Including Brighton, Cambridge, Dorking,
Lewes, Oxford, the Isle of Man, Reading, Birmingham ,Aylesbury
and Shrewsbury.
A full postcode has been provided, for
location lick on
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl OR
TOWN CENTRE
Basketmakers Arms,
Owner- Gale's
Beers-Gale's Festival Mild, GB, HSD, Greene King Abbot
Telephone-01273-689006
Low
beamed Gale's pub, with lots of bric-a-brac around the place. Old photos, old
tobacco tins, brewery mirrors and beer mats all a
John
9/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- Free House
Beers-Fullers
Telephone-01273-327997
A pub which is close to the station, but is up a steep hill. A
pub with different drinking areas. Green seems to be the colour here;
also there's old navy prints and a fair bit of
wood-panelling. Dim lighting and two fireplaces make for a cosy atmosphere.
John
8/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Evening Star,
Owner Dark Star
Beers- Dark Star Bitter, City Porter, Hophead, Natural
Blonde, Crouch Vale Anchor Street Porter, Cuckmere Haven Best Bitter plus real
cider
Telephone-01273-328931
Web site www.eveningstar.co.uk
Great ale house. No TV or any other distractions, people are
just here for the good beer. Been decorated since my last
visit, maybe needs a little more time for that lived-in feel. Ex home
brew pub for Dark Star until they moved to a bigger site. Dark Star beers are
still here, as well as other micro brews. Close to
John
8.5/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Hobgoblin,
Owner- Wychwood
Beers- Shepherd Neame
Spitfire, Ushers Spring Fever, Wychwood Hobgoblin
plus Hoegaarden on draught
Telephone-01273-602519
Standard Hobgoblin pub. Benches, floorboards, and
sport on TV, but has a good lively student atmosphere. This might be because
they offer students 20% off between 14-00 to 20-00 hours. Interesting
beer memorabilia around the pub.
John
7/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Lord Nelson,
Owner- Harveys
Beers- Harveys Mild, Pale
Ale, Best Bitter, Armada
Telephone -01273-695872
Web site www.thelordnelsoninn.co.uk
Great
John
9.5/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- Shepherd Neame
Beers-Shepherd Neame Master
Brew Bitter, Spitfire
Telephone-01273-688276
Rare Shepherd Neame outlet in
John
7.5/10 visit June 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- King and Barnes
Beers-King and Barnes Bitter, Broadwood,
Festive
Telephone-01273-682466
King
and Barnes pub which I have not visited since it was taken over by Hall and
Woodhouse. So I am not sure about the beer quality now. Imaginative décor,
including balloon figures hanging from the ceiling. Modern airly feel to the pub, but a good atmosphere.
John
8/10 visit June 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Greys,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Harveys Sussex Best
Bitter, Ringwood Best Bitter plus Hoegaarden on
draught and Belgian bottled beers
Telephone-01273-680734
Web site www.greyspub.com
Nice
cosy locals' pub in
John
8/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Sir Charles Napier,
Owner- Gale's
Beers- Gale's Buster Bitter, GB, HSD, Greene King
Abbot Plus Budvar in large bottles
Telephone-01273-601413
Locals pub in
John
8/10 visit March 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
KEMPTOWN
Hand in Hand,
Owner- Kemptown
Beers- Kempton
Telephone-01273-699595
Home brew pub, with some good beers and reasonable prices. A
small place with a nice cosy atmosphere. Walls are full of old newspaper
articles and ties hang from the ceiling. Nice pub.
John
8/10 visit June 2001
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner-Free House
Beers- Fullers
Telephone-01273-699248
Traditional pub still with a saloon and public bar. Wood
panelled walls, white ceiling, black beams. TV is on, but the locals are
into their own conversations. The John Smith's is cask not keg, and seems
popular among the locals.
John
6/10 visit March 2003
________________________________________________________________________--
These pubs were done on two visits, in June
and July 2003.
