The Never Ending Pub Crawl: August 2016

Saturday 27 August 2016

St Neots,Eynesbury,Eton Socon & Eton Ford Crawl 4th June 2016

This was a pub crawl done with my brother who drove me down to St Neots for a birthday treat.
It was a fairly early start to get to St Neots for 10.30am and hit the Wetherspoons for an early drink,my aim was to do all pubs in St Neots and Eynesbury and do a few more in Eton Socon.
It was a really nice day for doing a crawl not too hot and dry.

St Neots

1: Weeping Ash

This is a typical looking Wetherspoons in their more modern look,it was decent enough inside but the guest beer choice was very poor,so i went for a drink i would not normally go for,this was Wolf Lavender Honey,which was a better drink than i thought it would be.

We took our time in here and set off just before 11am to do our next pub,there were plenty of pubs close by and the next pub was almost next door to the Weeping Ash.

2: Pig N Falcon

A decent looking white painted pub,there was a single room inside which i quite liked not too posh,just like a proper pub.
There was a decent choice of real ales on,i had a drink of Potbelly Best which was a very nice drink.
We both quite liked this pub and the background music was to our taste too.

It was a very short walk onto St Neots main shopping street to find our next pub.

3: Coach House

A decent looking Greene King tied house which has had a modern makeover inside,but still seems like a proper pub in a smart way.
There were three real ales on,i avoided the Greene King beers and had a drink of St Austell Tribute which was quite nice.
We thought this was a very pleasant and comfortable pub to have a drink in.

After a short walk along the main shopping street and towards the River Great Ouse we found our next pub open.

4: Brook & Barter

This is a very large and modern pub housed in an old building,the room went back a very long way and was sadly empty apart form me and my brother.
There was one real ale on which was Pedigree,this was a decent drink.
Not really our type of pub but there was worse to come.

5: Bridge House

This is a decent looking pub that is situated next to the River Great Ouse.
The pub was quite nice inside and is a Greene King tied house but there was no signage outside to confirm this.
There were three real ales on,i had a drink of Greene King Molecule of Life which was not really to my taste.
We both liked this pub.

It was another short walk along the shopping street to get to our next pub.

6: Corner House

By the look of this pub from the outside we thought it would be the worst pub in St Neots so we had to do it.
We were right a pretty crap room which had a few younger drinkers acting like twats.
There were no real ales on which was no surprise,i had a drink of keg Charles Wells Eagle Bitter which was drinkable but bland.
I an pleased we did the pub as most other reviewers of pubs would not venture into places like this.

We now decided to walk out to the Bulls Head which is on the main road heading to the train station,after a bit of a walk i decided not to bother with it, i could have walked it but my brother does not walk as much as me and i thought it would be too far for him.

We decided to take the short walk down to Eynesbury which we thought had four pubs,it was not long before we came across our first pub here.

Eynesbury

7: Chequers Inn

A nice looking white painted pub that is set sideways onto the main road.
There were a few different rooms inside with the main bar room to the front being quite busy with older drinkers,the other rooms were probably for diners.
There was one real ale on here which was Shepherd Neame Spitfire,this was a decent drink.
The friendly locals said we would be lucky to get a drink in the Nags Head,but we had to give it a try.

After a short walk down the road we found our next pub.

Nags Head

This looks like a fully functional pub from the outside and the front door was open but when we went up to it there was a table blocking the entrance with details about what this hotel now as to offer.
We were dissapointed and carried on walking down berkeley street to get to the next pub.
We walked past the Hare and Hounds so we could do it on the way back to St Neots.

8: Cambridgeshire Hunter

This is a decent looking pub and a Charles Wells tied house,so i was well pleased as i like doing proper tied houses.
The pub was decent enough inside and catered well for the local drinkers, there is also a separate pool room.
There were two real ales on,i had a drink of Charles Wells Eagle IPA which was a nice drink.

9: Hare & Hounds

Another decent looking pub with a decent sized single room and a separate pool room.
There were four real ales on,i had a drink of Adnams Broadside which was a nice drink.
The pub was very busy with locals.

We were now taking the short walk back to St Neots to pick up a few more pubs.

