August 2025. Atherstone.
Will had given us a superb itinerary for our Alcoholic Adventure in Atherstone, but he’d inexplicably missed out one of the few GBG entries of old.
Oh, I remember why.
The Hat & Beaver is what we call “unimproved“, or unspoilt if you like.
Leaving Will to explore shopfronts, the rest of us headed for a bar displaying the legend “Let’s get drunk and talk **** “.
Folk from Leicester and Marple need no greater invitation, fuelled by pints of Bass and bags of scratchings.
I don’t remember the Bass being any smoother than those scratchings, but it looks pretty good.
My notes say “4 whippets”. I’ve only got pictures of 4 deodorants.
On the way down from the Gents I met Will’s nemesis.
“Ah he’s only being friendly !”.
retiredmartin 
As Marvin, in The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy would have said dolefully “Sounds awful”.
Did the sign on the door actually say that, or was that the interpretation – which many these days seem to share – of “dog friendly pub”?
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Only Will can answer that, but he’s the most honest man I know whose name is Will.
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Thanks for the reference, RM. But “interpretation” was what it was.
I’m quite pleased with that review from my previous visit, and I don’t for one second regret missing out on that dog this time.
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Interpretation of a dog’s poor behaviour usually leads to the conclusion that it’s the owner’s fault for not bringing it up properly. For every dog keen on a good sniff of one’s nether regions there’s probably another expertly trained and a great asset to the Police or Customs working as a sniffer dog.
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That’s what they say on Mumsnet.
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So is that Mumsnet to be recommended ?
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It is a source of great comedic joy.
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I remember “4 whippets” as two behind the Old Swan and two in the Market Tavern but I might have missed some in the Hat and Beaver.
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They’re too quick to count.
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Looks like the kind of pub that is astonishingly basic, but hardly unspoilt. Surprisingly common in smaller British towns.
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Yes, small market towns like Wem, Brigg, Gainsborough have revealed quite a few gems.
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Looks pretty terrible, redeemed only by the presence of dogs and the Bass’n’scratchings combo.
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Bass’n’sniffings, actually.
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I can see how some would think it looks pretty terrible, to be fair !
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As a bit of an introvert that isn’t overly keen on having one’s nether regions sniffed by badly-trained dogs (or badly-raised humans), it was refreshing to see ‘This is not a dog friendly pub’ poster on the door of the Wellington in Brum, and today on Mastodon (similar to Bluesky, but for properly woke folk) I learned from pub man Nic that the Black Lion in Cardigan is now officially dog free, although WhatPub still says they’re allowed in the bar in only.
Mind you, I’m not surprised that dog’s anxious with someone cruely chasing him down the room and filming the torment 😄
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Rhys, but doesn’t “dog free” mean characterless, rather like a “high street barn” ?
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I know many absolutely adore dogs, and consider the barking, the odour and unsolicited jumping/humping as elevating the pub experience, but it’s something I can live without. I’ve not personally had a negative experience of dogs in pubs, but have witnessed a fair bit of late in cafes and on public transport, sadly.
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Same here, Rhys. I can’t personally get worked up about dogs n pubs, but they always seem to go for Mrs RM.
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Yes Rhys, I wouldn’t risk using a café.
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That’s definitely where I’ve been going wrong.
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I do like a pub that’s explicit on its preferences. “Not dog friendly”, “We prefer cash”, “NO tasters of CAMRA discount”.
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Have you turned my comments Welsh, Rhys ?
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If I see an opportunity to give anyone an unsolicited Welsh lesson, then yes (but I think in the comments to a different post to this one, although who knows)
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Who knew that drinking and blogging about unremarkable Midlands pubs would make a good blog? 😀
Top work and I’m doffing my cap to you – only been to one Atherstone pub so this is a great recce!
Life After Football
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Let me know LAF if you’ve a day spare and I’ll join you there.
Do you like dogs ?
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Personally I prefer pubs with cats.
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Me too. I enjoyed BRAPA’s trip to the Bag o’ Nails in Bristol recently.
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Yes it’s a lovely pub. I went there on a CAMRA trip and I seem to remember that the cats sensibly went and hid from us.
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I’d probably hide from you, Jon.
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“Oh, I remember why.”
Blimey! That review was worth a chuckle or two. 🙂
“The Hat & Beaver is what we call “unimproved“, or unspoilt if you like.”
Unsure if that means not shaven at either end, or just the opposite.
“the rest of us headed for a bar displaying the legend “Let’s get drunk and talk **** “.”
I’ll drink to that! 🙂
“and bags of scratchings.
Crikey! Between ‘King Dick’s Hole’, ‘Beaver’ and ‘bags needed scratching’ I think I need a lie down.
“I don’t remember the Bass being any smoother than those scratchings”
Stop it! (LOL)
“I’ve only got pictures of 4 deodorants.”
You sure those two dark blue Nivea ones aren’t shaving cream?
(nudge nudge)
“Ah he’s only being friendly !”
Oof! A bit of a put off that.
Small dogs, like children, should be seen and not heard.
Cheers
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