April 2026. London. Staying overnight in Tunbridge Wells meant an easy rail journey the next morning; half-full Southeastern train to London Bridge, Northern Line to Old Street, 20 minute walk to the Museum of the Home next to Hoxton Station. We’re meeting the lovely Joan and Dave “US Dave” Southworth, who are staying near enough… Continue reading IN SHOREDITCH. I THINK.
Tag: London
It was the Stouty McStoutFace What Did It. The Mad Dog, Royal Tunbridge Wells
April 2026. Royal Tunbridge Wells. “Well, I’m back in Tunbridge Wells again” says Mrs RM as we re-enter the Pantiles, almost getting nostalgic for her childhood home again, much as I might almost get nostalgic for the Sun and Chung Hwa. Almost. Actually, the Pantiles are worryingly quiet on a sunny Tuesday; things will be… Continue reading It was the Stouty McStoutFace What Did It. The Mad Dog, Royal Tunbridge Wells
PEAKS AND PIES AND PINTS
March 2026. Sheffield and the Peak. Last weekend we “hosted” (ugh) Meighan and Dave from Chicago during their whirlwind tour of Europe. I have never seen Mrs RM go into such a cleaning frenzy, which sadly extended to getting me to mow the lawn. What happened to the wild garden craze ? I knew nothing… Continue reading PEAKS AND PIES AND PINTS
THURSDAY IS THE NEW FRIDAY
February 2026. London. From Charlton the train takes you back over the Thames, then stops abruptly at Cannon Street. It’s a quarter to six in the City of London; let’s have a look. Not many suits or bowler hats or folded copies of the Financial Times, but young workers pack the pubs. Plenty of pubs,… Continue reading THURSDAY IS THE NEW FRIDAY
TIRED OF LICHFIELD, TIRED OF LIFE ?
February 2026. Lichfield. Quite a rarity for me to get three new GBG pubs in quick succession these days, on a bus line as well. The number 36 rumbles between Walsall and Lichfield every half hour purely for the benefit of Beer Guide tickers, and Lichfield Council have also provided some parking spaces for campervans… Continue reading TIRED OF LICHFIELD, TIRED OF LIFE ?
TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
December 2025. Sheffield. Ely. King’s Cross. London. You’ll be wondering by now what’s happened to my birthday (22nd December, make a note on your new Retired Martin calendar). That’s coming soon, and rest assured it’s not as bad as last year, but first a long day from Sheffield, to Rye, via long stops in Ely… Continue reading TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
PUB DOGS OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH
November 2025. Hampstead. London. I’m timing my trips down to see Dad to coincide with the nostalgia music afternoons at his care home (Dave from Chatteris, it’s always a Dave, sings Beatles and Neil Diamond) and my rather less nostalgic gigs in London. Last Tuesday saw my Gig of the Year, if not Decade, as… Continue reading PUB DOGS OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH
LINING THEM UP IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE
October 2025. Elephant & Castle. London. You left me on Hungerford Bridge after leaving the Old Shades, admiring the view. The view changes rapidly as you leave the culture of South Bank and the sunset over Waterloo Station to head the mile to Elephant & Castle, a pub graveyard of late. It could only be… Continue reading LINING THEM UP IN ELEPHANT AND CASTLE
THE OLD SHADES, SW1
October 2025. Whitehall. London. While I sat in the Admiralty I scribbled down a few notes, mainly about queuing tourists and naff modern pop, but also “another week another two (2) London pubs two minutes apart“. Should have been 30 seconds to the Old Shades, but something in the space/time dimension where WC2 becomes SW1… Continue reading THE OLD SHADES, SW1
TOURIST PUB, TRAFALGAR SQUARE
October 2025. Trafalgar Square. London. Another year, another paltry handful of GBG newbies in what you’d imagine was a vast chapter of central London pubs. On the other hand, a lack of churn suggests consistent standards year-on-year, surely ? A couple of debutants right by Trafalgar Square within sight of Big Ben, which a generation… Continue reading TOURIST PUB, TRAFALGAR SQUARE
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