March 2026. Nottingham. My Nottingham gig ends at a quarter to ten so Rescue Rooms can put on a Harry Styles “Fandom Party” (aka disco), a change from my usual London gigs that start just before 10pm and ensure I’m dashing to Kings Cross for the last train, full of drunk HR professionals from Royston.… Continue reading CHEESE COB AND FILBERTS. THE DRAGON, NOTTINGHAM
I CAN SEE THE FUTURE
March 2026. Nottingham. Gig night in Nottingham, a first pint in the Olde Trip in years, and I would have had tea in another contender for the “Oldest pub” title, but the Bell looked a bit scruffy and unloved, so the Joseph Else, my go-to Notts Spoons, gets my business. Yes, yes, it’s non-acoholic Punk… Continue reading I CAN SEE THE FUTURE
THE OLDEST INN IN ENGLAND
March 2026. Nottingham. The Americans were in town in early March, giving me as busy a gig schedule as I’ve ever had. Actually, Leith Ross is from Ontario, but since Russ is taking a break from commenting I can confidently tell you that Canada is now part of America, and who wouldn’t want to be… Continue reading THE OLDEST INN IN ENGLAND
POPPADOMS OVERLOAD IN MALTBY SPOONS
March 2026. Maltby. Rotherham. To add some colour to the monotony of the Waterbeach to Sheffield run I stopped in Maltby on the way home. It only adds 5 minutes to the trip, but gives you the joys of the A634, Roche Abbey and all, before posing the Eternal Question “Is there more to Maltby’s… Continue reading POPPADOMS OVERLOAD IN MALTBY SPOONS
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
March 2026. Shepherd’s Bush. London. Half an hour till my Shepherd’s Bush gig, ought to squeeze in one GBG revisit, surely ? Not a lot of choice in W12, the Defectors Weld has really fallen from grace, but the Crown & Sceptre is one of those glorious backstreet Fullers gastro (Thai, again) pubs that are… Continue reading QUEENS PARK RANGERS
TOTTENHAM CAKE IN W12
March 2026. Shepherds Bush. London. From Balham, a trip across a foggy Thames to Shepherd Bush, where I suddenly found I had nearly two hours to fill and Westfield in front of me. Just like Charlene, I’d never been to Westfield W12’s flashy shopping centre, but if you’ve been to Stratford‘s version you won’t need… Continue reading TOTTENHAM CAKE IN W12
BALHAM, BRIEFLY
March 2026. Balham. London. A second London pub tick in quick succession, the Southeastern service presumably making a request stop just for me at Balham, where I had a restorative double espresso in a cute station obssessed with the local football team. Matcha seems the drink of choice. What even is matcha ? What of… Continue reading BALHAM, BRIEFLY
IN THE DOG HOUSE (BEDDINGTON)
March 2026. Beddington. South London. Wallington. Bandonhill. Hackbridge. Beddington, where I head now to explore the vibrant cultural scene. Names to conjure with, as you wander aimlessly west of Croydon and stare back to where the streets are made of gold. Not many pubs round here, at all, just an Arts & Craft roadhouse with… Continue reading IN THE DOG HOUSE (BEDDINGTON)
PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN WALLINGTON
March 2026. Wallington. South London. Another week, another American troubador*, another chance to makes inroads into London GBG, another chance to marvel at the capital’s integrated transport system as I whizz from St Pancras around Croydon towards Wallington, a mile’s walk from Carshalton and The Hope. It’s not an essential visit, even by my meagre… Continue reading PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN WALLINGTON
“It’s a John Smiths Smooth pub”. The Tuxford Sun
March 2026. Tuxford. Nottinghamshire. Mr Protz wrote the definitive book about the pubs along the Great North Road, but there’s far less of them than you’d hope if you had to make the trek up and down the A1 weekly. I took the sliproad to Tuxford (pop, now 2,809) as I fancied artisanal panini rather… Continue reading “It’s a John Smiths Smooth pub”. The Tuxford Sun
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