The Shovel Inn in Lancaster

Great traditional pub, good real ales, helpful and friendly bar staff went out their way to make sure we got back to our campsite safe

We walked to Carnforth from our hotel in Tewitfield, 3 miles away, and got soaked in a rainshower. We decided to go into the first pub we came to and found 'The Shovel'. After a 'we don't get many strangers in these parts' look as we entered we were made very welcome indeed. The place is tiny, and there were a handful of locals propping the bar up. The price of the drinks was very reasonable indeed, and there was a good choice of good beers. The landlord being from the Geordieland area recognised we were from Teesside by our accents, and the clientelle opened up to us and were very chatty, friendly and helpful with advice on the locality, transport etc. One of the reviews I read said that it smelled as if a wet dog lived there, whereas it did have a bit of a smell of dogs, it is because it is a place where the locals take their dogs when pretending to take them for a walk. We enjoyed our couple of drinks with good company, so we returned the following day for 'a couple'. In summary, an old fashioned proper pub with a welcoming atmosphere

Ended up here after our original place had a power cut , was really pleasantly surprised . Although it’s not the prettiest it ticks all the boxes for food ! We had homemade pie followed by homemade rhubarb crumble and it was delicious . Loads of gins to choose from and both locals and owners where really friendly . Pool table and cds made the night really fun and entertaining . Give it a go not many proper pubs left like this 👍

Dog friendly, people friendly, with good beer and excellent scotch eggs. Toilets could do with some tlc but well worth a visit.

Stumbled upon this pub. Great food and lovely friendly atmosphere. They made our dog welcome too - which was an added bonus.

Popped in as was moored up in Carnforth for the night and wanted to watch live football. We got a nice welcome in a friendly boozer. There is no food here and dogs are allowed inside but neither is an issue with me. The locals and bar staff were all friendly, e got to see the footie and the beer was blooming lovely. A good boozer!!

It's fantastic. Great people, great bar staff great location and great prices. Although they do allow dogs which isn't always a good thing

The pub no longer does food and is one of the few remaining "pubs" in the country. The bar staff and locals are friendly and they allow dogs in too. Also kids to s certain time in the evening if well behaved. Great old style pub with great well kept real ales on tap as well as the usual lagers etc. snacks are available such as crisps etc.

Dropped in yesterday to watch live football, very dated and small little local pub friendly landlord and locals, doesn't do food, great beer though

Driving from Scotland to Cheshire with kids and looked for a place to stop off the M6. Found The Shovel Inn online and within few minutes from leaving M6 we were in. Staff was friendly, patient with the kids noise and request, local people having fun around us. Ale were great. Food was of a good selection and yes cooked for real, one of the best fish and chips i ever had, then a great steak pie, and liver too... all fantastic. Well done guys, a pub should be like this one.

If you love your real ale, this is the place to drink! It's a small quirky traditional drinking house with a warm welcome and a roaring fire in winter!

lovely staff, good welcome from locals, brilliant atmosphere, entertainment most weekends, homemade food choice of superb cask ales

just got a static caravan on a site not to far from this inn , just a short walk along the canal and you reach the shovel inn , proper old English pub , nice and friendly , great if you have a dog they are also welcome, I class this as my new local , and will be paying many a visit when up at the caravan, good one.

Very friendly landlord and landlady. The real ale was very well kept and they had a good choice of beers. Bar staff were also very friendly and very welcoming. Football was on the telly and later (thank goodness) it was on the music channel. Overall ... if your in the Carnforth area try the Shovel on North Road, and meet the locals, its well worth a visit.

Real fire and well kept selection of hand-pumped real ales, including local brews. Why this pub is not in the Good Beer Guide is a mystery. Friendly staff and sport on the TV.

We visited The,Shovel Inn being invited by a friend. We enjoyed a tasty buffet lunch, basic food but what we had was good. More than that, the staff and locals were extremely friendly and welcoming. It all contributed to a really good visit. Definitely worth a return trip.