The Ancient Oak in Cottam is open following a four-week refurbishment.
Guests can expect a brand-new look that Ember Inns describe as stylish, cosy, and designed to make the pub feel like a home away from home. There’s a refreshed bar, new seating, and an enhanced function room, dining room and beer garden.
The Ancient Oak
A fixed-price menu offers three courses from £13.79 between 12pm and 5pm on Monday to Friday, and for £16.49 after 5pm. New dishes include pub classics and fresh offerings such as grilled seabass fillets and maple glazed belly pork. There is also a fixed-price Sunday lunch menu with up to three courses available.
Ciaran Treanor, General Manager at The Ancient Oak, said: “There’s nothing better than seeing both new and familiar faces settling in by our fire. We can’t wait for everyone in the community to see what we’ve done with the place.
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“Whether you’ve been coming here for years or you’re stepping through our doors for the first time, you’ll still find that cosy, warm welcome that makes this pub so special.”
The Ancient Oak dining area Pic: Paul Currie paulcurrie.co.ukThe Ancient Oak bar Pic: Paul Currie paulcurrie.co.uk
Four-legged friends are also welcome at The Ancient Oak as the pub has a dedicated dog-friendly space in the bar, along with water and treats available at the pub’s doggy treat station to ensure they are as comfortable as their owners.
For more information, or to make a booking, visit the Ember Inns website.
Support local culture:Become a member for just £6 a month, or £60 a year, to help us champion Preston’s arts, culture, and events – and enjoy an ad-free experience while you’re at it.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/aerial-view-of-a-bouncy-castle-right-an-event-held-by-the-big-bounce-canada.jpg?id=59849190&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>If you've ever looked at those bouncy castles for kids and thought, "That should be for adults too," you're in luck. <a href="https://thebigbouncecanada.ca/" target="_blank">The Big Bounce Canada</a> — the largest touring inflatable event in the world — is setting up shop in Montreal from May 31 to June 15, and yes, grown-ups are allowed (and encouraged) to jump in.</p><p>The inflatable takeover will be happening at Carrefour Angrignon in LaSalle, where visitors will be able to book a three-hour time slot to explore the park's oversized attractions — including what organizers claim is the biggest<i> </i>bouncy castle and largest touring inflatable event on the planet. It covers over 24,000 square feet and comes complete with giant slides, bubble cannons, confetti blasts, basketball nets, a DJ booth and more.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEGD_3ztw8p/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEGD_3ztw8p/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Other setups include The Giant — a massive obstacle course longer than three soccer fields — and themed zones like OctoBlast (underwater chaos with foam and inflatable sea creatures), airSPACE (think aliens and planets with ball pits), and Sport Slam, a sports arena where you can bounce your way through dodgeball and basketball.</p><p>While the daytime hours are geared toward families and kids, The Big Bounce also offers adult-only sessions in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays.</p><p>Tickets range from $32 to $65 depending on the age group and experience, and socks are mandatory for anyone entering the inflatable zones — even if it's sandal season.</p><p>If you miss the Montreal stop, the tour will also be bouncing into Quebec City from July 19 to 27, though the exact location hasn't been confirmed yet.</p><h3>The Big Bounce Canada - Montreal</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFc98rdNztn/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFc98rdNztn/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p><strong>Where:</strong> Carrefour Angrignon — 7077 boul. Newman, Montreal, QC<br/><strong>When:</strong> May 31 to June 15, 2025<br/><strong>Price:</strong> Passes range from $32 to $65<br/><strong>More info:</strong> <a href="https://thebigbouncecanada.ca/" target="_blank">The Big Bounce Canada website</a></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p></p>