St Neots

10: Ye Old Sun

This is a really nice looking pub so hopefully it would be just as nice inside,it was.
This is a very nice unaltered pub with the main room divided into three areas and also having a beamed ceiling,there was a bar billiards table to the left and in use,there is also a small snug behind the bar.
There were five real ales on,i had a drink of York Terrier which was a top notch drink.
This is a really nice pub and i am pleased that we did not know about it before going in which made it all the more of a surprise.

We took another short walk and down a back street to get to our next pub.

11: Hog and Partridge

A typical looking back street pub with lots of housing around it.
The pub sported Batemans signage outside but this is not a Batemans tied house.
The pub had a decent single room inside and a good choice of real ales,with five being on,i had a drink of Longman Session IPA which was a very well kept beer and also very nice.
There were plenty of board games available.
Sadly the pub was empty on our Saturday afternoon visit and is also up for sale,i hope this pub stays open as it would be a shame for it to close down.

It was a short walk to the end of russell street and up new street to get to our next pub.

12: The Hyde Park

A decent looking pub that is set sideways onto the road.
The pub has a single room which is very comfortable with it being carpeted and having bench seating which i like.
There were two real ales on,i had a dink of Black Sheep bitter which was a decent drink.
We quite liked this locals pub which was very busy on a Saturday afternoon.

We were now walking back to the car which was parked on the other side of the river, walked past the Jaz Yorks pub but decided not to do it as we had missed out on the Bulls Head earlier in the crawl.
I said i would do a quick walk to the Barley Mow while my brother had some sandwiches in the car.

Eton Ford

13: Barley Mow

A nice looking Greene King tied house which is just over the river from the Bridge House pub.
The pub was smaller inside than it looked from the outside,it was quite smart and busy with drinkers and diners,there were four real ales on,i had a drink of St Austell Tribute which was a decent drink.

I did a quick walk back to the car park to meet up with my brother for the drive into Eton Socon.

Eton Socon

14: George & Dragon

This is a Greene King tied house which is on the main road through Eton Socon.
The pub was pretty ordinary inside with a main bar room and a pool room off it,the one notable thing was a map of St Neots on the ceiling.
There were three real ales on,i had a drink of Greene King London Glory which was not that good.
I was still happy enough doing a pub in a town i have never been to before.

A short drive down the main road and we found our next pub.

15: The Old Sun

A nice looking pub from the outside,but once inside it has had the modern makeover with leather settees and the like.
This is another Greene King tied house with two real ales on,i had a drink of Belhaven Golden Bay which was a nice drink.
A shame the pub is not as good inside as it looks from the outside.

We did a very short walk to get to the next pub.

16: Waggon & Horses

Another really nice looking pub from the outside.
Once inside there was a single room which ran the width of the pub,there were two real ales on,i had a drink of Brains Reverend James which was a decent drink.
The pub was empty on our Saturday afternoon visit.
Slightly dissapointed with this pub as i do not like drinking in empty pubs.

Back in the car and a short drive to our next pub.

17: White Horse

A really nice looking pub with a long frontage.
There was a nice bar room and a separate dining room,three real ales on,i had a drink of Adnams Lighthouse which was a very nice drink.
A very pleasant pub which we both liked.

Back in the car and a drive off the main road and down to the river,we were going to do the Millers Arms but it was not open so we carried on down the River Mill.

18: River Mill

A pub in a converted mill and in a good location on an inlet of the Great Ouse.
The pub is fairly modern inside and seating on two levels,we had a drink in the main bar on the ground floor.
There was a decent choice of real ales on,i had a drink of Oakham Citra which was a very nice drink.
The pub was very busy on our Saturday afternoon visit both inside and outside.
A pleasant pub to visit when the weather in nice.

We were now heading to our last pub which was a drive back through the middle of Eton Socon and past the Barley Mow to the top end of Eton Ford.

19: Eton Oak

An old looking pub that had lots of ivy or something else on its walls.
Once inside the pub had a large single room which had half of it set aside for diners.
The pub is a Charles Wells tied house so i was well pleased and it was the last pub of the crawl,there were two real ales on,i had a drink of Charles Wells Eagle IPA which was a decent drink to end the crawl on.

The A1 was a very short drive from the Eton Oak and we was on our way back to Nottingham.

A great day out and we only missed two pubs in St Neots and one in Eton Socon.

Next up an old pub crawl.

