marble Stout, and in particular Porter were anything to go by.

I should have taken notes, but amongst a few ordinary blondes Copper Dragon's Golden Pippin was one of the standouts. Sub 4%, and real easy drinking.