You left me on Day 3 of the Forest of Dean Big Tick, having just been warned by a pub cat to “beware the back streets of Cinderford“. It took me to realise that’s what those miaows meant, I don’t speak cat and had to use Shazam.
Next stop, Upper Soudley’s White Horse., tucked between New Fancy View and Brain’s Green in the most attractive part of the Forest. Notice too the Adventure Activities near Fancy View; that should mean a flood of Guardian readers heading to the local pubs, surely ?
Perhaps they were all watching Upper Soudley FC v Cinderford Ex-convicts II, who can tell ? I turned up just as the “Souds” were about to take a penalty that would have been taken quicker if they’d had VAR to resolve the dispute (Note to Americans – they don’t).
I’ve got the resultant penalty save on my phone, but sadly I don’t know how to upload it for you. Perhaps Mark can draw it if I send him the video.
The White Horse was due to open in ten minutes, but I noticed two cheery folk having a fag and a laugh in the lovely garden and, assuming an early start for the football, strolled on in.
A young chap emerged from the back room, looking a little startled, but kindly served me early.
That must have startled me, as the photo is wobbly despite my best creative filtering efforts. Perhaps Mark can draw that Cotleigh Tawney handpump.
Thoroughly pulled through before being served, this was the beer of the trip, cool and chewy (NBSS 3.5+), unless Cinderford could nick the crown.
The Landlady came in from the garden and said hello, which was nice.
“Are you one of them tickers then ?”
Grief, how many of us are there ? I assumed she meant the pub rather than the rare beers on the bar.
I owned to that crime, and she seemed delighted I was enjoying her beer. No, of course I didn’t tell her the score. That’s a state secret.
“I wouldn’t give you rubbish” said the Landlord. “Costs us a few quid to pull it through but it’s worth it”.
That’s the attitude that will save cask, and save wet-led gems like this.
No food, evening opening only during the week, but a thoroughly marvellous throwback to what pubs were like the last time England won the World Cup.
Just ignore the cushions.
I left just before 22 muddy footballers rolled up to debate penalties, encroachment and obstruction.
“Where you off next ?”
“Cinderford, I thought“.
“Jeff, don’t let him go Jeff“
retiredmartin 
No wild boar spotted yet? According to popular Red Tops can’t move in the area without risking a goring. Perhaps all lurking down the back streets of Cinderford, hence veiled warnings of the locals?
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Fate worse than goring (not the Oxfordshire one) coming up.
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Opening early, good beer, no food and proper seating – that’s four indications of a Proper Pub.
And I expect the toilets were outside.
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I didn’t see them inside, put it that way.
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“22 muddy footballers rolled up”.
Were the subs not invited, or just not muddy?
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Subs ? In the Forest of Dean ? They weren’t introduced till 1965, remember.
(Quite a good rescue by me there, I thought).
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and thankfully it’s not one of those pubs with a “No Siled Clothing” sign by the door.
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Oh yes, good spot (of absence).
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Excellent boozer. Noticed the ground’s picturesque setting on my visit and no, I haven’t been there! Enjoying your posts from the Forest.
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Think that was it for the Dean, pre-emptive in Cinderford apart. Oddly, I did five there a few years ago and the current lot are completely different. What that says, I don’t know.
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That’s gentrification for you though as your posts show there are still some good boozers there.
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“I don’t speak cat and had to use Shazam.”
I call fake news. Shazam only works on lyrics. 🙂
“Fancy view not that fancy”
I see there’s an Air Shaft just to the west of Upper Soudley. Is that like an Air Strip only rotated 90 degrees?
“Bucolic”
No argument here.
“Early start”
You’re letting yourself be seen again (mirror).
“Art shot”
He looks more like a Michael to me.
“That’s the attitude that will save cask, and save wet-led gems like this.”
No argument here. 😉
““Jeff, don’t let him go Jeff“”
The build up is… building up!
Cheers
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I build you up to let you down.
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Sounds like a proper pub to me.
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Fantastic post!!! Amateur football, beer and great pubs – what could be better!
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Bass. Or Pedi. ;-))
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That’s a good point! Yes Bass could make it better!
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