The Old Wellington, affectionately known by some as The Welly, is a traditional English pub right by the Printworks and Manchester Cathedral, on The Shambles Square along with The Mitre and Sinclair’s Oyster Bar. Much of the square is taken up by outside seating and, with the surrounding tall buildings looming above, it feels like you have stumbled across one of Manchester’s secret spaces. 

It really is one of a kind - the building is one of the oldest of its type in the city and together with Sinclair’s it was moved brick by brick up the road as part of post-bomb city centre regeneration in the mid-90s! The pub’s interior reflects this age, with wooden beams and tables, and dedicated traditional dining rooms serving the likes of venison sausages and a whole host of gourmet pies. The quality and range of well-kept real ales is good (local and national breweries of all shapes and sizes provide guest casks), as is the wine list - and their whiskies are worth a mention too.