September 2026. Godstone. Surrey. Three nights in Royal Tunbridge Wells looking after the in-laws, with only a tiny bit of exploration. A rare visit to mysterious Tandridge district; north of Gatwick, south of the Croydon suburbs, west of Churchill’s home and the National Trust parkland. Oh, and very close to Titsey. 5,949 commuters souls, clustered… Continue reading “Do you still sell Courage ?” THE WHITE HART, GODSTONE
CHAT GPT KEEPS ME OUT OF THE CRIME STATISTICS IN LAKESIDE THURROCK
September 2026. Lakeside Thurrock. One of the few selling points for the Ibis in Thurrock, apart from being handing for Dartford Bridge, was proximity to Lakeside shopping centre and its attendant railway station with half-hourly trips to the East End. Just as well, as it’s about as well-pubbed as Carluke. I hadn’t quite clocked that… Continue reading CHAT GPT KEEPS ME OUT OF THE CRIME STATISTICS IN LAKESIDE THURROCK
STREET DRINKING AND SUB-£5 PINTS IN LONDON
September 2026. Limehouse. East London. A gorgeous hour* in east London, even if the new pub in Stepney deserted me. “Walking round London is one of the greatest things on earth. And it’s free” I wrote when I was last here eight years ago, when the Clement Atlee was called Craft Beer Co (which confused… Continue reading STREET DRINKING AND SUB-£5 PINTS IN LONDON
ALE(X) in STEPNEY
September 2026. Stepney. East London. A long trip down south for a dear friend’s funeral and some hospital trips at the in-laws, broken up with a night just shy of the Dartford Tunnel. Can you really say you’ve lived if you’ve never been to Lakeside Thurrock shopping centre ? It’s half an hour walk to… Continue reading ALE(X) in STEPNEY
REASONS TO VISIT DEWSBURY No. 2 – NEHARI AT DESI NASHTA
September 2026. Dewsbury. It’s worth coming to Dewsbury just for the Refreshment Rooms, of course, but just as instructive to wander round a former mill town of 61,035 souls on a weekday, wonder how long the artwork has been on display, and see barely another soul in a town of commanding architecture. Halifax looked a… Continue reading REASONS TO VISIT DEWSBURY No. 2 – NEHARI AT DESI NASHTA
TOP 100 PUBS – WEST RIDING REFRESHMENT ROOMS, DEWSBURY STATION
September 2026. Dewsbury. A Top 100 pub, but also a Top 5 “hour spent in the pub”, except it was probably only 37 minutes. Yes, it’s Dewbury, the land that time forgot, tucked away in that triangle formed by the M62 and the M1, outshone by the honeypots of Liversedge, Ossett and a mysterous place… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – WEST RIDING REFRESHMENT ROOMS, DEWSBURY STATION
ALL ROADS LEAD TO MIRFIELD
September 2026. Mirfield. Your thoughts and prayers requested as I face three (3) nights of post-surgical support at the in-laws in Kent, with zero new GBG entries to entertain me in Tonbridge. Even shorter posts than usual to follow. I’m sure I’ll be looking at some creative rail trips to tick those new Guide pubs,… Continue reading ALL ROADS LEAD TO MIRFIELD
INSIDE SHEFFIELD’S FUSTIEST SPOONS
September 2026. Sheffield. With the new Good Beer Guide about to drop (ugh), and a big trip this weekend I didn’t want to go chasing lone GBG 26 entries these last few days. But as you’ll know my brain doesn’t respond well to being denied daily stimulation, or my legs exercise, so I trotted down… Continue reading INSIDE SHEFFIELD’S FUSTIEST SPOONS
THE SET LUNCH MENU AT THE ABEL HEYWOOD
September 2026. Manchester. Catching up with Mrs RM in Manchester after our respective trips I really wanted a proper meal, on a plate, with a pint, in a glass, in a pub. Sometimes pub food in Manchester can mean pizza or bao buns or crisps, which is why the Abel Heywood is such a gem.… Continue reading THE SET LUNCH MENU AT THE ABEL HEYWOOD
“Meet me at the Piccadilly Tap”
September 2026. Manchester. Early September is always an odd time for this #PubMan, with the new Good Beer Guide about to drop* (ugh), a recovery period after the annual music festival down in Dorset, and the change in the weather putting elderly parents at increased risk. While I spent 4 days walking between stages either… Continue reading “Meet me at the Piccadilly Tap”
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