Stanley Arms in St. Helens

Friendly staff, hadn't booked, fit us in at bar area. Food was lovely. Thank you.

Great choice for a birthday meal. Young, welcoming and competent staff. Improved greatly since I was last hear many years ago. Glad I came back and will definitely come back for more.

Truly a delightful place, and the staff was just lovely! I had my first ever Sunday Roast here and it was delicious.

No designated disabled parking, the access is OK for a wheelchair but no accessible toilet unfortunately. The food was first class an excellent Sunday lunch. The service was just right no rushing.

Came here on Sunday,it was our first visit but won't be our last. Food was amazing, homemade,hot and plenty of it. Service was second to none, very attentive. Would recommend a visit.

Thought we would treat ourselves to a cheesecake to realise asoon as we ate it it’s a £12 Costco cheesecake they’re selling for £7 a slice! Thought better of this place! Eat here a lot too, will think twice now.

Great gluten free selections and attention to detail re celiac disease

We have attended the Stanley arms so many times that we can't fault it. Family owed & family run. Yesterday we held our Mum's wake there, absolutely fabulous service & the most beautiful buffet. Very attentive but not intrusive, great young man on the bar. 5 stars & thank you from the Leyland family.

Very enjoyable experience with helpful, pleasant staff. Food was very good, well presented and good beautifully. First time but won’t be the last.

Food amazing, freshly cooked service top of the shop. Surrounding nice calm relaxing feel, we were in the snug as it was really busy, which was great for us, going back to see what the roast dinner is like 👍

Lovely staff lovely home cooked food

Me & husband went on Sunday evening. The staff were very welcoming & polite. We both had Sunday roast, the food was absolutely lovely & well presented. Couldn’t fault a thing. Very pleasant surroundings will definitely be returning.

Really enjoyed the food & service was excellent 👌

Lovely atmosphere and great food.

Just called as passing. Lovely atmosphere

Had a lovely meal in Nice surroundings. Friendly staff.

I have just come back from a Sunday lunch. I’m so upset. We watched the table next to us waiting for their meal and the woman in a pink top and checked trousers apologise and give them a free dessert. We were asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu by our waitress which we said yes to. 15 mins later I asked for it from the woman in pink trousers as it hadn’t arrived. She brought it and took my order. It didn’t arrive so after a further 15 mins I asked someone else. This was after the woman in pink walked past but despite catching my eye ignored my ‘excuse me’. I then had to hang about to actually find someone. When it was brought the ‘hot’ fudge cake was stone cold with the sauce having a skin on it. I asked for it to be changed which they did quickly. It still was cold and I didn’t eat it. The table next to us told us they come often and didn’t recognise the woman in pink. She appeared again and got their bill and card payment. I asked her if we could have our bill which she agreed to. 10 mins later she walked past and again pretended not to hear me or see me despite locking eyes again. The manager in a white dress with a red pattern on was lovely. I asked her for the bill and she sorted it. As we left I saw the woman in pink eating a meal!! I get it was her break but why not just say that and I’d happily have waited. Really bad service and I won’t be going back on the basis of the woman in pink who was cloyingly creepy to the people next to us whilst totally ignoring us. Terrible service.