Alma,
Owner- Ridleys
Beers- Ridleys IPA, Rumpus,
Old Bob
Telephone-01223-364965
Ridleys
pub well hi
John
8/10 visit July 2003
________________________________________________________________________--
Bird in Hand,
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, Ru
Telephone-01223-351919
A small pub which has been nicely decorated. White walls, dim
lighting and leather seats all make for a cosy atmosphere. Whilst on a main
road, it is quiet and pleasant on the inside, apart from the strange disco
music in the background!
John
8/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Regatta,
Cottage Southern Bitter, Elgood's Black Dog Mild, Nethergate IPA, Woodforde Wherry Bitter
Telephone-01223-319414
Web site www.colc.co.uk
Small cosy back street pub with a conservatory at the back, which leads
to a beer garden. Rowing theme in the pub, including
oars on the walls and rowing club flags. Overseas bank notes hanging
from bar ceiling. One of two totally non-smoking pubs in
John
8/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Castle Inn,
Owner- Adnams
Beers-Adnams Bitter,
Broadside, Jubilee, Regatta, guest beers Fullers London Pride, Marstons Bitter, Wadworth JCB,
Charles Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01223-353194
Pub just to the north of the city centre, with a nice cosy feel to it. Recently refurbished, with white walls, bare floorboards, plants
and rowing oars. But still with a traditional
atmosphere. Adnams pub with a good choice of guest beers, as well as their own beers.
Good pint of Broadside here. Nice courtyard at the back.
John
9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Champion of the
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, St Austell Tribute
Telephone-01223-352043
A city centre pub with a nice cosy feel to it. Wood
panelled walls, alcoves, dim lighting and low ceiling make for an almost rural
atmosphere. Rowing theme throughout the pub, including oars
and photos of
John
8.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Eagle,
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, Moreland Old
Speckled Hen, Ru
Telephone-01223-505020
Famous city centre pub. It's a pub of many rooms but
you have to visit the back bar, with its graffiti on the ceiling from World War
Two air crews. How it was done is explained, on the wall, as well as photos of
air crews and aircraft from the era. Cosy atmosphere inside,
also a nice courtyard for the summer.
John
9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Elm Tree,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Everards Tiger, Charles Wells Bombardier, Eagle IPA plus Budvar In bottles
Telephone-01223-363005
Web site www.theelmtreepub.co.uk
Back street local, with a homely touch to it. It almost feels
like being in someone's front room! Wall to wall carpet, green décor, old
prints on the wall, flashing lights above the bar and a fish tank-it makes you
wonder if 'Changing Rooms' has been here! Traditional to the
point of having no food.
John
7.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Fort St George In England,
Midsummer Common, Cambridge. CB4 1HA
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, St Austell Tribute,
Charles Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01223-354327
Web site www.fortstgeorge.com
How can
you go wrong with the location of this pub? On one side is a common,
on the other is a river. A pub with many drinking areas, the
oldest being to the left of the main entrance, with beams and a white tiled
floor. Lots of bric-a-brac around the pub including
rowing oars, old radios and empty bottles. Can get a
little crowded in the summer.
John
9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Free Press, 7 Prospect Row, Cambridge. CB1 1DU
Owner-Greene King
Beers- Greene King XX Mild, IPA, St Austell Tribute
Telephone 01223-368337
John
8/10 visit June 2003
________________________________________________________________________--
Grapes, 19 Histon
Road, Cambridge. CB4 3JB
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, Morelands
Old Speckled Hen, St Austell Tribute, Charles Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01223-506038
Entrance
is around the back in this pub. Bigger than it looks form the outside. Inside
is a low white ceiling, red carpets, prints and plates on the walls. A little
quiet at the time of visit, but a pleasant atmosphere none the less. Closes mid-afternoon.