Sunday 14 August 2016

Manchester: Levenshulme, Longsight, Gorton, West Gorton and Ardwick Crawl, 4th July 1992

This was to be a crawl around the inner South and East areas of Manchester. It was the usual early start on the Trans Peak bus from Nottingham and I met a work mate who wanted to do the crawl with me when the bus stopped at Derby. The bus stopped in Levenshulme, so not too far to walk to our first pub and a short wait for the 11:00am opening time.

Levenshulme

1: Church Inn

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This was a smart looking Greenhalls tied house situated at the North end of Levenshulme. The pub was quite smart inside, and we had a drink in the front room which was smart and comfortable, though there were other rooms in this pub. We had a drink of Greenhalls Bitter which went down well after the long bus journey up here. The Church Inn was a decent pub that has since been pulled down, but why?

We took a short walk through some back streets and into the Longsight area to do the next pub.

Longsight

2: The Garratt

This was a typical looking estate pub that was a Joseph Holts tied house, so as a Holts fan I was well pleased. The pub had the usual two room layout with a bar to the front and lounge to the rear. We had a drink in the bar which was fairly basic, but the Holts Bitter went down very well. It's such a shame that this pub has now closed down.

We were now walking north towards West Gorton and found our next pub.

3: The Longsight

This was a modern looking 1980s built pub that was fairly close to Belle Vue speedway track. The pub was quite smart inside with an open plan room. The pub was a Banks's tied house, and I had a drink of Banks's Bitter which was a decent drink. This is another pub that is sadly closed down and gone.

We were now walking onto the Hyde Road for our next pub.

Gorton

4: The Midland

A decent sized Bass tied house with a few different rooms inside. We had a drink in the bar which was decent enough. I had a drink of Bass which was a fine drink. Sadly I forgot to take a photo of this pub. Long gone, and a pity I did not take a photo of it (see Pubs of Manchester for a couple of images of the Midland).

After a short walk and going off the Hyde Road we found our next pub.

5: The Pineapple

This was a large estate pub that looked like it was built in the early 1980s. The pub had two large rooms inside, and we had a drink in the bar which was quite smart and comfortable. The pub was a Hydes tied house so i was well pleased. I had a drink of Hydes Bitter which went down well. Sadly this pub is now closed down.

After a short walk along Garratt Way we found our next pub.

6: The Suburban

This was a decent sized pub that looked like an early 1980s estate pub, but is in fact an original pub that has undergone external work. It was very handy for Gorton market and the shops nearby, but has since been almost swallowed by a Tesco. The pub had the usual two decent sized rooms, and I had a drink in the bar which was a decent room. The pub was a Lees tied house, and I had a drink of Lees Bitter which was decent enough. I think this pub is now closed, what a shame.

After a short walk along Garratt Way we found the junction with Wellington Street where we were told there were a couple more pubs to do. My mate was flagging by now so said he would miss a few pubs out and go in ones nearby and wait for me.

7: The Angel

This was a Geeenhalls tied house with a couple of rooms. I had a drink in the main bar room which was decent enough. There were two real ales on, and I had a drink of Greenhalls Bitter which was bland but drinkable

8: Cotton Tree

This was a decent looking town pub that had Websters signage outside. Once inside the pub had two rooms, and had a drink in a decent bar. There were no Websters beers on the the bar, but there was Wilsons Bitter on which was a decent drink.

9: Royal Oak

This is a nice looking pub that is very close to the Cotton Tree but on the opposite side of the road. The pub was quite smart inside with a couple of rooms, and we had a drink in a very comfortable lounge. The pub was a Boddingtons tied house when we did it, and the Boddingtons Bitter went down well.

We were now heading back onto the Hyde Road to find some more pubs.

10: Vale Cottage

This was a really nice looking pub that was situated just off the busy Hyde Road. Once inside the pub had a couple of rooms and had a proper pubby atmosphere to it. The pub was a Wilsons tied house when I did it with two real ales on. I had a drink of Wilsons Bitter which was a decent beer. This was a very nice pub to have a drink in.

We were going to walk down Hyde Road picking up any pubs along the road, and any that were close by on side streets if we were told where they were.

West Gorton

11: Coach & Horses

This was a basic Robinsons tied house that was situated just off Hyde Road. Once inside the pub was very basic with a very basic bar and a lounge that was not much better. There were two real ales on, so I had a drink of Robinsons Bitter which went down well. This pub has now sadly been pulled down.

