Great British Pubs

The Old Dungeon Ghyll - ODG - Langdale

2011-01-22T13:32:00.001Z

Ah, the ODG - the classic climbers pub in the heart of Langdale in the Lake District. Not to be confused with the New Dungeon Ghyll down the road which is its polar opposite.

This has to be one of my favourite places on earth. When we're in there, we've either just set up camp at the local National Trust campsite and are excitedly preparing for the exploits ahead of us, or we've just returned from off the mountains. If it's the latter, there is no beer sweeter than one you truly deserve!

Great range of real ales here. Always a good mix of the light and refreshing and the heavy and strong. Old Peculiar is always on tap, and that's what I'll be having, thanks! If even that doesn't pack enough kick, Old Rosie scrumpy cider resides at the end of the bar and at 7.3%, should provide the required buzz.

Food is regarded as fuel rather than gastronomic delight. There's usually a hearty stew or chilli on, and it's good stuff after a day on the mountains. The 'fly pie' (currant slice) is well worth buying to stick in your backpack the next day.

Occasionally there's music, but there's always good crack in the evenings. Walkers and climbers are friendly folk, and it's rare to leave the pub without having a conversation with someone you've never met before.

Rare viewing of an empty stall.

The Fat Lamb Country Inn - Ravenstonedale

2011-01-17T11:02:00.000Z

We popped into the Fat Lamb for lunch while driving around the beautiful, but underrated Sedburgh\Kirby Stephen area just below the Lake District.

It was pretty quiet as it was mid-week and we were a little early, but we were glad that our bellies had forced a diversion into the Fat Lamb as it turned out to be a classic example of a proper old country inn. Just a small bar, but plenty of seating and no doubt a much bigger kitchen. Lots of old hunting ephemera on the walls,as well as the odd rams head, plus a lovely warm fire.

They have their own nature preserve too, which was bought when a large parcel of land behind the pub went on sale and they saved it from getting into the hands of the local shooting fraternity.

Our sausage baguettes were really good, but I feel a bit ashamed not to have gone for something a bit more interesting, as the menu was gratifyingly unusual. Good beer and very friendly staff too.

The Pilchard Inn, Burgh Island Devon

2009-10-19T11:42:00.000+01:00

Just off the Devon coast near Bigbury on Sea lies Burgh Island. For much of the time, you can just walk across the sands to it, but at high tide your options point to the sea tractor. This is actually far more fun. I'll always remember the time we shared the tractor with a small orchestra dressed in their finest and carrying their instruments, ready to play at the art deco hotel looming over the pub.

The pub itelf was built in the 14th century and serves terrific crab sandwiches, best washed down with the local strong cider. In sunny months (are there any anymore?) the outside tables overlook the bay and are a great place to while away a few hours. The inside is even better, with thick walls providing cover from the most ferocious sea storms.

Unfortunately, the pub is now owned by the hotel and a significant part of the pub is now off limits to those who aren't hotel guests. This leaves one tiny side of the pub open to the public, which basically means this part is filled with a couple of tables and a queue for drinks. I find this attitude nauseating, to be honest, and it put me off staying at the hotel. (If you want to visit an amazing art deco hotel, visit the Midland in Morecombe instead).

So, a great British pub, spoiled by the attitude of it's owners.

Swan Inn Liverpool

2007-11-04T20:51:00.000Z

Liverpool has it's fair share of great pubs, but you'd be forgiven for walking straight past the dubious-looking Swan on your way to check out the toilets in the 'Phil'. I first went in the Swan on my wife's insistance, as she'd spent many a debauched night there in her youth.

This is a rock/metal pub, and a real spit and sawdust type of a joint. The jukebox is loud and the first time I ventured over to it, I was met with dozens of disapproving eyes wondering what the straight-looking bloke was going to ruin their afternoons with. Fortunately I know my grunge/punk and managed to fill the air with something suitably brutal.

This may make it sound like like the type of place you should give a wide berth to, but it's actually a really friendly place. A real night out, get lashed and have a laugh type of place. You've got a far greater chance of getting into trouble at one of those god-awful city centre pubs where the blokes all drink small bottles of expensive yet crap lager and stink of Lynx deodorant.

