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    The Bobbin

    Lancaster · Beer garden · 4.4★ · 530 reviews

    98%Sun Score
    ☀️ In the Sun

    SW-facing · 220°

    In the sun until 6:51 pm · 4h 29m remaining

    NESW
    SW-facing

    In the sun

    Garden in sunlight

    In the sun until 6:51 pm

    4h 29m remaining

    Sun today

    9 May

    6am10am3pm6pm9pm2pm ▲
    SW-facingDog friendlyHeatersCovered areaReal aleFamily friendlyAccessibleLive music
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    Best for
    Live music & outdoor drinks
    Mon–Thu 4–11pm · Fri 3pm–midnight · Sat 12–midnight · Sun 12–11pm

    About The Bobbin

    The Bobbin is a 19th-century street corner pub on Cable Street with a medium-sized garden that faces south-west (220°). That bearing means afternoon sun from around 1pm, getting better through the golden hour and staying lit well into the evening during summer months. The covered section means a light shower doesn't have to end your session, and outdoor heaters add warmth when the sun dips.

    The Bobbin is featured in our guide to the best Lancaster pubs — our editorial pick of the 17 city pubs grouped by character.

    Quick facts

    AreaLancaster
    Best forLive music & outdoor drinks
    Outdoor spaceMedium beer garden
    Good inafternoon, cooler evenings, light rain
    AtmosphereLively, music-friendly

    Why go here

    • South-west-facing garden — strong for afternoon sun
    • Good real ale selection
    • Dog-friendly throughout

    Sun and outdoor setting

    The Bobbin has a south-west-facing beer garden (220°), which means it typically catches the best sun late morning through the afternoon. The medium outdoor space is partially covered, making it a reasonable option even on breezier days.

    Golden Pints tracks the sun position for this pub in real time — check the live tracker to see whether it's currently in sun, partial sun, or shade before heading out.

    Best for

    Afternoon sunDog-friendlyFamiliesLive musicReal aleSheltered option

    Nearby

    The Bobbin is well placed if you're already around Lancaster's city centre, the canal, the castle quarter, and the university. It can work well as part of a wider afternoon or evening out in Lancaster.

    Want to know if The Bobbin is catching the sun right now? Check the live tracker.

    More from Golden Pints

    Background & facts

    Factual context for The Bobbin — heritage, what's on site, and how the sun reaches the garden. Sourced from public records; no subjective claims.

    Heritage

    The Bobbin sits at 36 Cable Street and is recorded by CAMRA as a largely Victorian pub with parts of the building dating to the eighteenth century. Historically it was operated within the Mitchell's of Lancaster estate — Mitchell's was founded in 1865 and at its peak ran around 100 pubs across the area. The Mitchell's brewery itself stopped brewing on 7 July 1999, but several of its former Lancaster pubs, including the Bobbin, remained as trading venues.

    What's on site

    Open-plan interior with raised areas and pillars. Real ale, dog-friendly, family-friendly during the day, with live music, outdoor heaters and a covered section in the garden. No food served.

    Sun window

    The garden bearing of 220° (south-west) gives the seating direct sun from early afternoon into the evening on clear days. The 140° open angle keeps a wide spread of seating in sun together as the afternoon goes on.

    Walking distance

    Around 8 minutes' walk from Lancaster railway station. Walking route on Google Maps.

    Sources

    Facebook 4.4★ Google

    Garden details

    Faces

    SW (220°)

    Size

    medium