One of the things guests are most surprised by is how many good places there are to eat and drink in Poulton. For a small town, it punches well above its weight. Almost everything listed here is within ten to fifteen minutes’ walk of Highcross Corner, which means you can leave the car on the driveway and walk home afterwards.
Pubs
The Thatched House
Hardhorn Road (5 minutes’ walk from Highcross Corner)
A Thwaites pub with an attractive thatched roof — one of the most recognisable buildings in Poulton. It does not serve food, but it is a great pub for a pint and has a beer garden. Dog-friendly. It is the closest pub to Highcross Corner and the natural first stop for a drink after arriving. We have a separate guide to the Thatched House.
The Old Town Hall
Market Square
A traditional pub in a fine building right on the square. Good real ales at fair prices, a warm atmosphere, and the kind of proper old-fashioned pub that is increasingly hard to find. No food gimmicks — just well-kept beer in a handsome room. A good choice if you appreciate real ale.
The Poulton Elk (Wetherspoons)
Market Square
A large Wetherspoons occupying a prominent corner of the square. It does what Wetherspoons does: reliable, cheap food and drink served quickly. Useful for large groups who want to eat together without breaking the bank. The building itself is attractive. If you are feeding ten people on a budget, this is your friend.
The Golden Ball Hotel
Market Square
A Greene King pub on the square. Dog-friendly, with a standard pub food menu, live sport on screens, and a sociable atmosphere. It runs regular events and quiz nights.
The Castle Gardens (Ember Inns)
Garstang Road (10 minutes’ drive — not walking distance)
Out of the town centre, off the A585. A large pub with a spacious beer garden, free parking and a full food menu. Dog-friendly. It is convenient if you are driving or want more space than the town-centre pubs offer. Popular with families.
Restaurants
Agora Turkish Cuisine
Town centre (10 minutes’ walk)
A Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant with outdoor seating on the pedestrianised street. Good mezze, grilled meats and flatbreads in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Next door is its sister venue Espanol, a small tapas bar. Both are good options for something a bit different from the standard pub menu.
FY6 Bar and Restaurant
Queensway (8 minutes’ walk)
Poulton’s most ambitious dining venue. FY6 offers a gourmet menu with locally sourced ingredients, a cocktail bar, live music on weekends, and a stylish atmosphere. It is a good option for a special evening out or a celebration meal. Booking advisable at weekends.
Brew and Bones
Town centre
A bar and restaurant specialising in homemade pizza and chicken wings, with craft beers and cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun. No need to book — just turn up. Good for a casual evening, especially if your group includes teenagers or young adults who want something less formal than a traditional pub.
The Greedy Badger
Singleton (5 minutes’ drive)
Just outside Poulton in the village of Singleton, the Greedy Badger is based at the Miller Arms pub. It offers a proper restaurant menu using locally sourced ingredients, in a charming country-pub setting. Worth the short drive for a good meal in a quieter setting than the town centre.
The Shard Riverside
Hambleton (10 minutes’ drive)
A riverside pub and restaurant on the banks of the Wyre estuary, with panoramic views across the water. The outdoor terrace is a lovely spot on a warm evening. The menu focuses on locally sourced seafood and pub classics. Worth the short drive for the setting alone.
Cafes and Daytime Eating
Poulton has a good selection of cafes in and around the market square, most of which serve sandwiches, light lunches and excellent cakes. Several have outdoor seating that catches the sun on warmer days.
For a lazy morning, wander into town, get a coffee and a pastry, browse the shops (especially on market Monday), and enjoy the atmosphere of the square.
Takeaways and Delivery
If you want to eat in at Highcross Corner — and with a large kitchen, a breakfast room and a garden, this is a very pleasant option — Poulton has the usual range of takeaway options including Chinese, Indian, pizza and fish and chips. Most will deliver to Highcross Corner.
Fish and chips — there are several chip shops in the town centre. Ask locally for the current favourite; allegiances shift regularly and opinions are strong.
Supermarkets and Self-Catering
If you prefer to cook, Highcross Corner has a fully equipped kitchen with a gas hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher and all the usual utensils. For supplies:
Booth’s (10 minutes’ walk, in the Teanlowe Centre) — a Lancashire family-owned supermarket with excellent fresh produce, a good deli counter, local cheeses and meats, and a wine selection that puts most supermarkets to shame. If you are from outside Lancashire, Booth’s will be a pleasant discovery. Think of it as Lancashire’s answer to Waitrose, but better.
Aldi (Ball Street, 12 minutes’ walk) — for everyday staples at lower prices.
For more detail on grocery shopping, see our groceries guide.
Tips for Large Groups
If you are staying at Highcross Corner with a large party (eight to ten people), eating out together can be a challenge — not every restaurant can seat ten at short notice. Our recommendations:
- Book ahead if you want to eat at FY6, the Greedy Badger or anywhere with table service. A few days’ notice is usually enough.
- The Poulton Elk (Wetherspoons) is the most reliable option for large groups without a booking — it is big enough to accommodate most parties.
- Split up. If the adults want a proper meal out and the children would rather have pizza, Poulton is small enough that you can eat at different places and walk home separately.
- Eat in. With a kitchen this well equipped, cooking a big meal together can be one of the best evenings of the trip. Booth’s has everything you need.
Highcross Corner is a 5-bedroom self-catering house in Poulton-le-Fylde, sleeping up to 10 guests. Ten minutes’ walk from the town centre, pubs and restaurants. Dogs welcome. Check availability and book your stay →