Fox and Goose - Hebdon Bridge Yorkshire

2007-11-04T20:42:00.000Z

A fascinating old pub at the edge of Hebdon Bridge, the Fox and Goose is a mecca for interesting ales and ciders. There's quite a few that will knock your socks off as well as their own brew which is a very pleasent session beer. (At least more of a session beer than the 6%ers they had on). It's a place with a lot of history and a friendly clientele. We were so taken with it, we tried to find a B&B for the night, so that we could spend more time their, but alas Hebdon Bridge was full. Ah well, there's always next time.

The Golden Rule - Ambleside

2007-03-24T07:06:00.000Z

The pubs of Ambleside cater for a constantly changing clientele of tourists, but tucked away on a hilly backstreet is a pub that people return to again and again. The Golden rule is a firm favourite with locals, real ale enthusiasts, walkers and climbers in the know.

The beer is excellent and well-served and there are even home-made scotch eggs for sale on the bar. Proper bar food!

The Baltic Fleet - Liverpool

2007-03-18T11:23:00.000Z

Located by itself in a patch of ground awaiting redevelopment, The Baltic Fleet is a treat for anyone who enjoys an interesting pint of beer. While it looks like it's in the middle of nowhere, it's actually only a couple of minutes away from the Albert Docks. If you face Liverpool from the Albert Dock, you just veer right, and it's well worth the diversion.

As you might be able to make out from the photo, the range of bottled beers is exceptional, but even better - there's a brewery downstairs making fascinating ales. I brought home a bottle of the smoked porter.

Food is available and we made the fatal error of not going for the all day breakfast. The error being that we ended up staying from 2:00pm until closing enjoying ourselves thoroughly with nothing to soak it up. The owners and locals are just too accomodating! Cracking pub!

The Bell Inn - Aldworth Berkshire

2007-03-18T11:09:00.000Z

Ah, The Bell - perhaps my favourite pub. Out in rural Berkshire, and a short walk from Oxfordshire is a pub that shows that you don't have to pander to current fashions to be successful. Everything is kept simple but effective. Kingsdown Ale is on the ancient taps, but lager is only in bottles. If you want cider, it's made just a few miles down the road.

Food is mainly rolls filled with a big slab of roast ham/stilton/proper cheddar/salt beef etc etc all slightly warmed up. They all cost less than £2 but try to stick to just having one.

The pub has been in the same family forever and they are lovely. Last time we went as I was walking in with a camera in one hand and a golden retriever's lead in the other, I had a chocolate almond pushed into my mouth by the matriarch of the family.

The only downside is it's proximity to Henley/Goring etc. means that there's always a competition to try to get the most expensive car parked in front of the pub on a Sunday, but there's always a good mix inside.

The Red Lion, Blewbury Oxfordshire

2007-03-18T11:02:00.000Z

This was my old local for a while, and even did a season behind the bar there. I was a pretty hopeless barman, it must be said.

As with many pubs, The Red Lion's character changes with the current Landlord, and it's certainly seen a good many over the years. To me, the glory days were always when Roger and Caroline ran the pub. This days, it seems to be at it's best on sunny summer evenings or around Christmas when younger Blewburyites all return home to see their families.

The Minster Inn - York

2007-03-18T10:58:00.000Z

York is chock full of great little pubs serving fine ales. The Minster Inn was just the first one we stopped in last time we visited. It has a very friendly, local feel to it and served excellent beer. Next time I'll take a notebook and go on a vast pub crawl of the area!

The Kings Arms Hotel - Hawkshead

2006-11-05T17:15:00.000Z

Nestled in a small courtyard in Hawkshead, the Kings Arms is a charming little pub. Wordsworth no doubt downed a few ales in here, and maybe Beatrix Potter snuck in occasionally for a swift pint.

I went for an unusual green cider dispensed from the top of the bar, named Saxon's Greensleaves. Very weird-tasting stuff, and it turns out that it's made of concentrate, rather than fresh apples. I guess I'll have beer next time.

It's a friendly place with a good local feel. Perhaps it becomes a nightmare in the summer, but at least Hawkshead is the least spoiled of the Lake District's honey pots. Top marks for the large wooden carving of the king inside.

http://www.kingsarmshawkshead.co.uk/

Great British Pubs

2006-11-05T17:11:00.000Z

Welcome to "Great British Pubs". I currently run a blog called Ribble Valley Pubs http://ribblevalleypubs.blogspot.com/ and wanted to expand my reviews outside the Ribble Valley. There's so many fantastic pubs out there that I don't want to just stick to this small part of Lancashire!