12: Victoria

This was a decent looking stand alone pub that had Chesters signs outside, but in a red colour and not the usual green. The pub had a couple of rooms inside,i had a drink in a decent bar. This was a Whitbread tied house but still had Chesters Bitter and Mild on the bar. The Chesters Bitter was a decent drink. This pub has been pulled down with nothing on its site now, what a waste.

13: Travellers Call

A very basic and small Hydes tied house set in a run down terrace of cafes and shops. Once inside the pub was quite small with a couple of small rooms. I had a drink in the bar which was pretty basic, though the Hydes bitter was a decent enough drink. This pub is still going.

14: The Aces

This is the sort of pub I like doing - an estate pub that was in a pretty grotty area of West Gorton. Once inside the pub had the usual two room layout with a decent sized bar, where we had a drink, and a more comfortable lounge. To my surprise there were four real ales on the bar! I had a drink of Holts Bitter which went down very well, while there was also Wethered's Bitter, Boddingtons Bitter and Oldham Mild on the bar. This pub has also now closed down and been demolished, what a shame.

15: The Wellington

This was a top notch estate pub situated in the middle of the grim West Gorton estate. What more could you ask for - a grim looking pub in an equally grim looking estate? The pub had the usual two room layout with a basic bar and more comfortable lounge. We had a drink in the bar which had a bit of a rough edge to it. The pub was a Bass tied house with no real ales on, so I had a drink of keg Worthington Bitter which was pretty poor. I was well pleased doing this pub, but it has now sadly closed down.

16: The Dolphin

The Dolphin was a decent enough stand alone pub that was very close to the now demolished Junction pub. Once inside the pub had a couple of small rooms. It was a Whitbread tied house with two real ales on the bar, and I had a drink of Castle Eden Bitter which was a very nice drink, while the other beer was Whitbread Trophy Bitter.

17: The Junction

This was a really nice looking pub that had a nice green tiled frontage and it Chesters signage still in place. The pub was situated on the corner of Great Clowes Street and Hyde Road. It had a couple of decent rooms inside, and we had a drink in the bar which was a nice room. There were two real ales on, so I had a drink of Chesters Bitter which went down well, and the other beer was Chesters Mild. This pub has now been pulled down with nothing on its site, what a great shame.

18: Wellington Hotel

This was a decent looking bare brick built pub that had a very large factory behind it. The pub still sported its old Chesters signage which I have always liked. Once inside the pub was fairly basic with a couple of rooms, and we had a drink in the bar room which was basic but we didn't mind it. There were no real ales on here, so I had a drink of keg Whitbread Chesters Mild which was not that bad. There was also keg Chesters Bitter on the bar.

We carried on walking down Hyde Road towards the city centre.

Ardwick

19: George & Dragon

The George & Dragon was a stand alone pub that was situated on a very busy road just outside the city centre. This was a John Smiths tied house, and once inside the pub was quite smart and comfortable. There was a single room which was carpeted and had comfy bench seating. On the bar was one real ale on, John Smiths hand pumped Bitter, which was a nice drink to end our crawl on.

It was a short walk into the city centre and back to Chorlton Street bus station for the Trans Peak bus back to Nottingham and Derby. My work mate said he would not be doing any more pub crawls with me as he could not keep up with me.

I am not sure exactly how many of these pubs are still up and running, but I would have thought that most in West Gorton have now gone for good.

Next pub crawl will be a more recent one.

Wednesday 3 August 2016

Bristol : Bedmister & Redcliffe Crawl 23rd January 2016

This was to be my second visit to Bristol to do a pub crawl,i did my first crawl here quite a few years back with the wife.
This was a pub crawl i was really looking forward to as i really like Bristol.
It was a very early start from my home and on an early train from Derby direct to Bristol,just after 9.30 am and i was in Bristol for the second time in my life.
Things got a bit complicated once i had left the station to find the Knights Templar Wetherspoons for my early first half,i got lost and was wandering around Redcliffe not having the faintest idea where it was,just i was about to walk into the city centre for an early opener i noticed three people walking towards me a couple of younger people and an older one,i asked if i was anywhere near the Knights Templar and was told no,but "we are going there so follow us" which i did.

