To Book Call: 01606 837666
About Us
The white bear was built around 1625 and was one of the main coaching Inns for the
salt town of Middlewich which is also known for its extensive canal network.
The pub takes its name from the popular pastime of bear baiting in the
area and the last bear associated with the pub was called Nell.
Middlewich also had a pub called the Black bear and it was rumoured that the 2 bears
would meet in the Bull ring with wagers taken on which one would win.
In more recent times the pub was a Wilson’s brewery pub which brewed beer from 1834.
The brewery was at Newton Heath in Manchester and merged with Websters brewery
in 1985 before closing in 1987.
In the 1990’s and for the next twenty years the pub was run on a lease through a pub co
before The white bear finally shut its doors seemingly for the last time in Jan 2010.
The building had gradually fallen into such a bad state of repair that it looked likely to never
be opened as a pub again and seemed to have gone the way of so many pubs hit hard
by the economic downturn and introduction of the smoking ban.
In June 2011 the pub was purchased by the Milestone pub company owned by industry veteran
Paul Cochran and business partner John Blaney and work started on the refurbishment shortly afterwards.
The pub was totally gutted over the next 6 months before the new White bear was
opened at the end of November 2011.
A function room was completed in 2012 to provide a venue for family parties, christenings,
works events and live music.
Since opening the pub has won an award for its coffee, has been CAMRA pub of the season and in 2013
was awarded small business of the year for Middlewich which was presented
to Paul Cochran at the Mayors annual awards dinner. From 2015 the White Bear has been entered and part of the CAMRA Good beer guide for the last 8 years with a wide variety of ales, stouts, ipas and other keg beer poured from out four real ale hand pumps.
The pub has had over 150 different real ales on since opening and has once
more become a vital part of the community in Middlewich
The pub also has 3 en suite bedrooms for accommodation with breakfast
Click below to read more about the history of the White Bear
The white bear was built around 1625
and was one of the main coaching
Inns for the salt town of Middlewich
which is also known for its extensive
canal network.
The pub takes its name from the
popular pastime of bear baiting in
the area and the last bear
associated with the pub
was called Nell.
Middlewich also had a pub called the
Black bear and it was rumoured that
the 2 bears would meet in the
Bull ring with wagers taken on
which one would win.
In more recent times the pub was a
Wilson’s brewery pub which brewed
beer from 1834.
The brewery was at Newton Heath
in Manchester and merged with
Websters brewery in 1985
before closing in 1987.
In the 1990’s and for the next
twenty years the pub was run
on a lease through a pub co
before The white bear finally
shut its doors seemingly for the
last time in Jan 2010.
The building had gradually fallen
into such a bad state of repair that
it looked likely to never be opened as
a pub again and seemed to have
gone the way of so many pubs hit
hard by the economic downturn
and introduction of the
smoking ban.
In June 2011 the pub was
purchased by the Milestone pub
company owned by industry veteran
Paul Cochran and business partner
John Blaney and work started on the
refurbishment shortly afterwards.
The pub was totally gutted over the
next 6 months before the new
White bear was opened
at the end of November 2011.
A function room was completed in
2012 to provide a venue for
family parties, christenings,
works events and live music.
Since opening the pub has won
an award for its coffee, has been
CAMRA pub of the season and
in 2013 was awarded small business
of the year for Middlewich which
was presented to Paul Cochran at
the Mayors annual awards dinner.
The pub has had over 150 different
real ales on since opening and has
once more become a vital part
of the community in Middlewich
Click below to read more about the
history of the White Bear
To Book A Room or a Table Please Call: 01606 837 666
To Book A Room or a Table Please Call:
01606 837 666
Contact Us
Opening Times:
Monday to Thursday: 12pm – 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 11pm
Sunday: 12pm – 9pm
Food served:
Monday to Thursday: 12pm – 8pm
Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sunday: 12pm – 7pm
What’s On / Offers
New normal ! Excellent safe pub
New normal ! Went in for a meal and beer. Amazing to be back in our fav pub. Felt very safe ! Well done to all the staff who are all abiding by the new rules to keep their customers safe. Definitely going back some time soon. Amazing to be drinking fresh beer again….More
Enjoyable Relaxed Meal
Enjoyed a meal with friends. The food was good quality and portion sizes were just right as the food wasn’t piled high which I find off putting. Reasonable selection of drinks including real ales. Staff friendly and helpful. Decor relaxed, modern and clean looking…More
Really well organised.
Good food great service.
Our first time back to the White Bear since lockdown. Food is still spot on and tonight we had the best service from a lovely bubbly waitress called Coral. Social distancing all perfect couldn’t have felt safer… More
Christina Newton. – 5 STARS
Real hospitality in a superbly run pub. We felt welcome, safe and relaxed with excellent Covid precautions. Good to see such an old establishment adapting so well to the new world! It must take a lot of hard work but they make it look easy! – Thank You
To Book Call: 01606 837666
The White Bear Middlewich Wheelock Street, CW10 9AG
© – The White Bear 2020
To Book Call:
01606 837666
The White Bear
Middlewich Wheelock Street,
CW10 9AG
© – The White Bear 2020
