Saracens Head in West Lancashire

Went for lunch today from the minute we walked in the greeting, service, atmosphere and food we received was top class! We were greeted with such enthusiasm and warmth. The pub itself is very cosy and warm and the food.....well absolutely outstanding. Homemade fish pie was beautiful, my husband had the pie of the day which looked lovely and he said tasted even lovelier! Highly recommend 👌

Brought my mother and daughter for Sunday dinner and we will not return. We were cold in a draft and asked to have the radiator turned on, this didn’t happen and eventually we had to ask to move tables after sitting with our coats on. Sunday lamb shank was fatty and came with roast potatoes covered in gravy so we’re not crispy. Key lime pie was disgusting couldn't eat it, synthetic and horrid texture. They did take this off the bill. The wall paper is coming off the walls by the radiators, toilets stink and disabled isn’t fit for purpose. Too low toilet with no grab rail to get up with. Chairs at the dining tables are so uncomfortable and cheap, dirty painted walls. Whatever happened to this place it used to be top notch, such a shame.

Really nice pub on the canal, friendly staff 👍

Ate here yesterday afternoon opted for the honey mustard gammon which was really nice. The staff were nice and attentive will definitely be coming again can highly recommend

Lovely meal, good choice of dishes on the menu, staff very friendly

Great food and beer next to the canal, outdoor play area and dog friendly.

Far too expensive for what it was

First time being here the food was amazing, I had steak (cooked perfectly) my partner had the lamb tangine my kids had pasta and the other just wanted a garlic bread, My partner had cocktails we said they were stron (not a bad thing). The only thing I disliked was a group close to is complained that the music was too loud (it really wasnt) so the staff on duty turned the music down to a level that you really couldn't hear. No one else was complaining about the music and it really did dampen the antomsphere considering I spent a lot of money here for a special occasion it did spoil the night abit

Fantastic, helpful service staff. Thanks 👍

Great place, great food and staff very helpful.

Had lunch at Saracens head today with my mum who is in a wheelchair the staff couldn't be anymore accommodating our meal was beautiful and fresh atmosphere stunning sat at the big window overlooking the canal would highly recommend

Had lunch at Saracens head today with my mum who is in a wheelchair the staff couldn't be anymore accommodating our meal was beautiful and fresh atmosphere stunning sat at the big window overlooking the canal would highly recommend

Well kept Beer spotlessly clean didn't have a chance to sample the food but we'll be back

Well kept Beer spotlessly clean didn't have a chance to sample the food but we'll be back

Fantastic country pub. Delicious food and great staff

Lovely pub on the canal ,didn't eat here £9.50 for a small bottle of fizz hence the 3 stars

Just wanted a drink. Good walk though

Lovely location Super friendly attentive staff Really good fresh food

Location is fab here. We were given a choice of seats and chose to be seated right next to a huge window with views of the canal. Very relaxed atmosphere. Staff were very attentive and lovely. We had a 3 course meal including a Sunday roast. Literally couldn't fault any of it, it was absolutely delicious with good sized portions. The service was very fast too which was amazing because we were starving ! Definitely coming back

Terrible service this evening waited 45 mins to be served - when order arrived several dishes were incorrect.Waited ages to order ice creams went to reception to be told if you want ice creams go the bar ( never happened before 9n previous) visits sulky bar maid served three guys behind me at the bar before me. Managers attitude was ansolutley appallingly.

Lovely Lancashire country pub by the canal, good menu, great food relaxed dining atmosphere. Good selection of drinks. Shame about the cocktails. They are just not worth it unless they are made fresh at the bar.

Been here to The Saracens Head a few times now .Food was lovely and the service off all the staff was fantastic .Beautiful pub in a lovely quiet area by the cannal .Very peaceful night .Highly recommended .

Stopped in for some lunch after visiting near the area. We had the cajun chicken wrap and a few desserts. Sat outside near the canal, really impressed with the kid's play area, very well maintained - unlike some of the plastic structures you can get in other pubs. Service and staff was okay but food was phenomenal.

