SCARBOROUGH FAIR

On to Scarborough, with my Malton tick closed (half of Malton looks closed on WhatPub).

The sun had made a brave effort to join me on the east coast, but with ever-present clouds I was glad that Wilson’s, renamed for the star of Tom Hanks’ Castaway, was so close to the station.

On my annual trip to Scarborough I tried in vain to convince myself the town has architectural merit, but it’s all about the bay, isn’t it ?

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My tick is up a little hill, always a joy.

Wilsons, aka Leeds Hotel, is one of those big all-day drinking dens you get in seaside towns, a bit like Saddles in Blackpool or the Baron’s Bar in Southport.

Don’t the Yorkies do good pubs ?

The landlord only has space for me on the upstairs balcony; it’s the only time in my life I’ve been escorted up the stairs with the promise of a pint of Plum Porter to follow.

The balcony has a group of Rugby League lads on holiday from Barnsley (do they even do League in Barnsley?)

Bawdy banter, and a great view to the sea and the hills.

Apparently I may have to share the table with another “single“, though it hardly feels like a pub for “singles” of any flavour.

“Make it a blonde” says the witty Wakefield man to our Landlord, just to annoy his wife. I attempt to snigger but fail.

A predictably perfect pint of Plum in a Pride glass (NBSS 4) turns up and I reckon Wilsons is wonderful, particularly when the Barnsley boys declare themselves “Dedicated Methodists” and “Dedicated drunks” for no reason.

Music from Frankie Miller (“Darlin“) and similar modern classics, and a touching encounter (at 2m distance) with an Old Boy in the Gents;

“Fifty of us come here every year” he says. “This year it’s FIFTEEN. Damn Covid“

I trust that’s not the attrition rate, more the gentlefolk’s residual concern about leaving home, and to be honest Scarborough feels plenty busy enough for an October Sunday, even without Boycott and Tetley.

But my last stop would make Scarborough look like Andover on a Sunday night.

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

8 thoughts on “SCARBOROUGH FAIR”

  1. Interesting comment on the “architectural merit”. I found the town great, but it was all wonderful ambiance. I just remember looking over North Bay at dusk and remember it vividly.

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    1. I was thinking mainly about the main town, the walk from the station down the High Street is a bit dull, but it’s the perspectives that make it all work. The walk up the castle is a highlight.

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  2. “I was glad that Wilson’s, renamed for the star of Tom Hanks’ Castaway, ”

    I thought you were kidding, but you can just about see it on Google Maps.
    (it’s down a side street with no Street View)

    “but it’s all about the bay, isn’t it ?”

    Yup. Think of every Caribbean resort. What do they show? The beach! 🙂

    “Don’t the Yorkies do good pubs ?”

    Looks a cracker.

    “it’s the only time in my life I’ve been escorted up the stairs with the promise of a pint of Plum Porter to follow.”

    Surely your wedding night was similar? 😉

    “I attempt to snigger but fail.”

    Tsk, tsk. 🙂

    “particularly when the Barnsley boys declare themselves “Dedicated Methodists” and “Dedicated drunks” for no reason.”

    I always thought the two went hand-in-hand.

    ““This year it’s FIFTEEN. Damn Covid“”

    Good heavens! Did 35 of them succumb to the dread disease?

    “I trust that’s not the attrition rate, more the gentlefolk’s residual concern about leaving home”

    Phew! For a second I thought they’d have to lockdown Yorkshire!

    “But my last stop would make Scarborough look like Andover on a Sunday night.”

    No idea what that means; but I’m sure I’ll find out. 😉

    Cheers

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      2. “Their whippets aren’t allowed to hold “flat cap and tripe” parties unless it’s in a bubble.”

        Still trying to figure that out. Luckily (?) we have no one close (alas) but… that being said, my wife’s family could play merry hell with that. She’s one of 12; her Mom was one of 18; and the Mom of one of her closest cousins was one of 22!

        Try shoving that lot in a bubble! 🙂

        Cheers

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  3. Rugby league fans in Barnsley are a rare phenomenon -definately a football part of the world ! Scarborough on a weekend is usually full of Tykes from landlocked towns aka L**ds

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