John
7.5/10 visit July 2003
________________________________________________________________________
Kingston Arms, 33 Kingston Street, Cambridge CB1 2NU
Owner- Lidstones
Beers- Hop Back Entire Stout, Lidstones
Session Bitter, Suffolk Draught, Rawalpindi IPA, TimothyTaylor
Landlord
Telephone-01223-319414
Web site www.kingston-arms.co.uk
This is
the only pub owned by the Lidstones brewery from
John
8/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Live and Let Live, 40 Mawson
Road, Cambridge.CB1 2EA
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Bitter,
B&T Edwin Taylor Stout, Burton Bridge Festival Ale, Dent Rambrau, Everards Tiger, Buffys Hopleaf, Nethergate Umbel Ale, Tring Fi
Telephone-01223-460261
Lovely back street pub near to the railway station. Lots
of wood, as well as low beams, prints and photos of cricket and brewery
memorabilia. Beer mats and beer clips hanging from the bar. A great
range of beer from micro breweries, as well as Belgian bottled beers and Scotch
malt whiskys ( see list on
bar for last two ) . Closes mid-afternoon. Great place.
John
9/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Regal, 38 St Andrews Street, Cambridge.CB2 3AR
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Badger Tanglefoot,
Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, Hop Back Summer Lightning, Ridleys
Rumpus plus Kozel Czech lager in bottles
Telephone-01223-366459
Large Wetherspoons pub in an ex- cinema. Supposed to be one
of the largest pubs in the country! Usual Wetherspoons
décor with some art décor design . Standard things you
usually find in Wetherspoons, like non-smoking areas
and reasonably priced food and beer. As it's so big you stand a good chance of
getting a seat.
John
7.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Salisbury, 76 Tension Road,
Cambridge. CB1 2DW
Owner- Charles Wells
Beers- Adnams Broadside,
Badger Tanglefoot, Everards
Tiger, Morlands Old Speckled Hen, Charles Wells Eagle
IPA, Bombardier, Summer Solstice
Telephone-01223-576363
Large back street local, near to the railway station. Long
narrow pub, with a room around the back. Lots of wood
panelling around the pub, with old Camra beer
festivals' posters and photos of old brewery workers on the walls. Bike
hanging from ceiling a
John
8.5/10 visit June 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
St Radegund,
129 King Street, Cambridge. CB1 1LD
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers London Pride, Milton Habit, Shepherd Neame, Spitfire plus Pilsner Urquell
Czech lager on draught
Telephone-01223-311794
Web site www.radegund.org.uk
Atmospheric
cosy city centre pub with a wonderful ceiling, with smoked etchings of college
names! Nice old prints and photos all around the pub, mainly with a rowing or
rugby theme. Seem to remember more beers on handpump
on my last visit, but the beer quality was good. Nice place, good atmosphere.
John
9.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Zebra, 80 Maids Causeway,
Cambridge. CB5 8DD
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA, Suffolk Summer, Moreland Old
Speckled Hen, Ru
Telephone-01223-512400
Roadside pub, just outside of the city centre. Light green walls,
wood panelled bar and mirrors all round the pub-which makes it look larger. Dim
lighting a
John
8/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
DORKING
Dorking is within easy
reach from London Victoria or Waterloo stations, 50 minutes from Waterloo at
the weekend. The centre of
the town is a fair way from the railway station, it's
easily to take a taxi to the first pub. Once at the first pub the rest follow
in the order below. The town has pubs owned by four independent breweries, as
well some good free houses. As well as three pubs in West Street, every other
shop in West Street seems to be an antique shop. so if
beer and antiques are your thing this is the place to be.
Star Inn, West Street, Dorking,
Surrey. RH4 1BU
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA, Moreland Old Speckled Hen.
A small
pub with Greene King etched glass windows. Not too many seats, but there is
seating outside for a summers day. No Greene King abbot
Ale, but the Old Speckled Hen was good. This pub is a little more yuppie in
style than the rest of the pubs visited in Dorking, but is a pleasant pub.
John
8/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Old House at Home, West Street,
Dorking, Surrey. RH4 1BY
Owner- Young's
Beers- Young's Bitter, Special, Waggledance
Golden Zest.
Young's
pub which is nicely done out and like the Kings Arms it's a genuine old pub.