Redcliffe

1: Knight Templar

This is a modern looking Wetherspoons which is well hidden behind Temple Meads station,i would never have found it on my own.
The pub had a single L shaped room and i had a decent drink of Moles Best which went down well after the journey down here.
While i was sorting tickets out to keep safe and thinking where to take my photos of pubs to do later in the day,a man approached me and asked if i was Alan Winfield,this took me aback for a few seconds being in a pub a long way from home and someone knowing my name,i then realised it was Jon who also contributes to Pubs Galore and had thought i might start my crawl here,he was right.
Jon was to stay with me for the whole crawl and was a great help in giving directions making my A-Z redundent for the day.

After walking past a few pubs and taking photos of them as it would be dark fairly early,we found a pub that was open,so it had to be done.

2: The Coliseum

This looked like a 60s built estate pub but was no where near an estate.
The pub seemed decent enough inside and the breakfasts seemed pretty popular.
There were no real ales on,so i had a drink of keg Courage Best which was a decent enough drink and a bonus as it was well before 11am.
Jon would stick to Lagers all through the crawl.

We were now heading towards Bedminster but i was still taking photos of pubs i may do later in the day.

Bedminster

3: Barley Mow

This was a decent looking pub from the outside with a green and brown tiled lower frontage.
Once inside there was a very small single room which was pretty basic and also almost full with older drinkers.
There were no real ales on,i had a drink of keg Courage Best which was a decent enough drink.
This was a very basic pub,not the sort of pub to take your girlfriend or Mam in.

After a walk through the main shopping area on East street we found our next pub open which was just after 11am.

4: The Steam Crane

This was a decent sized pub just off East street and on the start of North street.
The pub had a mural covering its frontage,you dont see this on pubs in Nottingham or the conurbation.
The pub was fairly large inside and bare boarded,the seating was a mix of types.
There were four real ales on,i had a drink of Bath Ales Jem which went down well,but was very expensive,so no surprise that the pub was empty on our Saturday dinnertime visit.

The pubs were all quite close to each other round here,but some were not yet open and i had planned to walk down West street and back up North street which we did.

5: Robert Fitzharding

This was a typical looking Wetherspoons that was just across from the Steam Crane.
The pub was packed inside,the choice of guest beers was'nt great,but i only wanted one half,the half of Cotleigh Tawney Owl was a decent drink.
I thought this was a decent Wetherspoons.

6: Princess of Wales

This is a stand alone pub that is on a back street just away from the busy North street.
There was a single room inside wrapped around the bar on three sides,the room was carpeted and had comfy bench seating.
There was one real ale on which was Courage Best,this was a decent drink.
The pub was empty on our Saturday dinner visit.

We were no going to do any pub that was open on West Street.

7: Jolly Colliers

This was a decent looking pub that was painted in two tone green.
There was a single room which was carpeted and had a pool table and darts board in it.
There were no real ales on,i had a drink of John Smiths smooth crap which lived up to its name.

8: Plough & Windmill

This was a decent sized and nice looking pub that had a couple of signs outside stating Cask Ales so i was looking forward to getting a decent drink,but no such luck as there were no real ales on the bar,but there were lots of handpumps with clips on them but not in use.
I had to settle for a half of John Smiths Extra Cold Crap which was even more crap while looking at what real ales used to be on here.
The pub has a couple of rooms and a pool table.

9: Three Lions

This pub is a very short walk from the Plough & Windmill.
The pub has a very large England flag on its upper half and BS3 on it,i had no doubts that Bedminster is in the BS3 area of Bristol after seeing it while walking round the pubs.
Once inside this pub is a shrine to Bristol City FC with loads of pictures of their players and scarfs and flags,Jon advised me to go the the rear which is up a step and has a pool table and a large window which had good views looking down towards Aston Gate Bristol Citys ground.
There were no real ales on,i had a drink of keg Courage Best which was decent enough.

We now started going into the back streets and downhill to do the next pub which is well into the back streets.

10: Luckwell Tavern

This is a decent looking pub that has a single L shaped room inside.
There were two real ales on here,i had a drink of Courage Best which was a decent drink,there was also Doom Bar on.
This was the furthest flung pub from Temple Meads station and typical in being the only one i forgot to take a photo of.

It was more walking downhill and we were getting closer to Bristol Citys Ashton Gate ground.