On 12.03.24 booked the conservatory for 30th birthday meal in July for family 25 people. They took Deposit, contact number and email address and advised that they would send through the menu to choose from as we needed to pre book. (no Problem for me). 2 months later still no contact from them, phoned and explained the situation I was advised no problem they will get someone to send it over, another couple of weeks later and still nothing, so went in (I don't live close to it) spoke to another different person who said they will get someone to contact me as the boss wasn't in. Guess what "NO ONE CONTACTED ME" I sent a message on the face book page which I received an automatic response from, so I replied to that and was told you need to come into the pub. Beginning of July 3 months after the initial booking I went in again as you can image quiet annoyed at the lack of communication and still no menus, I was given a physical copy of an old menu and they wrote down someone's email address for me to sent it to. I asked if they could still email a copy over to my email address which was wrote in the diary. Also spoke to a cook about me needing gluten free as I am a coeliac she was lovely explained all the different things she could make gluten free for me as long as she had notice, Thank you to this cook she was brilliant. I then got peoples choices from the old menu as they still hadn't sent the new menu and tried to email them to the email address given it just bounced back. Went into the pub again to advise and was told someone will email me then I can just reply to that as they don't know which email address to send it to. The Monday before the meal was booked I got a phone call asking why I hadn't sent the food order through, so I explained all of above and said that I would yet again come to the pub and physically pass them the list. When I passed the list in I asked about bringing in decorations etc for them to put on the tables, I was told that was fine. I was also advised that they wont take the payments from separate people its to much hassle they prefer someone to pay in full , so another thing for me to arrange was for my bank details to them be passed to everyone for payment. The day of the meal I dropped the decorations off only to be told where are your table cloths we don't provide them and when would I be coming to set them up as they don't set things up, I was then advised that we was being put in another room with other people (we booked a separate room for a reason),which I expressed to the women I spoke to. So I was told ok you can have the room but there is a room charge.... no one has ever mentioned a room charge, the lady I spoke to said its here on the bottom of the menus we sent you...(they never sent those I was given a old menu). Anyway the night of the meal and I am one very stressed person because of all the above, we get there and all sit down early as they advised, they started to bring out the starters but missed several people out, so when a waitress came back in I asked where the rest of the starters where she said oh are you still waiting for some? we then had to advise what was missing. The kids had there main meal with the starters at our request, when they brought the adult meals again meals where missing and I had almost finished my meal and ended up going to the bar to ask where the other 6 meals where, after sometime they where brought through and we where told sorry there was a mix up when the order was written down by the staff. After a while we give in waiting for anyone to clear away any glasses or plates and I went to the bar to ask for someone to clear the room and bring desserts. Spoons where brought out and put in a pile on one of the tables so everyone had to get up and there own spoons, then the desserts came out. I can honestly say that I was ashamed for them they made the whole experience before and during totally stressful and I can honestly say the food was ok but nothing special. When I then asked for the bill they tried to overcharge me by over £100, spoke to one girl who tried to fix it and came back with a lower number but still not correct, I had the figure worked out as it was me that was paying. Eventually someone else came back with a different figure and apologised and said the other girl was new and should't have worked the bill out, they had knocked £30 for the inconvenience of the night, I paid and left as quickly as I could and told the poor waitress we would never be back. If you are thinking of booking for a party don't do it go somewhere else. How these people run a business I don't know. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Great food great service lovely atmosphere 👌🏻

Fantastic Country Pub, great Welcoming Staff, Aaron, Dan & Charlie are a credit to The Stanley Arms.

Went for lunch for a friend's birthday super friendly staff and the food was absolutely delicious proper fresh home cooked food highly recommended 👌

Remains one of the best quintessential english pubs, with great food , drink and pleasant atmosphere. Continues over time to produce great tasteful food from professionals who ensure with the help of attendant staff that you have a positive visit. Also has a loyal customer base who enjoy excellent available beverages throughout the day or evening, convivial and positive in friendly atmosphere, all are always welcome to taste the fayre and drink.

I had a great evening for my birthday.

We live in the area, this was the first time we went to this pub. Very pleasant atmosphere, delicious food and friendly service. We will definitely go back there.

Very friendly service, convenient parking, and the best fried mushrooms I have ever eaten in my life. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of it.

Visited many times but worst service ever! Booked for Sunday lunch to take my mother in law out, we have eaten at The Stanley Arms for many years but today was a shambles, the waiting staff were so inexperienced that it became the blind leading the blind, none apart from one young lady had a clue, I asked for extra gravy 3 times, eventually after a ten minute wait I had the gravy, we were not asked if we required any sauces, drinks, there was a lack of interest from anyone. The food was a mixture of the good, the bad and the terrible, my starter of salt and pepper chicken was very good, my main of roast beef was average, the meat was dry and the rest was a little tasteless, then to add insult to injury my dessert was sent right back to the kitchen, we were given the wrong dessert menu, so my choice had to change, I ordered as a second choice the jam and coconut sponge with custard, it arrived with ice cream, after mentioning this I was told to scrape the ice cream off and they would bring some custard, oh my….. the custard was solid and the coconut sponge was undercooked and disgusting, I wouldn’t mind but I waited over five minutes for the custard which was inedible, my meal turned into one big joke! The staff, only a handful must have all been new as they were shadowing each other but never actually seemed to finish the task in hand! I’m not sure what has happened at The Stanley Arms but things certainly need attention. Shame!

We visit this place often, the food is generally good and the service is always good. However we had a bad experience booking our table, the lady we spoke to was rude, abrupt and actually lied to us. We requested a round table if available, and she snapped that all the round tables had been moved to the conservatory. Simply not true, there are 2 round tables . She was rude taking our deposit, and generally gave the impression we were inconveniencing her. This is a shame, because the service staff are always so pleasant and helpful.

