The village river-side pub with 2 deliciously popular dishes that 'go down a treat'
The Horseshoe, in Ringley, is a Thwaites pub and has been run by Eileen and Andy Donald for the last seven and a half years.
Originally from the North East, Eileen has lived in Bolton for more than two decades.
We spoke to Eileen to hear what it's all about.
More: Celebrity chef on headlining Bolton Food and Drink Festival for the first time
More: Weetabix axes breakfast 'icon' in all supermarkets and fans are 'really sad'
More: I ate all that Greggs had to offer and here's how they ranked from worst to best
Introduce yourself
My name is Eileen Donald, and I run the Horseshoe in Ringley.
Eileen and Andy (Image: Public)What made you want to take over the running of the pub?
I'd worked in the pub before we began running it, and I always got the impression that it was a thriving village pub, so it was ideal.
What changes did you make?
We wanted to go back to basic, and do what the pub used to do in the early 2000s, so we brought back home-cooked food.
(Image: Public)What's the most popular dish?
I'd say either the minted lamb, or the homemade cheese and onion pie.
What's the draught line-up?
Birra Moretti
Madri
Guinness
Somersby cider
Thwaites's Gold
Thwaites's Smooth
Fosters
What's the best thing about running the pub?
(Image: Google Maps) The people, getting to meet all sorts of people from all walks of life, is very nice, we've got a good group of regulars who we chat to.
Describe the area
It's ruralish, it's in three villages really, Stoneclough, Ringley, and Prestolee, on the river Irwell, we used to be on an old camel towpath that is very popular with walkers, we're dog friendly and very much a village pub.
What's been a highlight of your time at the pub?
Surviving Covid! It was difficult, but it was easier for us as we could operate as a takeaway for brews when everyone was being encouraged to go walking.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Traffic chaos continues as festival weekend begins
Drivers are continuing to face delays on the A12 in Suffolk as festival-goers arrive at the Latitude Festival on Saturday. The A12 at Henham, Blytburgh and Wangford is congested as thousands arrive by car at the Latitude festival. Delays begin on the A12 at Barnaby Green, just before the Norfolk Road turn off at Wangford, and extend down to Blythburgh. Suffolk police advised visitors to "allow plenty of time" for their journeys. The roads surrounding the festival look to be clear on the traffic sensors, but delays are building from Friday Street to Benhall, and Curlew Green to High Street. Road closures are in place from 6am until 9pm on Southwold Road, the A12 by Blythburgh, Station Road, Henham Green, Manor Farm Road and The Hills. Temporary traffic lights are also in place around the festival to control the flow of vehicles, with roads in the surrounding villages being for access only.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump International to receive £180k from Scottish Government for tournament
THE Scottish Government has announced that £180,000 will be given to Trump International in Aberdeenshire for a golf tournament this year, according to reports. First Minister John Swinney is to meet with the US President while he is in Scotland over the next four days. Swinney said the funding will 'further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination', the Scotsman has reported. READ MORE: Donald Trump claims immigration is 'killing Europe' during Scotland visit The Scottish Government are reportedly in advanced negotiations over the money, which is to go towards the 2025 Nexo Championship, previously the Scottish Championship, which will be held at Trump International this August. Swinney reportedly said: 'I welcome the Nexo Championship being held at the Trump International Golf Links this August. 'Scotland has long been recognised as a world-class host of major events. Golf and golf events are a key part of our national identity, supporting communities, driving economic growth, contributing to environmental sustainability across the country and promoting Scotland through global profile. 'The [[Scottish Government]] recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy. 'As the home of golf, we have a long-standing track record of support and I am proud this funding will further enhance Aberdeenshire's reputation as a leading golfing destination and I am hopeful of securing further golfing events in future years.' The US President is expected to travel to Trump International in Aberdeenshire on Monday. Trump flew into Prestwick Airport last night and has been pictured playing golf at his Turnberry resort in Ayrshire on Saturday morning. He is expected to meet with Swinney during his trip, along with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Earlier this month, Swinney said, it is in the interests of the country that he meets US President as he had an 'obligation' to 'protect and promote' Scotland. He said there would be an opportunity during his meeting to discuss tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Security tightens as Donald Trump tees off at Turnberry
A major security operation is ramping up as Donald Trump begins a four-day private visit in Scotland. The US president arrived at Prestwick Airport on Friday evening and stayed at his luxury golf resort, Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire. Wearing a white "USA" cap and accompanied by his second son Eric, he teed off for a round of golf at about 10:00 on his first morning at the resort. Trump is due to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney over the next few days, as well as opening a second 18-hole course at his estate in Aberdeenshire. The president has said "it's great to be in Scotland" and has praised the leaders of both governments. A number of protests are expected to be held to coincide with the visit, including demonstrations in Edinburgh and Aberdeen later. Questions have already been raised about the scale of the visit and the security implications, with police representatives raising concerns about the costs involved and the impact on staffing. Trump says 'great to be in Scotland', as he lands for four-day trip What do we know about Donald Trump's visit to Scotland? Trump takes time out to open Scottish golf course Journalists, photographers and plane watchers were among the crowds who gathered to see Air Force One touch down at Prestwick just before 20:30 on Friday. Trump was greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Warren Stephens, US Ambassador to the UK. The president spoke with journalists before a motorcade made up of more than two dozen vehicles escorted him to Turnberry. A number of roads have been closed in the area while police and military personnel have been carrying out sweeps around the resort. A security checkpoint has been put in place outside the hotel and a large fence has been erected around the course. While security remains tight around Turnberry, some golfers were able to use the Ailsa course from about 07:30 - albeit in windy conditions. Drones and helicopters have also been circling overhead. Trump played his round of golf with three others, including his son Eric, with an entourage that included 15 golf buggies. A round during peak summer season can cost £1,000 at Turnberry. There were no sign of any protesters around the course. Trump waved to photographers who had gathered on a beach dune for a vantage point as he walked to the fourth tee. Trump is expected to meet Starmer and Swinney on Monday while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet the president on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations. The US president will travel back to Washington on Tuesday and is due to return to the UK for an official state visit in September. In his remarks to the press at Prestwick, Trump said European countries need to "get your act together" on migration, and "stop the windmills", referring to wind farms. In 2019, his company Trump International lost a long-running court battle to stop a major wind power development being built in the North Sea off Aberdeen. Trump argued that the project, which included 11 wind turbines, would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie. Swinney has said his meeting with Trump would present an opportunity to "essentially speak out for Scotland" on issues such as trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland. The first minister said he would also raise "significant international issues" including "the awfulness of the situation in Gaza". He urged those set to protest against the president's visit to do so "peacefully and to do so within the law". Visits to Scotland by sitting US presidents are rare. Queen Elizabeth hosted Dwight D Eisenhower at Balmoral in Aberdeenshire in 1957. George W Bush travelled to Gleneagles in Perthshire for a G8 summit in 2005 and Joe Biden attended a climate conference in Glasgow in 2021. The only other serving president to visit this century is Trump himself in 2018 when he was met by protesters including one flying a paraglider low over Turnberry, breaching the air exclusion zone around the resort. He returned in 2023, two-and-a-half years after he was defeated by Biden. Trump will have an official state visit to the UK in September when he and First Lady Melania Trump will be hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle in Berkshire. It is the second state visit he has been afforded - second-term US presidents are traditionally not offered state visits and have instead been invited for tea or lunch with the monarch, usually at Windsor Castle.