May 2026. Sheffield. Central Sheffield isn’t underpubbed, but apply the cask ale filter and the area around West Street looks a little different. I’ve lived here more than 5 years, I ought to have visited all the real ale pubs in Sheffield, but Cavell’s cafe bar had escaped me. A local institution, probably, across from… Continue reading CAVELLS CAFE BAR, UNSUNG SHEFFIELD
FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE CAVENDISH
May 2026. Sheffield. Mrs RM has been hard at work on her blog this month, and it would be amiss of me not to congratulate her on beating my blog view count AND starting to make money by recommending a travel bag that will fit in that Ryanair sizer if you wear 3 pears of… Continue reading FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE CAVENDISH
RICHMOND (NY) REDEMPTION
May 2026. Richmond. North Yorkshire. Every fourth year Richmond gets a new Beer Guide pub demanding my attention, and every fourth year I leave a Yorkshire tiwn considered one of the country’s best wondering what the fuss is about. This time, I have myself a whole two hours and asked ChatGPT for the essential sights.… Continue reading RICHMOND (NY) REDEMPTION
NO RIFF RAFF IN THE ROYAL
May 2026. Whitby. A stunning walk along the Whitby coast, arriving back in town to discover Eddi hadn’t been yet. I can’t get my head round gigs 6 months in the future for artists and audience as old as we are. Planning 6 days ahead is my limit. The smart hotels on the cliff top… Continue reading NO RIFF RAFF IN THE ROYAL
THE GORGEOUS WHITBY COASTLINE (PINT OF THEAKSTON OPTIONAL)
May 2026. Whitby. Too many pub crawls artisanally curated exploration of public houses over-focus on beer and miss the point of visiting pubs. Always visit a Sam Smiths pub over a pokey micro called “11 o’clock craft bock” or something. Equally, never forget why you’re in Whitby, rather than Wokingham, say, or Walsham. You’ve come… Continue reading THE GORGEOUS WHITBY COASTLINE (PINT OF THEAKSTON OPTIONAL)
OBSERVING HUMPHREY’S RULES IN THE PLOUGH
May 2026. Whitby. Whitby was busy enough for a Goth-free Wednesday in May, enough to keep the cake shops, and the pubs ticking over, though of course Sam Smiths pubs close for reasons unrelated to trade. “Still seeking a management COUPLE” says the advert for the Jolly Sailors, and that couple won’t be Mrs RM… Continue reading OBSERVING HUMPHREY’S RULES IN THE PLOUGH
WHITBY’S STAR
May 2026. Whitby. Dave “US Dave” turned up just as Stafford Paul were contemplating the merits of the pubs across Whitby harbour. Slightly reduced merits these days in the Duke of York and the Board, as Whitby has gone full-on “small pub”. But our Wednesday was very “proper”, four pubs outside the GBG, starting at… Continue reading WHITBY’S STAR
A WHITBY WANDER
May 2026. Whitby. I’d told Mrs RM if she was ready to leave for Whitby at 6am that Wednesday morning I’d take her along. I even threw in the prospect of a campervan overnighter opposite Loftus Police Station, where I parked up, alone, at 9am. Ten minutes later I was on the X4, a picturesque… Continue reading A WHITBY WANDER
TOP 100 PUBS – THE VICTORIA FAMILY & COMMERCIAL, LEEDS
May 2026. Leeds. 3 hours between train in Leeds, time for the Freedom breakfast in Spoons (Becketts Bank), the culture, and a pint in a re-opened classic. Oh, they’ve got rid of the “Family” in the title. Sign of the times. Anyway, the Victoria, one of the Leeds gems, refurbished by the ubiquitous Kirkstall Brewery,… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE VICTORIA FAMILY & COMMERCIAL, LEEDS
LEEDS IS GOLDEN
May 2026. Leeds. A night in Bradford, then a descent through the ornate passageway in the Midland Hotel to Forster Square station, from which you take the Kirkstall route back to Leeds, not the most scenic. But Leeds is scrubbing up well, and that endless renovation of the station entrance may well be a cracker,… Continue reading LEEDS IS GOLDEN
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