I ordered a Ferryman's luncb, which consisted of four slices of crusty baguette, a small slice of Brie, a tiny piece of chedder and a small portion of stilton. It came with small side salad and chutney, a gherkin and a pickled onion. The food was tasty enough but for £16.50 it was hugely overpriced.Staff were polite and friendly and location is lovely. Overall I much preferred Ye Old Ferrie Inn on the other side of the river.

Had a ploughmans sharing dish. Absolutely loads and gorgeous. Lovely atmosphere and friendly staff

Lovely location. Sat outside for drinks.

Fantastic setting beautiful decor , weather was perfect to sit outside , staff attentive food nice plates hot , not sure how Martin above could rate the food 2 when he didn’t eat there Ideal for families with play area massive beer garden , spotlessly clean , we stayed over in a motorhome Talked to locals who said the place is well run good value , it was full and that was a Wednesday so must be very busy on a weekend

Stopped in for a drink. The coffee isn't good enough as it was 'thin' and tasteless. The beer was well kept. Great location, but room for improvement.

What a lovely time we had ...A party of 8, including a teenager and a vegetarian. There was something for everyone on the menu. Delicious food, friendly and helpful staff. Mains, desserts and drinks for £30 a head.

Service quick, everyone was polite, the portions are very small and not as expected, i had the chicken supreme, the chicken was bland and dry, my partner had the pork belly which was soggy and the fat was squishy instead of crispy, it was very greasy and almost inedible. Such a shame! I was expecting an amazing meal as the food is so expensive, probably will go back and maybe try the roast on a Sunday see if thats any better

What great customer service! We parked up and stopped for a coffee before walking the canal to Burscough, Absolutely no problem leaving the car for a few hours until we returned by taxi. Immediately recognised on our return and asked about our walk before taking our order for a meal. Menu was quite small but with good choice. Presentation and quality of food was excellent. Service warm and attentive. This doesn't happen by chance; this is a good, well trained and well managed team. We will certainly return here before we start the next part of our walk along the Leeds/Liverpool canal. Only 19 miles to go before we get to Liverpool Doc.

Had a lovely meal yesterday, we were seated at a window looking out onto the canal which helped relax us befire our meal.I couldn't fault any part of meal, My fathers steak was cooked perfectly with little fat, my fish was also great, and i loved the tradition cooked chips. My wife and mother had a king rawn linguini, which they both really enjoyed. The kids were impressed with their choices, especially the cake and icream. The star of the meal was the galic bread with cheese. it was best I've EVER had, and everyone agreed. Servive was spot on. The price is a little expensive, but for the quality and service, i believe it's worth every penny....cant stop thinking about that garlic bread.

It was our first time visiting the Saracens Head. We are made to feel so welcome and nothing was too much trouble. We were eating out with our 15 year old son who has multiple food allergies and the staff were so kind and careful in preparing his food. We will definitely be back. Thank you

I asked for a salad for my wife who is pregnant, and she wanted it very much, we were outside, I was refused because they no longer serve food outside, I explained the situation and he was not kind or understanding at all..very disappointed

Beautiful pub/restaurant lovely location and the play area was good for the kids. Enjoyed a roast dinner. I would suggest orderering a starter if your hungry as very small portions. The children's meals looked bigger than the lamb roasts. Bit overpriced but I would go back as it's such a lovely place and the staff were really nice too.

Visited with friends, on a Monday evening, for a drink only. The location, canal side is very pretty. Plenty of car parking available. The pub was very quiet on a Monday night. Service was adequate only. I found the drinks prices to be very steep. I couldn't find any drinks price listings available to check either. An inviting location but too pricey for me.

Picnic then a walk down the canal. Have been in the Saracens Head many times. Good food Good beers.

What a lovely place ! We booked a table for 4.30 but ended up asking if it was possible to change to an earlier time and pleased to say that they were very obliging and seated us earlier. The food was excellent, as was the service. It is in a lovely setting next to the canal, we had a lovely walk along the canal. It is an hour away from where we live but was definitely worth while going. Will we go again ? Definitely.

