This Merseyside pub could be crowned one of Britains best in the Great British Pub Awards 2023

The Hightown Pub and Kitchen will find out tomorrow if it is successful in the Great British Pub Awards 2023.

The popular family run establishment on the Sefton coast, is nominated in two categories, Best Pub for Entertainment and Best Pub for Families.

Other Merseyside pubs up for awards include The Bridewell in Liverpool City Centre and The Farmers Arms in Frankby.

Situated right next to Hightown station, the pub underwent a massive £650,000 refurbishment in 2020 and serves local produce and a range of beers, wines and spirits. It is an impressive traditional pub and has a large, gorgeous beer garden.

Here are five reasons to visit The Hightown:

The menu is perfect for all the family

The Hightown prides itself on its food and we can vouch for the brilliant, varied menu. 

In keeping with its family friendly reputation there is plenty to tempt the kids with too.

They can enjoy traditional fayre like sausage, mash and gravy, chicken goujons or opt for the pizza menu – leaving a slice or two leftover for you to enjoy once they are full!

For the rest of us, we can highly recommend the herby hummus starter with flat bread, the Hightown Burger, or if you are feeling like a healthy option the salad with sea bass is excellent.

The prices are pretty good value too, with all mains coming in under £15, except for the 10oz ribeye steak which we can confirm is worth the £18.95 price tag. It’s delicious with its side of hand cut chips and blue cheese sauce and you can enjoy a steak deal on a Friday night when you can get two ribeye steaks, three sides, two sauces and a bottle of house wine for £39.95.

Just make sure you leave some room for dessert.

The beer garden

We know that beer garden season is almost over, but Hightown and Formby are famous for their weather bubble and warmer temperatures, so if we get a mild autumn then this is the perfect outdoor eating and drinking destination.

The outdoor area is massive, and really pretty, so plenty of room for the kids to run about. The large, terraced area leads to a generous garden, so get outside and enjoy al fresco dining before the winter sets in. 

The entertainment

There is a good reason why the pub is nominated in the Best for Entertainment category. 

There is regular live music both inside and outdoors (when the weather allows) and Thursday night is quiz night which is just £1 per person to play.

Sunday afternoons feature the laid-back sounds of artists like the Vincent Brothers and the Frank Griffiths Trio, and Friday nights and Saturday afternoons are also good times to catch live acts.

There is also live sport shown and you can book a TV table online or by phone.

Keep an eye on the pub’s Facebook for updates on entertainment.

The ambiance

The pub dates back to the 1800s and is steeped in history. The massive refurbishment three years ago saw its unique interior given a really cosy, traditional feel.

There is wood flooring, wood panelling and tradition with a modern twist. 

The staff are great and the atmosphere was lovely when we called in, busy but chilled.

The location

Hightown was named as one of the most desirable places to live in the United Kingdom by upmarket estate agents Savills last year.

You can enjoy a walk on the beach before your visit to the pub or visit the nearby Sunnyfields garden centre and farm shop. The pub’s position right beside Hightown train station means it’s easy to reach on the Southport line of Merseyrail so you can leave the car at home and enjoy a drink if you want to.

The Great British Pub Awards 2023 takes place tomorrow at Victoria Warehouse, in Manchester.

Three other Merseyside pubs are shortlisted:

The Bridewell, Liverpool – Best City/Urban Pub – Sponsored by Molson Coors

Brown Cow Inn, Liverpool – Admiral Taverns Pub of the Year

The Farmers Arms at Frankby, Wirral – Stonegate Group Pub Partners Pub of the Year