February 2025. Chiddingstone. Kent. Another trip down to cheer up the father-in-law, recovering from being poked about in East Grinstead, a terrible place to be poked about. Michael always perks up when we visit, particularly when we head to the pub. We started with culture, us being cultured and all. Chiddingstone village is owned by… Continue reading CHIDDINGSTONE
Author: 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.
“FFS, not the craft bar !”
February 2025. Sheffield. Consternation in CAMRA-land at the imminent closure of Torquay’s Hole in the Wall, pretty much the only pub worth leaving the upcoming Members Weekend. Luckily for Paul Mudge, I have found an alternative “venue” to take him to during the interminable discussions on the definition of real cider or another pointless change… Continue reading “FFS, not the craft bar !”
PORTER BROOK LACINGS SPECIAL
February 2025. Sheffield. Another short, dull, post with no moral or great revelation, other than confirming that Ecclesall Road is worth a detour from your Kelham/Walkley circuit next time you’re in Sheffield. The Porter Brook is one of a surprising number of Greene King food-led pubs round here. See here the Sheffield Hatter pointing out… Continue reading PORTER BROOK LACINGS SPECIAL
ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT – LOXLEY No. 3
February 2025. Sheffield. A Sunday lunchtime in west Sheffield with the Sheffield Hatter, who is keen to promote the merits of Ecclesall Road and Sharrow Vale. It’s a bit like pushing the case for Chorlton or Stirchley; the beer is good quality but the bars might be a bit, er, pokey for some. Sharrow Vale… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT – LOXLEY No. 3
UNSUNG SHEFFIELD – THE LESCAR
February 2025. Sheffield. You’d be surprised how many times visiting #PubMen message me “Anything new and exciting in Sheff, RM ?“, assuming I spend my life going round pubs or something. I’d have said things had quietened down a tad in the UK’s top pub town (sit down, Norwich), but there were four (4) new… Continue reading UNSUNG SHEFFIELD – THE LESCAR
TOP 100 PUBS – STATION BUFFET BAR, STALYBRIDGE
February 2025. Stalybridge. “I don’t think I’d leave the railway station” commented Paul Mudge after my Stalybridge micro post, and while I think there’s space in the UK pub scene for all sorts of boozers, it’s true that many folk don’t wander beyond the Buffet Bar. If they did, they’d immediately find the pubs with… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – STATION BUFFET BAR, STALYBRIDGE
MICROPUB LOO SPECIAL AWARD – OL’S BIER, STALYBRIDGE
February 2025. Stalybridge. Right, here’s that new Stalybridge entry, a third micro within two minutes joining Bridge Beers and Cracking Pint, which was called Crafty Pint before CAMRA banned craft following the incredibly successful “Revitalisation Review”. These charming micros have successfully revitalised Stalybridge, in part, and Ol’s is a friendly all-rounder of a neighbourhood bar-cum-offie… Continue reading MICROPUB LOO SPECIAL AWARD – OL’S BIER, STALYBRIDGE
STALYVEGAS
February 2025. Stalyvegas. The new Good Beer Guide is a joy. Trips to Mansfield, Uxbridge and now Stalybridge for the avid ticker. And folk who want to see how the eastern suburbs of Greater Manchester are looking post-COVID. Some smart central flats above Gladstone’s barber shop-cum-bistro, and some promising street art, almost suggest some modest… Continue reading STALYVEGAS
WATERLOO SUNSET
February 2025. Waterloo. London. A week ago I was finally doing the (delayed) 60th birthday treat Retired Martin deserves, getting to the heart of Hillingdon and Uxbridge. What did you expect from an RM milestone ? Mrs RM and I had our Silver Wedding anniversary in Letchworth Spoons during a police raid. Talking of Mrs… Continue reading WATERLOO SUNSET
THE LAST PUB IN HILLINGDON VILLAGE
February 2025. Hillingdon Village. I don’t get as hung up as some folk about historical counties, boundary lines and the truth, but I have been exercised by the existence, or otherwise, of an actual Hillingdon. Not the Borough, which includes Uxbridge and gives the football club its name, but Hillingdon Village, with pretty cottages, vegan… Continue reading THE LAST PUB IN HILLINGDON VILLAGE
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