Nice place but pricey for what you get

Kitchen was closed. Again. No dinner for me. Again. Nice canal side beer though.

Didn’t stay for food but had a drink here. What a lovely venue sitting next to the canal. Was served by Anthony great customer service and happy to help carry our drinks outside. Thank you will be returning.

Only used their bowling green for a match on Monday afternoon.

Was very quiet on weekday lunchtime. Service and food was very good.

We booked the Saracens head for my birthday meal on Sunday. I have been there a few times, but my boyfriend had never been. I got the pate for a starter, which was delicious, and there was still a bit left on my plate, but I had ate all the crackers. One of the staff members came over and said she would get me some more crackers, which was lovely of her. My boyfriend got the soup, and he said he enjoyed it. I got the lamb roast, and it was just amazing. The lamb literally fell off the bone. It was just perfection. My boyfriend got the beef and said his was lovely also. Went ahead and got dessert as well. Key lime pie was gorgeous. Nicest, I have had, outside of Florida. Boyfriend got the chocolate orange torte, and it was to die for. Unfortunately, there was a table by us that did nothing but complain. Over the stupidest things as well. Felt so sorry for the staff. They were nothing but friendly and professional. Some people's just like to complain, I guess, but just wanted to say to the staff that they had done absolutely nothing wrong and you were all lovely. Some people are never happy, no matter how out of your way you go. Don't let them get to you.

Had a lovely lunch. Great food at a good price. Recommend.

The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and the setting beautiful.

Great location, service can be a little slow but the staff are very friendly. Good food and the play area for the kids is great.

Never again will I go there, the setting and and location I can’t fault, but the service from the staff was very very poor, I arrived with my partner at 4pm, we ordered drinks from the bar and we took our seats outside in the sun to decide what food for lunch, we went inside to order our food, and never felt so unwelcome in a place in my life, we were told they are not serving food outside, even though as this conversation is happening they were walking past with food orders, my response was there is food being served as we speak, the lady I was speaking with abruptly said ‘we are short on staff/ chefs’ another member of staff mentioned to my partner we could sit inside therefore we said ok, it then changed to you have to have a booking, we then said we will make a booking for them to again say this is no longer an option they are fully booked, we then left the pub and called up to make a reservation for food for the lady to say yes there is availability for food, we drove back to the pub for the lady we originally spoken with to say we have just called up and made a booking and was told yes there is availability for food, the lady’s response was oh yes I was just about to come out and look for you, at this point due to the service we left the pub, the service was nothing but poor and we will not be returning, and really don’t understand what there problem was.

Always like visiting this pub. Great spot next to the canal.

Lovely place staff helpful. Had falafel wrap and another day fish n chips. Both very good. So busy Sunday decided to try the roast dinner very disappointed the roast potatoes cold n pale in colour. I had the gammon, bit tastless n the carrots underneath very little n overdone! My partner had the lamb, he liked but again cold n potatoes poor Went home hungry, will stick to my homemade roast in future. Will come back as like setting but not for a while.

Excellent Sunday roast dinner. Service was great. Lovely setting right by the canal

Lovely friendly atmosphere and a nice view of the canal

Well where to start, I came in and dam the location EXQUISITE, I ordered the fish and chips and it was filleted expertly, I asked for the chefs name, they said her name was Lila? I am utterly thrilled with the craftsmanship and will defo be ordering it again. I had a crisp liquid gold beer from the master pourer pedro and enjoyed every moment. I will be back!

Came for lunch, looked at like we shouldn't be there. Seated and then ignored so we left. Never felt so unwelcome by a place in my life. Just wanted to feed my toddler as he was hungry. Zero effort. Wont bother again

Great place for food, service excellent and we were sat looking out at the canal. Would certainly go back.

Very good food and good value for money with a nice view. Will definitely come back.

Havent been here for years. Great food First Class service from young but clearly highly trained staff. Every member of the very young team knew exactly what was needed to provide all customers with great, speedy service. Management should offer training to other 'restaurants' as this could not have been bettered.

