October 2025. Toddington.
A slightly different route from north to south last week, with an ultra-rare visit to bucolic Bedfordshire.
Toddington (nice village sign) is your gateway to the mysteries of Central Beds, including the birthplace of my Mum and last home of Bob Monkhouse.
And now there’s a modest pub walk from the M1 service station which gives Toddington its fame.
And modest is the word for a village of 4,506 souls, at one point boasting the most pubs per head of population in the country (allegedly).
That would have been in the ’90s, the last time Peking House was painted,
and there’s been a raft of pub closures since then that leave a quaint but quiet high street.
GBG stalwart (first 25 editions) the Sow & Pigs gave way to a micro ran by the charismatic landlord’s son, but sadly the Cuckoo didn’t last till COVID, and the Griffin doesn’t exactly scream “Beer Guide newbie !“.
Not that beer guides do scream, unless they’ve been stuck in Simon’s satchel with Babybel wrappers for a week.
It’s Sunday lunchtime, and the Griffin flaunts its community credentials. Old Boys, techno, bargain grub, psychic readings, young lads on three (3) dartboards, and what can definitely be called a “lived-in” feel.
A Greene King pub but the Nethergate Stout stands out,
a bit rough and sticky but tasty (NBSS 3+), justifying its GBG entry.
A lot of VE flags, too, just like on my last visit to Todd a decade ago, it’s that sort of village, the sort with a parish church called St George of England.
A solid NCSS 3+ for St George as well, where the highlight is another banner.
Sadly, the dragonfly font bowl was not on display that day.
retiredmartin 
I think I prefer the church to the pub. And I’m a lifelong atheist.
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Better toilets.
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“Toddington (nice village sign) is your gateway to the mysteries of Central Beds, including the birthplace of my Mum and last home of Bob Monkhouse.”
My deepest condolences for your mom’s passing. I know too well what that is like.
“And now there’s a modest pub walk from the M1 service station which gives Toddington its fame.”
What is it with all the ‘…ington’ names? Toddington, Paddington, Deddington. The list must be endless!
“and there’s been a raft of pub closures since then that leave a quaint but quiet high street.”
Sadly, that’s been happening all over the UK.
“Not that beer guides do scream, unless they’ve been stuck in Simon’s satchel with Babybel wrappers for a week.”
(slow golf clap)
“and what can definitely be called a “lived-in” feel.”
Crickey!
“A Greene King pub but the Nethergate Stout stands out,”
I still find the term Nethergate a bit… rude.
(not that there’s anything wrong with that!)
“the sort with a parish church called St George of England.”
Pretty sure just ‘St George’ would have imparted the same meaning.
“Sadly, the dragonfly font bowl was not on display that day.”
Nicking from a church! What has society come to.
Cheers
PS – missed Saturday due to obligations with friends, family, siblings, grandkids… the list was endless!
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Thank you, Russ.
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Have put Todd on my pending travel list.
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