Always great Sunday dinners here with great staff

Went with family for our anniversary today service and food excellent friendly atmosphere would recommend we all had a good day

Fabulous midweek meal... husband had prawn cocktail, which he said was excellent, followed by brisket with chips and onion rings, which was all also amazing! I has the black pudding and chorizo starter, followed by salmon with king prawn and new potatoes, again incredible! I would only go midweek as the inside appears small but beautiful big outside terrace which looks like it would get busy. Fresh San Miguel on tap too! All round great meal, staff and service, glad they're not part of a chain. Going back very soon 😋

Plenty of menu options and a good kids menu. Food is always of great quality. Staff our great.

Went for lunch last Sunday for my birthday, 6 of us. We all had a lovely meal, and the service was very good. Staff very attentive, would recommend

Three people visited one roast chicken dinner, one roast beef dinner and the beef and mushroom with pepper sauce all meals were piping hot and well presented the roasts were delicious and the beef and mushroom was first class best meal I have had Dining out for a long time. We have visited here a good few times for Sunday lunch and evening meal and food has always been top class

Dont know if this place has been tsken over the last few years but that roast dinner was the worst roast dinner i have ever had thinly sliced bland meat i ordered a leg of lamb for it to turn up sliced instead off on the bone watery gravy the carrots smelt like smelly feet 🤢 no extras that can be ordered worst 60 pound i have ever spent in me life i will not be returning the dinner was on par with jail food

This is a lovely spot with great views from the window and a large conservatory which turned out too cold for us. The Sunday evening menu is extremely limited in scope and there was only one vegetarian ‘choice’ which was disappointing. However what really ruined the evening was the lack of service. There was a surprisingly large number of staff mostly standing in groups chatting or cleaning tables but we couldn’t get any attention. We had to chase them for menus, my sister had to interrupt her meal to go to the bar. We had to search for them to get dessert menus and honestly it was the worst service I’ve ever had. They even failed to bring back our change (only a few pounds but still). The shame of it is the food was really enjoyable and the general ambience was nice but I would really hesitate to return under the circumstances.

Very nice pub, come across it as we were on are way home, had a bit to eat and drink, would like to go back in the evening

Good tasty fresh food, good service, nice atmosphere

Really good tasty food, friendly atmosphere, good value for money, freshly cooked, good portions, will definitely be back,

Excellent pub with excellent grub!

We went with my wife's relatives never been before, wow what a great meal it was, service first rate staff very friendly. Going back again soon got the card in my phone case, can't pass up a place that's so good.👍👍🙏

Incredible food and a lovely place to relax for a few hours.

Just had a lunch with my Dad and Uncle, great food and I am gluten free and fructan free. Good service and friendly staff .

Gorgeous meal tonight at The Stanley Arms! Very cosy vibe and staff were lovely particularly Paul!! Will definitely be coming back!

Visited here recently on a Sunday for a birthday meal with family and sat in the conservatory which is spacious and bright. The Sunday menu is a small selection of roast dinners and a few other meals such as Cumberland sausage, vegetable lasagna and pie of the day. I found the Sunday menu particularly disappointing in terms of selection compared to other days. There was a small selection of specials on the day. I ordered salt & pepper chicken starter, which came as 4 chicken goujons in a kind of sweet chilli sauce with onions, small salad and single prawn cracker. My wife ordered garlic breaded mushrooms which came with a white sauce on the side. Both starters were tasty, and a decent size costing around £7/£8 each. For mains I got the chicken roast dinner, which was a small chicken breast, 2 roast potatoes, a lump of mashed potato, a small ramekin of stuffing and lots of gravy. Vegetables come in shared bowls, which doesn't tend to work well for large tables. I ended up without any at my end of the table, when asked for more was told that enough was on the table and no more would be brought out. One bowl was brought closer - which is fine but it wasn't what I expected to hear when paying £15 for a meal. I'd prefer vegetables to be served on the plate. My wife got a sweet potato curry pie and chips from the specials menu which she enjoyed. We personally didn't order any desserts but there looked to be a large selection priced around £6.50 each. Other people on the table who ordered them were pleased with their selections. The young staff members waiting on were pleasant, helpful, and did a great job managing multiple tables. Overall I enjoyed the starter, the main was ok but I would have expected better for the price. I personally would like to see more choices on the Sunday menu.

First time here food was lovely service was fine only one complaint wife had the trifle and it came out with flaked almonds on but didn't say it had almonds on .