Great pub to grab some delicious food with a wonderful view of the canal. Has a free parking

Best roast dinner I’ve had in a long time. Lovely atmosphere and service. Can’t wait to come back

Visited after a long time for a Sunday Roast and it was ok but nothing great. I beleive new management so we thought to give it a try. Nice warm welcome and very efficient staff. The service was 10 out of 10 with drinks and food orders taken quickly and served fast. Very limited menu on a Sunday so we both went for roasts which were ok but a bit tasteless. The gravy was very poor and weak. We will try again in the week as the fish & chips looked great and the burgers. Wonderful location, this should be a top bar/restaurant.

There food hygiene is a 1 star and you can tell. The staff are unaware of allergies and have to go and ask about what’s in the dishes. There should be a book covering all of the dishes and the allergies within. Unfortunately I won’t be returning

We had a wonderful meal for our large group of 11. Nothing was too much trouble, the food looked and tasted absolutely delicious. Staff were brilliant. Many thanks to all.

Had Christmas Day Dinner 2023 here and it was superb. Staff v friendly and the food was spot on and plentiful. Would definitely recommend eating here as new owners trying to make a go of a pub in a great location and need support to be successful.

Had a lovely meal prepared especially for me to fit into my diet.

Food quite basic, disappointed at times with the level of service when busy and it is often quite cold.

Superb service. Food was good but venue was too quiet on a wet Thursday lunchtime to have much atmosphere

We’ve been to the Saracens Head on many occasions, including Christmas Day and we have always enjoyed good food in good surroundings. For no particular reason we hadn’t been for about a year so having heard it was under new management we decided to go one evening with our children. We received a warm welcome and were quickly shown to our table. The menu provided good options for us all including our two young children and there was also a daily special’s menu. All of the meals were well presented and very enjoyable. We enjoyed it so much we returned this week to try the Sunday roast which we enjoyed just as much as our first visit. We received good service on both visits and whilst some of the waiting staff appeared new they were very attentive and made sure we were well taken care of., especially our boys. We look forward to returning, keep up the good work.

Lovely food plenty of choice staff are friendly and helpful dog friendly and beautiful views couldn't ask for anything else

Visited this venue last evening as a group of four and we found the service, food and the whole experience to be a very positive one All of us commented on how enjoyable the pub was and all vowed to return Hugely positive experience We will be back !

Didn't eat, two small glasses of Sauvignon Blanc £17-00!!!!! No wonder only three other people were in there. What a shame!

Just been for a canal walk on a glorious autumn day and popped into the Saracen's Head for a coffee. Coffee excellent. Prepared and served by Joy who couldn't have been more helpful. I will certainly go back again to try the tempting menu.

We enjoyed a nice, relaxed Sunday lunch here. There was a good selection of food on the menu with a really good selection of beers on tap.

I've always had good food and the setting is amazing, but on my last visit, I didn't stay due to how unclean and shabby looking the seating was to the right as you walk in through the front door, not to mention a very unclean smell to the place, please clean it up so I can come back.

I would never go back from start to finish it was terrible and overpriced! We used to go to this pub often about five years ago and decided to give it another try! It was somewhere you could never get a table and was always busy despite being out the way a little. However, after our visit I would never go back!! When we go there one of the staff didn’t even know they had a wine list. The drinks order was wrong when it arrived.The food options where basic and quite expensive for that what there where. Then …. Then managed to spill a round of drinks over them. Yes they apologised but then the management tried to make a joke of it, coming over and saying I believe there was a problem when someone was visibly drenched. The manager then was trying to justify the lack of/ poor service for young staff/team which is not acceptable for a restaurant. A few weeks later the pub was in a new article for 1 or 2 stars for food hygiene. Such a shame - for someone here that used to be amazing !!

This is my local but the last couple of years haven’t been much. I have been tonight and it’s had a change of menu with reasonable prices for amazing food. Been back several times in the last month and never disappointed. Steak was great and peppercorn sauce top notch ! Good service and friendly waitress and barman.

