22nd October 2022. I stopped for the night in Cullompton (pop. 7,439). Someone has to. They don’t exactly illuminate the GBG, but the market towns off the M5 between Bristol and Exeter have some real pub gems, and more importantly cheap B&Bs and places you can leave your campervan overnight and wake up to it… Continue reading LOOK WHAT I’VE FOUND IN CULLOMPTON !
Tag: Devon
DEVON KNOWS I’M NOT MISERABLE NOW (I’VE FINISHED THEIR GBG CHAPTER)
I always like to finish a Good Beer Guide chapter, with a pint of something brown, bitter and boring in an Old Man’s backstreet boozer. But you can’t always finish with Doom Bar in Wetherspoons, and Devon fell in a modernish brewery tap-cum-burger bar on the road out of Exeter (hard to find, tucked away… Continue reading DEVON KNOWS I’M NOT MISERABLE NOW (I’VE FINISHED THEIR GBG CHAPTER)
ASHPRINGTON REMEMBERS 1999 – THE YEAR STANDISH HAD 11 GBG ENTRIES
Nearly missed one, having made a draft past nearly three (3) months ago. Ashprington’s Durant Arms is your archetypal remote destination Devonian dining pub. The guys in the BMW rather spoilt my shot but prove how posh it was. I know some of you assume I think any pub without blokes in Hi-Vis drinking Carling… Continue reading ASHPRINGTON REMEMBERS 1999 – THE YEAR STANDISH HAD 11 GBG ENTRIES
“No, you CAN’T just come in & use the loo !”
Reader “Dave” asks what places I’m looking forward to revisiting in the UK, without the pressure of completing the Guide. Well, North Devon for a start, and a first trip to Lundy Island, whose pub might even make the GBG (says Ed). The end of July saw a return to Ilfracombe for an elusive tick… Continue reading “No, you CAN’T just come in & use the loo !”
LIKE WHITE LIGHTNING, WINKLEIGH IS LICKED
Some time this week, the 2023 GBG will “drop” (ugh) on the doorstep of the Privilege Club members and for tickers this will signify a period of mourning as they realise their 98%/52% completion is now 89%/49% (sorry Si). Will I care ? Ask me when the good book arrives, and I see new names… Continue reading LIKE WHITE LIGHTNING, WINKLEIGH IS LICKED
PLANT POTS AND TRACTORS
Blimey, those North Devon pubs are remote. If BRAPA walks from Eggesford station to the Lymington Arms he should fortify himself with the breakfast at the Crossing Cafe. Technically in Wembworthy, but really in Lama Cross (a garage and a pub), in the middle of nowhere, the Lymington was deadly quiet when I arrived, bar… Continue reading PLANT POTS AND TRACTORS
MUCH TO CHERISH IN CHERITON FITZPAINE
I always knew Devon would be the toughest English county to complete. I was tempted to skip a few pubs on the Devonian slog, but I realise some of you love pics of lil ol’ England and it gives me even more places to add to the Blog Map. A string of tiny village pubs… Continue reading MUCH TO CHERISH IN CHERITON FITZPAINE
LOOKING FOR SIR WALTER
The Tickathon moved into East Devon in late July, with ANOTHER trip down to Exmouth. I’ll be awarded citizenship of the place (and Ilminster) at this rate. The Walter Raleigh in Budleigh Salterton, another Devonian place name I just made up, had tormented me for 2 years, being determinedly closed when it should be open.… Continue reading LOOKING FOR SIR WALTER
TICKING THE EAST DEVON PUB BOULES LEAGUE GROUNDS
Unless you tick churches, and I suspect their opening times are even more restricted than pubs, then GBG ticking is the best way to force you to visit those parts of the UK that only us completists will ever know. Like Musbury (pop. 543), on the edge of the Axe Valley. Which reminds me; I’ve… Continue reading TICKING THE EAST DEVON PUB BOULES LEAGUE GROUNDS
A HONITON HOLT
Important domestic news before we head back to July. Our sloping garden has nearly been unsloped and we will soon have actual grass. Not sure what we do with it, but hey-ho. In mid-July a rejuvenated Retired Martin was tackling another of the tricky Devon ticks, the Holt offering limited hours, and feeling very much… Continue reading A HONITON HOLT
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