Amazing food good size portions , well presented, staff went the extra mile to make us feel welcome excellent service, We went for pre theatre meal with the family.. Only 10 mins from St Helens theatre, perfect location no restaurant in St Helens to this standard.. Maybe they could introduce a pre theatre menu.. Just a thought 🤔

Lovely friendly service, fabulous food. Quiet atmosphere as we were sat in a nook for 5 of us. Will go again

1st class good quality food excellently cooked. Visited tonight with family, lovely atmosphere, friendly kind staff. A little pricy, however you definitely get what you pay for. Excellent cuts of high quality meat, veg and accompaniments.

Went with all the family for Mothers Day yesterday 10/3/24 Food was absolutely amazing two courses for £25 party of 8 of us everyone loved there starters and mains and deserts.. Tiger Prawn and Mussels in Thai coconut sauce was delicious 😋 Staff were very attentive too..Great country pub will be returning very soon.. Well done 👏

As always really lovely food, service and atmosphere 😋

We were catered for very well considering the sad circumstances we were there under.

From the moment we stepped in the pub till leaving we really enjoyed it the roast was gorgeous the staff were lovely anythink u asked for they would get u any think it was worth every penny wot made it better was the meal was all fresh will be visiting again

We went as a family for dinner. Service was good it was moderately busy. Ordered food which was really nice ( the server did get distracted and forget to bring our vegetables) atmosphere was nice. Overall food was nice and service good too.

My family and I ate here today and everything was amazing, attentive service, excellent food, and a wallet friendly price. Thank you 🙏🏻

Went for tonight had a roast lamb dinner outstanding, lovely food beautifully cooked well presented by really nice attentive staff can’t wait to go back Thank you

Customer service was exceptional however the food wasn’t the best. I had warm scampi and there was no checking for when we were finished to make sure our desserts came out in time.

Lovely, hot, tasty Sunday lunch, friendly staff, good food, great value for money. Fresh tasty veg, decent wine for a decent price.

A lovely family meal last week. Food is delicious and service is great.

Was part of a large party, food was really good, great portions. Good menu, with lots of choice. Fab service from friendly staff. Will visit again soon

Been going here for years and love the place. Sunday roasts are lovely. Only problem is whenever I've ordered a chicken meal, stroganoff, curry etc it's made with leg or thigh meat which I don't like 🤮 should be breast meat.

Went for a Sunday roast/late birthday meal. Lots of options but chose the beef. Cooked to perfection with a good yorky, and superb gravy too....we asked for more too! Vegetable nicely cooked too. Lots of desserts available too. Lovely

Fantastic the best Christmas dinner ever we will definitely be there Christmas day 2024 the service was incredible can recommend...

Shocking food roast dinner shocking warmed up food one roast potatoe what had been there all day even another couple asked if there was a different chef on Dessert £6.50 for a warm stale waffle hard earned money wasted on crap never again

Great food lovely pub and in a lovely spot to sit outside

Great Service lovely staff food fab, nice atmosphere. X

Lovely Christmas meal with my besties Roast turkey was thick cut and moist and tasty. Lots of fresh vegetables. The waiter and chef kindly arranged to change a starter a little to suit my requirements. Grateful as it was few days before Christmas.

We had a lovely Christmas lunch here, it was a very good menu with lots of choice and the food was delicious. The friendly staff gave us a warm welcome and looked after us throughout our visit . I definitely recommend a visit to the Stanley.

We were out for work’s Christmas meal and we all enjoyed it tremendously. We were i the Conservatory and it was decorated beautifully. The food was delicious and the portions very generous, I had mushrooms for starters and the traditional turkey dinner, everyone enjoyed their food but only one of us managed a pudding as we were all full up. The staff were very well organized and did a great job serving us all quickly. I would highly recommend going for a meal - well done to the Stanley and staff

Lovley place 10 out of 10. 100%

Fantastic friendly country pub with a roaring fire and spectacular food , I would heartely recommend a visit and I will definitely return without any hesitation.

Fantastic Sunday lunch was enormous But service was not good continually had to get staff attention for drinks or anything food came no veg had to ask for it !! My sister asked for a refill on her wine 3 times before it came then when we eventually got the bill ( asked for twice) it had extra drinks on it , while food was good not sure it’s worth it , felt invisible

Beuitifull place x Amazing food

Visited her with my mum for Sunday lunch and we both thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We were warmly welcomed and taken to our table. The Sunday dinner was delicious. We both had beef and the portions were hearty! Loved the home made yorkshire pud! Good selection of veg and the beef was tasty and tender. We both ordered puds and they were delicious too. The servers were really attentive and friendly. We would not hesitate returning here as it was lovely! A really cosy pub without the chain feel at all! Thanks all at the Stanley Arms.

Grear homecooked food. Generous portions. Friendly service.

