A FAILED SEARCH FOR MICE IN HOWDEN MINSTER

March 2025. Howden.

If this blog has one objective, bar acting as a diary of my travels so I can prove I wasn’t at the scene of that murder on 7th October 2018, it’s to promote the lesser-known gems of the UK. Like Wem, and Stafford, and London.

I’d driven through Howden just enough times to get a sense of the street layout, but having a whole Friday afternoon to explore the cobbled streets and Georgian architecture at eye level is a different prospect entirely.

It’s gorgeous, but tiny (pop.4,182, less than Waterbeach), like Beverley in miniature without the hipsters and artisan cheese. Oh sorry, that’s Ely.

All rather quiet, though the cafes are packed. Typically, my actual new GBG entry doesn’t open till 5. Can you waste 3 hours in Howden?

Well, you’ll need to factor in an hour at the Minster, or what’s left of it after centuries of neglect. They needed an ecclesiastical version of CAMRA back then to protect unnecessarily large churches.

What’s left (the nave, whatever that is) is mighty impressive,

though impressively dark, which suits the stained glass,

and the modern art,

but sadly not our ability to find “literally dozens” of mice.

Oh, they’re there.

Enough of rodent searches, time for rauchbier supping.

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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 “A FAILED SEARCH FOR MICE IN HOWDEN MINSTER”

    1. Quite possibly malnutrition. It’s likely both mother and child would have died soon, after holding that pose for the sculptor for several days on end

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  2. I had no idea Howden was so nice ( although I must admit I’ve never spent more than a few seconds thinking about it ) There must be quite a few lovely Georgian towns in East Yorkshire/ Humberside- I’d love to explore sometime but it’s unlikely to happen for a while-my husband has a penchant for going abroad at the moment. Pauline

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    1. Tell him about climate change, Pauline. A collective “penchant for going abroad” needs to be replaced by trips by bus to “lovely Georgian towns” in the East Riding, before it’s too late.

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    2. I think get your foreign travel in while you’re young, Pauline. Am hoping for your reports!

      Beverley is the Georgian town everyone heads for, though I continue to adore Hull.

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