Low black and white beams, red walls and floorboards all a
John8.5/10
visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Kings Arms, West Street, Dorking,
Surrey. RH4 1BU
Fullers London Pride, Greene King IPA, Downton Quadpa, Hop Back Fools
Frontier,
Genuine old pub on West Street to go with the antique shops. Done
out in mock Tudor style with low beans, red seats and carpet. Lots of different drinking areas in the pub. Beer garden at the back. Guest beer was very average, might have just been an average guest beer.
John
8/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Bull's Head, South Street, Dorking, Surrey. RH4 2DY
Owner Gale's
Beers- Gale's Buster Bitter, Best Bitter, HSB,
Seafarers Ale
Gale's pub with a good range of Gale beers, I never seen Seafarers Ale
before. Small pub with not to many
seats, but a good quiet atmosphere. Unlike the busy road
junction outside. Beer was the best I had today.
John
9/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Spotted Dog, South Street, Dorking, Surrey.RH4 2HQ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Courage Directors, Fullers London Pride,
Young's Bitter
Low
beamed pub, with low lighting which is bigger than it looks on the outside.
Atmosphere is cosy and quiet. Choice of ales is a little bland, but the beer
was okay. Nice beer garden at the back.
John
7/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Cricketers, South Street,
Dorking, Surrey. RH4 2JU
Owner -Fullers
Beers- Fullers Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London
Pride, ESB,
As
befits the name the barebrick walls of this pub are
fill of cricket memorabilia, including a impressive
mirror on the way into the pub. While there was sport on the TV-what else but
Cricket! it is on a low volume. This is a very laid back place. There a beer garden at the back of the
pub.
John
8.5/10 visit June 2005
________________________________________________________________________-
Queen's Head, South Street,
Dorking, Surrey. RH4 2JS
Owner- Fullers
Beers-Fullers Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB
A Fullers pub which is close to the Cricketers. While the
Cricketers is quite the Queen's Head is a lively sort of pub with two
dartboards and a pool table. Ordinary décor with red carpet and plates all
around the pub.. Some benches
outside for the summer. Beer in good nick.
John
7.5/10 visit June 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
LEWES
A nice town resting in the
Sussex Downs. Home of the excellent Harveys brewery.
Harveys only own 3 of the 20 pubs in the town, but
only 3 pubs ( 2 of them tied houses of other breweries
) do not sell their beers.
Brewers Arms, 91 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex.BN7
1XN
Owner- Free House
Beers- Harveys Sussex Best
Bitter, 1648 Bitter ?, Phoenix Sticky Wicket. Leffe Blonde in
bottles. Bi
Telephone-01273-479475
Web site www.brewersarmslewes.co.uk
A quiet
pub, with white walls, red seating, red carpet and a ceiling fan. There is a
list of bottled beers above the bar. Various photos of Lewes
throughout the years. Average décor, average pub, not
much going for it apart from the beer.
John
7/10 visit July 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Dorset Arms, 22 Mailing Street,
Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2RD
Owner- Harveys
Beers-Harveys Sussex Best
Bitter, Armada, Greene King IPA
Telephone-01273-477110
Web site www.thedorsetlewes.com
Harveys pub close to the
brewery. Two different bar areas; the public bar side is stripped pine and the
saloon bar is white walls, carpet and old paintings. Beer served was just the
right temperature on a hot summer's day. Outside drinking
area.
John
7.5/10 visit July 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Gardeners Arms, 46 Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. BN7 2AN
Owner- Free House
Beers- Archers Golden Bitter,
Telephone-01273-474808
Web site www.gardnersarmslewes.com
Small pub on the high street near the Harveys
brewery shop, which at a guess was once a shop. The décor is just
average, but the choice of micro beers and good atmosphere makes up for this.
As well as the beer, there are two real ciders on with one of them Bi
John
8.5/10 visit July 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
John Harvey Tavarn,
Bear Lane, off Cliffe High Street, Lewes, East
Sussex. BN7 2AN
Owner- Haverys
Beers- Harveys Mild, Sussex
Best Bitter, Armada. Budvar in bottles.
Telephone-01273-486107
Web site www.johnharveytavern.co.uk
New Harveys pub which was opened in
the 1990's. It is an old building, so I wonder what was here before?