Great lunch. Fab view. Arrived with 95 year old mum and Joy (our hostess) very kindly placed us right by the window with a perfect view of the canal. Mum is a discerning fish and chips connoisseur and she thoroughly enjoyed her requested (very ample) child’s portion. Very fresh and delicious. I had the chicken fillet which was plump and succulent with a wonderful jus and crisp nicely seasoned roast potatoes. My husband had the steak and ale pie . Lovely pastry and a proper steak filling . We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The staff were marvelous - nothing was a trouble and they made sure to check that everything was to our liking which is a rarity these days. We are fairly frequent diners here and would highly recommend

We booked for lunch online and our booking was acknowledged almost instantly. The pub is large with an excellent, spacious car-park, and both are adjacent to the Leeds & Liverpool canal. Most unfortunately the ancient canal bridge next to the pub is (October 2023) closed for a few weeks and perhaps because of that lunchtime today was a bit quiet, but it meant that we had a choice of table. We chose a lovely window spot with a view over the canal and were delighted with that. The menu is not too extensive which is a very good thing; it suggests that thought has gone into the fare and that it is more likely that the produce will be fresh. A couple of things were unavailable but we were told about that when ordering. I had lamb and my wife had a vegetarian dish; both were beautifully presented, well garnished and ample in size. It was especially good to note that the vegetables were of high quality and were cooked perfectly - that is by no means standard nowadays. We both enjoyed our meals very much; I would say that the quality was towards the upper end of gastro-pub food. Prices were reasonable. We had puddings too and these were of good size and, again, they were well presented. Coffee was of high quality too and was served with a shortbread biscuit. Service throughout was timely, and friendly without at all being irritatingly so. It was a very pleasant occasion and although we are unlikely to be passing that way very often, when we do will certainly return.

Lovely venue next to the canal. Tables were sticky, food good, not exceptional. Service quite slow.

This is a lovely place set alongside the Leeds Liverpool canal, we had a 3 course roast dinner, food was lovely and reasonably priced, staff were lovely an nothin was too much for them.

Very friendly welcome, lovely table overlooking canal, great service,great food . Sam and Jo made are visit very relaxing,especially made our furry baby very happy with treats and lots of attention. When your doggy is made to feel welcome everyone is happy will be back for sure.

WE HAD A BIRTHDAY DINNER THERE FOR 30 PLUS ,SAM AND THE STAFF WERE AMAZING EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY WAS LOOKED AFTER EVERYONE ENJOYED THE FOOD AND HOSPITALITY A THOROUGHLY GOOD EXPERIENCE M,ANY THANKS BRIAN HALSALL RIDING SCHOOL

Beautiful location. Great friendly and helpful staff. Fitted us in short notice on a a beautiful table and served us quickly (as per our request) as we had a hungry toddler with us. Food was absolutely delicious! Each and everyone of us enjoyed!! Thank you 🙏

We were told upon placing our meal order that 3 out of the 4 dishes were sold out. When the alternatives arrived, on 2 of the dishes, the chips were inedible, undercooked and solid. When we mentioned this to the waitress, her only comment was " awww, so you didn't enjoy them?" And she promptly walked off !! Usually the food and service here is excellent so needless to say, we were quite disappointed.

Been coming here for a while, great atmosphere and the outside sitting area is great.

We visit here most weeks, the food is always good and the service in particular is excellent. Very good value and always high quality.

Not been here for a long time but omg had the best meal I've had in a long time and my family agree will deffo be coming back soon, the staff are all lovely and friendly, could not fault the place.

This was the third time visiting for lunch in the past couple of months and every meal has been lovely. The pub is really cosy, will be lovely in winter/at Christmas I’m sure and the setting is really nice on the canal. Very family friendly too. The food was really good, we had fish and chips and the lamb rump and my little girl had a burger. All delicious. Could have done with more potatoes and veg with the lamb as it was quite small but it was very nice all the same. The waitress serving us, Joy, was lovely and couldn’t have been more friendly/helpful. Would recommend for food or just a drink sitting by the canal. They don’t take tips by card so come prepared with cash if you plan to tip.

