April 2025. Otley. Otley felt a lot smaller than I remembered, a modest market town of 13,668 souls dominated by a bus station and courtyard cobbled shopping centre. But it’s certainly well-pubbed, five in the GBG. I thought Savage Crangle was a great name for a pub, recalling that Rorty Crankle up the road in… Continue reading IN PRAISE OF BREW YORK
Tag: West Yorkshire
CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
April 2025. Otley. Thank you to reader Pauline, who knows her Yorkshire, for gently pointing out that the Otley pub crawl is actually in Leeds, and all the pubs on it are student bars called Pop ! and Flares and The Duncan. I thought you’d like to see Pauline’s hubby modelling an early GBG back… Continue reading CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
TOP 100 PUBS – THE OLD COCK, OTLEY
April 2025. Otley. The chap at Curious Hop, my actual new GBG tick, had opened up, shut up again, and left that “Back in 5 mins” sign up while I stood at the door. Would it still say “Back in 5 mins” in 5 mins time ? Would he ever come back ? I should… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE OLD COCK, OTLEY
MISSING THE BUS FROM MENSTON TO OTLEY
April 2025. Menston to Otley. OK, the set-up post for the big trip to Otley, and a question “Why Menston ?“. I’d only decided to take the train to Leeds roughly 45 seconds before it departed Sheffield. I think you’re supposed to buy your ticket earlier, but I like to be sure I’m getting a… Continue reading MISSING THE BUS FROM MENSTON TO OTLEY
ChatGPT recommends Sophie Jamieson. As do I.
January 2025. Leeds. I caught the No. 39 from Meanwood back to central Leeds and suddenly felt a bit woozy, which is a bit lightweight after 3 pints, though, one of them was murk (M = 1.5*C). So, even though the pus deposited me outside BRAPA’s favourite L***s pub*, the completely “reimagined” Stick & Twist,… Continue reading ChatGPT recommends Sophie Jamieson. As do I.
MURKY IN MEANWOOD
January 2025. Meanwood. Leeds. Right, an actual new GBG pub. If I was still attempting to complete the Guide, rather than being a Grand Master (Retd.) it would take me 3,255 years to finish, and I’d almost be into middle-age by then. The Terminus isn’t going to compete for the Old Codger pound when they… Continue reading MURKY IN MEANWOOD
PREEMPTIVE LEEDS – THE BOOT & RALLY, MEANWOOD
January 2025. Meanwood. Leeds. Mrs RM went off in search of “culture” on our afternoon in Leeds, I tool the bus to the pubs of Meanwood. “The bus, RM, you’re going soft !“. Yes, could have walked it in 45 minutes but it was wet, and you get to see Leeds’ northern suburbs from the… Continue reading PREEMPTIVE LEEDS – THE BOOT & RALLY, MEANWOOD
A JAIPUR IN L***S
January 2025. Leeds. After a Wednesday spent driving 6 hours from Tunbridge Wells to Sheffield, battling A14 closures and football crowds, punctuated by long calls to the Medical Examiner and Coroner, we needed a break on the Thursday. Why on earth did we choose Leeds ? Well, it was the first train leaving Sheffield station,… Continue reading A JAIPUR IN L***S
LEEDS BEER SCORES SPECIAL
February 2024. Leeds Pub Crawl. You left me in Whitelock’s, admiring the furnishings, and forcing a second half of Old Peculier on our group. Yes, a real of Gang of Four, at home like a pub tourist as the song goes. Oooh, a pint to finish, excellent work, and great company from Andy and Caroline… Continue reading LEEDS BEER SCORES SPECIAL
GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 8 – WHITELOCK’S, LEEDS
February 2024. Leeds Pub Crawl. Nearly there now. Our gang of four* pub tourists were due to meet up again in the most famous Leeds’s most famous pub, if we could find it after six pints. Bing Maps can’t provide a route to Whitelock’s, tucked away down Turks Head Yard, and Will has asked me,… Continue reading GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 8 – WHITELOCK’S, LEEDS