I was interested to see on Boak & Bailey’s blog today some historic pictures of the Glasshouse (nee Glassmaker), the pub next to Pilkington’s Glass Factory in the exciting outskirts of Doncaster. Mainly I was interested to see just how gorgeous the pub looked in the ’60s, but also because I seem to have neglected… Continue reading THE GLASSMAKER REVISITED
Month: March 2016
OTTER ON HOME SOIL
I’m starting to acquire an affection for Otter beers. Until last year every half I’d had, typically in Sussex and Hampshire country pubs, had been drab. A bit like Butcombe. Since I started getting into Dorset and Somerset, there’s been some superb beer, which must reflect on the improved cellarmanship in the western counties. I had… Continue reading OTTER ON HOME SOIL
TORBAY – BANANA CAKE & NBSS 3.5 BEER
“And those endless beaches That go on and on It’s magical” Metronomy – The Bay Not sure about the beaches. Joseph, but Torbay has some decent beer and cake, which I rate as rather more important. Having never been to Paignton or Brixham before the weekend I had an image of an upmarket beach resort and… Continue reading TORBAY – BANANA CAKE & NBSS 3.5 BEER
WELLINGTON – MORE DENTISTS THAN PUBS
They may be small but there’s a lot of Somerset towns. I’m reaching the end of them now, and after Wellington it’s villages all the way to the end of that particular Beer Guide chapter. It’s a shame that Wellington has just the one (seemingly perpetual) Guide entry, as the Travelodge was ideally placed, both for town… Continue reading WELLINGTON – MORE DENTISTS THAN PUBS
LINCOLN’S WEST END
Lincoln is an underrated city, partly because of the surrounding dullness (sorry Spital in the Street) and partly due to it’s a perception that there’s just a large cathedral and castle. The cathedral is one of my personal favourites, but it’s the steep walk down from there to the modern town centre that really appeals, possibly less so… Continue reading LINCOLN’S WEST END
THE OTHER SIDE OF SALFORD
It took me a while to get to grips with what constitutes Greater Manchester, itself an entirely artificial construct. What I quickly realised were the essentials; Stockport and Manchester are quite different, and Manchester United don’t play in Manchester, or even in Salford. “That [neighbouring] Stretford and Salford are not administratively one with Manchester is… Continue reading THE OTHER SIDE OF SALFORD
LEIGH WEAVES ITS MAGIC
My last Beer Guide entry for Greater Manchester was in Leigh. I always save the best Manc tick till last, except for the time I had to go to Walkden. Leigh doesn’t make a natural weekend break, but while Mitchells & Butler ran their Innkeepers Lodge in Lowton at bargain rates (£59.90 for 3 nights… Continue reading LEIGH WEAVES ITS MAGIC
DON’T EVER CHANGE
I often observe in this blog on the transformation of British cities, for example by independent enterprise in Mansfield or street art in Weston Super Mare. I didn’t notice much different about Blackpool this week, and that’s fine with me. It displayed plenty of the qualities that made it famous, and the beach looked the best… Continue reading DON’T EVER CHANGE
DOWN TO THE WYRE – POSH BLACKPOOL
I always love my trips to Blackpool, particularly when it enjoys what looked suspiciously like sunshine. A great day to appreciate the local culture. Two of my new Guide pubs are as far from this side of Blackpool as it gets. Poulton le Fylde is a small market town that seems able to rely on Blackpool for all its… Continue reading DOWN TO THE WYRE – POSH BLACKPOOL
TOP 100 PUBS – THE VICTORIA HOTEL , CLEVELEYS
I’m in Blackpool for a couple of days, the only possible follow-on to Royal Tunbridge Wells. It’s entirely coincidental that the trip coincides with an invasion of slugs into our kitchen, no doubt attracted by the smell of spilled Yeastie Boys. Mrs RM has it in hand. To fortify her for the task ahead, here’s… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE VICTORIA HOTEL , CLEVELEYS
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