I went here on a first date. The whole night was great. Great service, great food, great company, just greatness. I love this place. We've been back again but just for a drink due to timing. The staff are nice and polite. The food prices were reasonable and the food was so tasty. I'm looking forward to my next visit for sure. Sitting by the canal and having a drink. I can't wait.

I haven’t been for a while and I was quite disappointed. It feels like it’s gone downhill. The menu was ok, although they stopped serving light bites at 3. But the place was run down. Signs of a leak on the ceiling, tables in the bar area had very dodgy legs and all needed replacing. Tables needed cleaning and the bar. Empty glasses not collected. Pictures on the walls were screwed in wonky. Glasses were cheap social club glasses. I realise these are little petty things but they add up to to the details not being cared about and the place presents itself as a high end foodie pub. The staff were lovely and friendly but just didn’t go the extra mile. Like when I asked for Mayo and he handed me an empty bottle and then said ooh there’s not much left. But never checked if I got enough, I didn’t. Food was mediocre and over priced for what it was. £51 for a shandy, wine, one hollumi fries, gammon and veggie burger. Mains portions where small. We left feeling disappointed and with the idea of not going back again. Such as shame as it’s prime location by the canal but not worth spending the money. I can get much better value and surroundings elsewhere.

Lovely setting right by the canal food and service good plenty of activities for the kids and a big car park

Drive from our hometown to the Saracens head on a lovely summer evening ( rare this year!!). Sat down at a canal side table in the sun to enjoy the lovely weather. I went inside to order drinks. When I enquired about menus, I was told that they’d stopped serving food outside as short on staff!!! I went back outside and looked at people already eating their food. To say we were disappointed is an understatement. If we’d had wanted to sit inside a pub on a sunny evening we’d had gone to our local. The fact that a member of staff couldn’t walk 20 yards outside to serve a meal instead of 10 yards inside is a joke. We watched the staff and they weren’t exactly run off their feet. Just be aware if you’re eating outside, ask at the bar BEFORE you’ve ordered your drinks, if they’re serving food outside

When we first arrived we sat outside but it was a bit windy so went inside. One of our party was in a wheelchair. No problem to go inside and move round the bar area. It was quiet and one of the staff said she would take our drink order for us. Two of us were eating and we were told of specials on. Food ordered and when it arrived it looks delicious and it lived up to it. Had a lovely time. Will be back again.

Very pleasant location, and a fairly busy lunch service underway. We were seated quickly, served drinks quickly, had our orders taken and the food arrived in good time - both courses. The staff who served us were lovely, efficient and good-humoured. The food was decent pub fare that was well-prepared and tasty. We'd go back again.

Lovely pub and surroundings the two complaints we have is the menu is lacking choice and it is too expensive.

Tatty now needs refurb,and prices are to high compared to competition. Used to be THE place to go for families and roast dinners but needs a refurbished and reinventing I think .could be fab as location is excellent

This pub used to have fantastic food in a lovely location, unfortunately the food has gone drastically downhill. There is a very limited menu, hardly any gluten free choices, food was cold when it arrived, pub itself not very clean & toilets not as clean as usual either. We were told that the pub is currently being sold & that is why things are not as good as they used to be. We will not be visiting again.

Excellent visit staff especially joy were tremendous would certainly recommend a visit. The service was fast staff very attentive to our party’s needs food was excellent

My wife and I called in for Sunday lunch after a morning shopping.The food was delicious all three courses as always service excellent .our fave eatery.

What a joke, went here to meet friends and have lunch, you have to pre book, the place wasn't busy and we wanted bar meals. When we got there we asked for menus and nobody asked or said until i went to order. If this is the case, make people aware on your website. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone

Revisiting an old haunt from 40 years ago, having lived in Australia for 41 years. Wasn’t disappointed. Brilliant and friendly. Highly recommended. Will revisit next holiday.