Cosy Saddleworth pub with new owners serving winter warmers

On a cold, wet and windy afternoon, I ventured out to try The Three Crowns pub, which reopened in August with new owners Stacey Lightfoot and Mick Wilkin at the helm. 

With the dreadful weather I had a hunch this would be the perfect time to try the cosy pub after having seen their traditional menu featured plenty of winter warmers and was soon proven right. 

While it's not too busy here, the pub was busy when we entered and the staff said they had been even busier earlier on (Image: Newsquest)

Pulling into the pub's car park across the road and braving the blustering Storm Darragh as I stepped out of my car, the pub felt like a beacon of warmth in the cold winds. 

Walking into the pub we were greeted very cheerily by our server, who we told we had booked a table. 

Now, while he had the unfortunate job of breaking the news to us that the restaurant had unfortunately had a very 'chaotic' day and had run out of some ingredients, he did so very timely, giving us the option to dine elsewhere if we wanted. 

While it's never the best news to receive, the ingredients they had ran out of (mostly vegetables and sides for their Sunday roast) told me two things; one, their Sunday roasts are incredibly popular and two, they must use freshly sourced and prepared ingredients in them.

So while I was disappointed, this knowledge still scored them a few points in my book and I was also conscious that we had chosen to dine rather late for a Sunday dinner at 6pm so shortages were likely to happen. 

In any case, we were there for their pies after seeing them on their Facebook page.

First, we started off with a portion of chicken wings each for starters, I had BBQ and my partner had salt & pepper. 

After a short wait, we were served some of the crispiest, juiciest chicken wings I've ever had, with mine lathered in copious amounts of sauce and my boyfriend's well-seasoned and garnished with silky caramelised onions and the meat simply falling off the bones. The chicken wings were perfection, with a fruity BBQ sauce and the iconic salt & pepper flavouring (Image: Newsquest)

They were also piping hot throughout, which I've found can be a common problem with chicken wings, as they often are hot on the outside but merely mildly warmed in the centre. 

Next we had two servings of pie, one three cheese and onion and one steak and ale.

My three cheese and onion pie, with the extra gravy I asked for (Image: Newsquest)

My cheese pie was flavourful and the filling was the perfect consistency with just the right amount of onions and the golden pastry encasing it was sturdy, buttery and flavourful.

The steak pie my partner tucked into had generous helpings of thick steak chunks with a rich gravy coating and the added surprise of potatoes making it a really hearty serving and then encased in the same tasty pastry.

steak and ale pie from The Three Crowns (Image: Newsquest)

Both dishes were served with homemade chips with an exquisite crispy outside and fluffy inside as well as beans with the cheese pie and peas and gravy with the steak. 

And, though it's not standard with the dish, I'm a sucker for gravy and so I had asked if I could have a jug with my cheese pie, which was happily done with no qualms by the staff. 

I was glad I'd requested it too because it was a rich and flavourful companion which, for me, finished the dish off perfectly. 

Salt & pepper wings with caramelised onions (Image: Newsquest)

We were both shamefully defeated by our mains and didn't have an inch of room for dessert but before we left, a table nearby was served theirs and they looked delectable, well presented and I slightly regretted my decision.

The atmosphere in the pub was also a serious bonus, with the interior reflecting its longstanding history in the borough and fusing the age of the building with a modern feel. 

They had also decorated the pub beautifully for the festive season with a Christmas tree, garlands above the fireplaces and snowflakes pinned to the beams on the ceiling as well as frost paintings on the windows. 

In total, for two two-course meals, a pint of Diet Coke and a pint of normal Coke, we paid £47.35 and left feeling thoroughly satisfied with our meals and the price we paid. 

It's definitely a great spot to head to on a date night, a family meal or when out with friends as the welcoming atmosphere and amazing service means it's really a pub for all occasions. 

The Three Crowns pub is on Huddersfield Road, Scouthead and opens Tuesday to Saturday 12pm till 11pm and Sundays 12pm till 9pm.