Me an my partner go every weekend an the food is lovely an the service is too 👌

Best place for a meal ,Sam and all her team are so pleasant and hard working .

Booked meal everything satisfactory except that the 3 course meal that we booked for, the puddings we ordered were not available and then our 2nd options were also not available. Only things available was ice-cream and cheese cake, as we had ordered a week earlier that spoiled the total meal experience.

What a lovely place! staff couldn't do enough for you, food was amazing. Lovely atmosphere, will definitely make a return visit.

Great food and good spot to relax

We visited the Stanley many years ago and left disappointed. We did not return for many years. We don’t eat out very often but have eaten at a few of the other eateries locally. However we had not planned and ended up with no dinner and not really anywhere to go. After a long drive home it was late on a Sunday 6pm. Heading towards the Stanley, I check on line, they only serve till 7pm. Likelyhood of there being any food left this late on a Sunday seemed pretty low. A lovely young lady who had clearly been working hard all day, greeted us. She had to check with the kitchen. Fair enough due to mentioned above. She returned to say yes we could in the bar, no issue for us! We were seated and our order taken very quick and I would say that our food arrived a short while later. Much faster than I had anticipated. What greeted me on my huge dinner plate was the most tender slices of beef and loads of them! Beautiful buttery mash, perfectly roasted potatoes and gravy. On the side was a dish of perfectly cooked vegetables (seasonal) my husband had the same and my daughter had Mac and cheese due to a wobbly tooth! A week ago we had eaten at a pub in Rainford. It was empty at a lunch time on a Sunday. There was good reason for this. At the time I felt it was a mediocre Sunday lunch but in comparison to this lunch it was awful at best. The Stanley showed me what it’s like to have a fantastic Sunday lunch and what’s more was much cheaper! We will return with pleasure!

We would like to thank Alfie and the team for taking such good care of us last night, when we celebrated my Mum’s 80th birthday. All of our family ( including our 2 young and lively granddaughters) really enjoyed themselves, food was great and nothing was too much trouble. Great place for family and friends! Thanks again Sue Brownbill

Great service from a young team and food was excellent. Will be back soon.

Great place to sit out on the Decking and watch the sun go down over the fields while enjoying good food and a good drink . Very friendly place ,not alot for kids but ideal if you want to chill ,of even a meeting over lunch .

Lovely friendly pub, food is exceptional, very polite and courteous staff, it was our 1st visit, it definitely won't be our last! Highly recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow amazing service and food was great really catered to me being gluten free and a vegetarian will definitely be going back

Been visiting the Stanley for several years, they have certainly slipped, in quality of food and service. Customer service wrong drinks order, on several occasions. Order coffee to finish meal, only to be told they can’t do coffee because they are so busy. Pub and surroundings nice. But want be recommending the Stanley experience to anyone soon. Disappointed 😢

Food was superb with a relaxed atmosphere and attentive staff we shall definitely be back

Amazing place to go, would highly recommend.

Very nice pub for a meal and a chill with the family bar staff very pleasant did not wait long for the meals ordered staff more than happy to take photos well worth visiting you wont be be dissapointed

Lovely food and excellent friendly service.

Visited for a belated birthday lunch. Restaraunt is welcoming and nicely laid out and we were seated when we arrived despite being a bit early for our table. The roast dinner was excellent - a good helping of chicken and ham, raosties, gravy, stuffing and a large selection of vegtables all nicely cooked and presented. Hubby had the hunters chicken burger which came with homemade chunky chips, onion rings slaw, salad etc. Both meals were very nice and we finished off with tea and coffee - and just one dessert for me as it was my birthday after all! The staff were friendly and the service was very good. Overall it was a very pleasant visit and we would visit again. PS. We had booked a table and just as well as despite it being a rather wet Friday lunch time there seemed to be a steady number of people arriving to eat.

Had a lovely lamb roast dinner......would highly recommend it

Stopped off here for tea, amazing food and friendly staff.

The worst. I was looking forward to it. It looked okay. Food was like old people’s home. Packet Garvey , thick and horrible. Black potatoes inside ,tasted like out of freezer . Meat taste out of a tin. Dried up. Going home to be 😷

Really great place to stop for drink, food and atmosphere

On arrival was welcomed very well by staff. Food was excellent and plenty of it

I went for a family gathering in August and the buffet food was excellent.

Nice place to be in the sunshine

Two tables the arrived after got served before us. Food arrived before drinks and wrong wine served. Batter on the battered cod was soggy and peas cold. Disappointed

Great food at a reasonable price served by wonderful, friendly staff who really looked after us. We were a party of 11 but the service was excellent. Thank you.