The new décor seems to work, giving the pub a comfortable atmosphere. Flagstone floor, low beamed ceiling and wooden tables and chairs.
The beer barrels behind the bar are not used to served
the beer. Has a good lived-in feel for a new pub.
John
9/10 visit July 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Lewes Arms, Mount Place, Lewes,
East Sussex. BN7 1YN
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King XX Mild, IPA,
Abbott Ale, Harveys Sussex Best Bitter.
Telephone-01273-473152
Web site www.lewesarms.org.uk
Lovely traditional pub with lots of different rooms and drinking areas. No food, music, or
mobile phones ( which are banned ). A
pub with a good atmosphere, as well as some friendly locals. Ex Beard
pub which is now run by Greene King. Good to see a mild on draught. Good pint.
John
9/10 visit July 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Snowdrop Inn, 119 South Street, Lewes, Sussex.BN7 2BU
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams
Broadside, Harveys Sussex Best Bitter. Budvar in bottles
Telephone-01273-471018
A pub about a five minute walk from the town centre. Nice
cosy pub with a upstairs seating area. Dryed hops are hanging from the ceiling, as well as a
rowing boat! there is some beer memorabilia in the
non-smoking room. Outside drinking area on both sides of the
pub. Nice place.
John
8/10 visit July 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
White Star, 36 Lansdown Place, Lewes < East Sussex. BN7 2JU
Owner-Free House
Beers- Caledonian Deuchars
IPA, Harveys Sussex Best Bitter, King and Barnes
Sussex Bitter. Hoegaarden on draught.
Telephone-01273-480625
Modern
wood panelled pub, with a flagstone floor and wooden chairs and tables. The pub
has a White Star and Titanic theme throughout the pub. Lively
atmosphere at the time of visit. Pub is close to Lewes railway station;
a good place to finish your pub crawl of Lewes. Good pint.
John
8/10 visit July 2004.
_________________________________________________________________________
OXFORD
Like Cambridge, Oxford has some lovely old
colleges and historic buildings, as well as good pubs. The better pubs in
Oxford are in the city centre. Sadly Oxford family independent brewers Morrells were sold off by some of the family to a
pub-owning chain, eventually finishing up as Greene King pubs in 2002. London independents Fullers with 5 pubs, and Young's with 4 pubs,
join other independents Arkells, Banks's,
Everards and Wadworths to make
drinking more interesting.
The pubs below were done on two visits in
July and August 2003.
CITY CENTRE
Bear Inn, 6 Alfred Street, Oxford. OX1 4EH
Owner- Fullers
Beers-Batemans XXXB, Draught Bass, Hancocks
HB
Telephone-01865-728164
Genuine
old beamed back street pub, with bags of atmosphere and character. Pub claims
it's been here since 1242. In both small rooms there is an impressive
collection of ties, which are everywhere including the ceiling! This is a
Fullers pub, but it only sells guest beers from other breweries. Well-hi
John
9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Chequers, 130A High Street,
Oxford. OX1 4DH
Owner- Free House
Beers-Draught Bass, Hook Norton Old Hookey, Haymaker plus Staropramen
on draught
Telephone-01865-726904
Genuine old pub, down an alleyway off the high street. Long
narrow pub with a wonderful white ceiling and walls. Etched glass
windows, wood panelled walls and a slate floor makes this a pleasant place to
drink in. Even has an 'Lord of the Rings' fruit
machine! Good pint, good bar service.
John
9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Eagle and Child, 49 St Giles,
Oxford. OX1 3LU
Owner- Free House
Beers-Draught Bass, Hancock HB, Hook Norton Old Hookey, Wadworth 6X
Telephone-01865-302925
Long narrow pub, with lots of wood panelling and nice alcoves. At the back of the
pub is a conservatory area, which is non-smoking. Pub dates back to 1650 ( and I am not saying 4.50 PM ) with CS Lewis and Toikein connections. Nice feel of tradition here. Good bar
service.
