Pub Of The Season Spring 2026 - The Axe & Cleaver

Our Spring “Pub of the Season” is the venerable Axe & Cleaver in Dunham Massey. Famous as a food-led pub in Greene King's “Chef & Brewer” estate, it has been dispensing fine ale since the early part of the 19th century. The exact date of opening is not known but it is thought to have been first licensed under one of the Beerhouse Acts of either 1830 or 1840. The pub still has on display a photo of the original building which certainly suggests the late Georgian era.

Today the pub is run by manager Neil and assistant manager Talia, along with Paul (cellarman, beer selector and all-round ale guru), and a huge crew of cooks and waiting staff. The clientele ranges from walkers and visitors to the Dunham Massey estate to boat and narrowboat travellers on the nearby Bridgewater Canal, and of course, innumerable wakes and memorial functions in connection with Altrincham Crematorium (the record is four wakes in one day, at carefully staggered intervals).

But local people still drop in for a pint - it is still very much a Public House where you don't have to dine to have a drink. You may have to stand around the north end of the bar, or by the back entrance to the pub, to avoid being run over by energetic waitrons (to use a good South African word). Or you can take your pint out the gardens - a popular spot at sunset, with views out over farmers' fields.

The beers today are all from the Greene King range; sadly, the pub is no longer able to buy directly from the nearby Dunham Massey Brewery. Typical beers include Axe & Cleaver Bitter (thought to be brewed to the recipe for the old Hardy's & Hanson's Bitter), and Morland Original Bitter.

At the back of the pub there's a substantial but disused building, the old stables. Within living memory there was a function room here, and a bowling green behind it.
Please join us on Saturday 9th May, from 12 noon onwards, when Trafford & Hulme CAMRA will be presenting a well earned Pub of the Season certificate to the Axe & Cleaver.

Most Improved Pub(s) of the Year

This year we are lucky enough to have not one but two pubs in out Most Improved Category - the Auld Chimp in Urmston and Electrik in Chorlton

Our inability to separate these two means we have to have 2 awards nights - the first on the 9th April for the Auld Chimp, followed by a tour of some other pubs in Urmston, the second on the 30th April at Electrik in Chorlton (where, no doubt, we will also visit some nearby pubs). Awards usually start around 8pm

The Auld Chimp, formerly the Steamhouse, is part of the Brew Chimp empire and features, you guessed it, Irish Ales amongst more local offerings.

Electrik, a long standing part of Chorlton's Beer scene, has upped it game with 3 real ales after many years struggling to sell 2, Jaipur and Sonoma usually are present along with a rotating guest from Red Willow or other, slightly more local, breweries.

LocAle Pub of the Year 2026

The Longford Tap has once again shown us its commitment to locally brewed ales, they actively promote what ales they have on social media. Congratulations to Paul and Dave Burgess on their 3rd consecutive year winning this award. They were also runner up in our Community Pub category.

Join us on the 16th April from 8pm (it's quiz night and it gets quite lively but don't let thet put you off)

Check out their socials for upcoming events (and ales!):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLongfordTap/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/longfordtap

And the winner is... Pub & Club Awards 2026

Trafford & Hulme CAMRA members recently voted for the pubs and clubs that they rated the very best in our area.

So as they say in the awards ceremonies, without further ado, the winners are:

Pub Of The Year

Winner: The Beer House, Chorlton
Presentation: 1st May

Runner Up: The Fox Pub & Kitchen, Flixton

Club Of The Year

Winner: Flixton Conservative Club, Urmston

Runner Up: The Carlton Club, Whalley Range

Cider Pub Of The Year:

Winner: The Apple Barn, Dunham Massey

Best LocAle Pub:

Winner: The Longford Tap, Stretford
Presentation: 16th April

Best Community Pub/Club

Winner: The Carlton Club, Whalley Range

Runner Up: The Longford Tap, Stretford
Presentation: 16th April

Most Improved Pub/Club

Joint Winner: The Auld Chimp, Urmston

Joint Winner: Electrik, Chorlton