11: Rising Sun

This is a nice looking pub with a fairly long frontage.
The pub has a single room which runs the width of the pub,this room is quite smart and also has a pool table,there is also a dining room and decent sized function room.
There were three real ales on,i had a drink of Exmoor Axe which went down very well.
I quite liked this pub.

12: Coopers Arms

This pub is just along from the Rising Sun.
The pub has a single room which is quite smart and very comfortable,there were three real ales on,i had a drink of Taylor Landlord which was a decent drink.
This was another pub that i quite liked.

We were now heading for North Street to do some of the pubs on it,though not all as there would be too many.

13: Hen & Chicken

This is a decent sized corner pub that is situated on the busy North street.
The pub had a decent sized room inside which had raised areas,there was a decent choice of real ales on,i had a drink of Arbour Blue Sky Drinking which was a very nice drink.
This was a decent pub and probably the most upmarket on the crawl up to now.

There are many pubs and bars along North street so i was doing what i fancied while heading back towards Temple Meads station.

14: Spotted Cow

This was a decent looking pub with some old brewery signage still in place.
There was a single L shaped room inside and a decent choice of real ales on,i had a drink of Arbour Triple Hop which was a decent drink.
Another pleasant pub to have a drink in.

15: The Masonic

This is a proper unaltered pub with a decent bar room with a darts board and TVs showing football,there is also a large long skittle alley to the rear.
There were three real ales on,i had a drink of Butcombe Bitter which was a very nice drink.

16: The Old Book Shop

This was not on my list to do,but Jon advised me to do it.
This is a newish pub that was converted from other use.
It is fairly small inside and on two levels with the bar to the right on the upper level,for some strange reason there is a piano in front of the bar.
There were two real ales on,i had a drink of Wild Weather Little Wind Bitter which went down well.
I quite took to this place.

17: The Hare

A pretty small looking pub and you have to go up a few steps to get into the main room.
There were three real ales on,i had a drink of Sheriff Fat Man which was a decent drink.
I found this to be a decent pub to have a drink in.

It was now getting dark so we would now pick up some of the pubs i had took photos of earlier in the day.

18: London Inn

A decent looking pub that is in the middle of Bedminster,sadly the pub now sports the battleship grey colour.
Once inside this was a pretty standard pub with not a lot going for it.
There was one real ale on which was Doom Bar.

19: Black Cat

Another battleship grey painted pub.
There was a single oblong shaped room which ran the width of the pub,the room was pretty basic but did have loads of fairy lights on the ceiling,not sure why.
No real ales on here,so it was a drink of John Smiths Smooth Crap which it was.
A pretty dissapointing pub.

After walking back along East street we got onto Bedminster Parade where there were more pubs to do,but yet again too many,so i had to miss a few out.

20: White Hart

A decent looking pub that was open when we passed it earlier in the day.
There is a single L shaped room which is bare boarded and there were three real ales on,i had a drink of Charles Wells White Hart Bitter which was a decent enough drink.

We passed a few pubs before doing the next one.

21: Little Grosvenor

A small corner pub that is close to the River Avon.
There is a small single room inside that had a TV showing football and very loud background music.
There were no real ales on,i had a drink of keg Courage Best which was decent enough.
This was a pretty boisterous pub and not for the faint hearted.

Redcliffe

We were now getting closer to Temple Meads station and had a couple more pubs to do which were not too far from it.

22: Golden Guinea

This was a nice looking pub from the outside and was also very nice inside,there is a single L shaped room which is bare boarded.
There were two real ales on that i noted,there may have been more but it was the second to last pub that i did,i had a drink of Tapstone Wild Woods which was a nice drink.

23: The Ship

A stand alone pub situated in a quiet area.
The pub had three rooms with one being a pool room,i thought the two drinking rooms were quite smart and comfortable.
There were three real ales on,i had a drink of Courage Best which was a decent drink to end my crawl on.

It was a fairly short walk back to Temple Meads from here and Jon guided me through the back streets,it just started to rain as we left the Ship so we had a good days pubs crawling in the dry.
I went to the station while Jon went into the Reckless Engineer for another drink and his 24th pub of the day.

Many thanks Jon for finding me and guiding me round those pubs.
A great Bristol pub crawl and not my last as i now have a thirst for the City.

Next up and old Manchester Pub Crawl.