John
8.5/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Far from the Ma
Owner- Free House
Beers-Oxford Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, guest
beers Hardian and Border Farne
Island, Legion Ale
Telephone- 01865-240900
Web site www.maddingcrowd.co.uk
New pub with some nice ideas, including modern art paintings on the wall
and theatre posters. Green walls, wood panelling and dim lighting
gives this place a good lived-in feel . Two regular
beers, plus interesting guest beers make for good drinking. A
good place for a new pub. Maybe not an aptly named pub on a crowded
Friday or Saturday night!
John
8.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Head of the River, Folly Bridge,
Oxford. OX! 4LB
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Honey Drew, London Pride, ESB
Telephone-01865-721600
Fullers riverside pub in a great location next to Folly
Bridge. Only been a pub since 1977, but has a nice olde-world
feel to it, with beams and bare brick walls. Nice old rowing photos on the
walls. A big outside drinking area by the river, ideal for
the summer. Bungee jumping crane doesn't seem to be working on this
visit!
John
8.5/10 visit July 2003
________________________________________________________________________
Hobgoblin, 108 St Aldates, Oxford. OX4 1BU
Owner- Free House
Beers-Brakspears Special
Bitter, Budborough Famous 5 stout, Butts Jester
Bitter, Wychwood Shires Bitter, Hobgoblin Special
Telephone-01865-250201
A student-designed pub in a student town. A
long narrow pub with brown walls and dim lighting. Interesting prints
and old photos on the wall, and the standard rowing oar. Good collection of
beer mats above the bar.
John
7.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Kings Arms, 40 Holywell Street, Oxford. OX1 3SP
Owner- Young's
Beers-Smiles Bristol IPA, Wadworth
6X, Young's AAA, Bitter, Special Bitter
Telephone-01865-242369
A pub of character. Wood panelled walls
throughout the pub, lots of different drinking areas including a non-smoking
room. Pub is big on food, but it doesn't ruin the pub atmosphere. Very atmospheric at the time of visit.
John
8.5/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Lamb and Flag, 12 St Giles, Oxford. OX1 3JS
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers London Pride, Lamb and Flag Gold, Plamers IPA, Shepherd Neame
Spitfire, Skinners Betty Stogs Bitter, Theakston Old Peculier
Telephone-01865-515787
Wonderful 14th century inn. As you keep going to the back
of the pub, it gets better. Lots of different alcoves and
drinking areas, all making for a cosy pub. Black beams, white walls and
wood panelled walls with old photos all a
John
9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Tom,101 St Aldates, Oxford. OX1 1BT
Owner- Greene King
Beers-Greene King IPA, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Ru
Telephone-01865-243034
Web site www.oxfordinn.co.uk
Long
narrow city centre, with a almost rural atmosphere to
it. Low lighting, red carpet, mirrors and jugs hanging from
the ceiling. On the shelves are full bottles of overseas beers, and some
empty bottles of Morrells ( this
was once a Morrells pub ) Good collection of Morrells beer bottle labels', on one of the beams. Beer garden out the back. Nice pub.
John
9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Royal Blenheim, 13 St Ebbes
Street, Oxford.OX1 1PT
Owner- Everards
Beers- Everards Beacon
Bitter, Tiger
Telephone-01865-726484
A smallish pub off the high street. An Everards pub done out in a wood panelled
style, with a pool table. A well throughout pub, but seems to be lacking
sometime- and I am not sure what. That say it is a
pleasant pub, and is worth a visit.
John
7/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Turf Tavern, 4 Bath Place, off Holywell Street, Oxford. OX1 3SU
Owner- Free House
Beers- Caledonian 80/-,Exmoor
Gold, Flowers Original, Greene King Abbot Ale, JW Lees Scorcher
Telephone-01865-243235
Web site www.theturftavern.co.uk
An
alleyway leads you to a classic pub. Original stoned-wall
building, low beams and alcoves. Still gets too crowded for its own good
sometimes-visit early! Outside drinking area helps in the summer, there are
heaters for the winter. If you don't like this pub, I seriously think you
should give up drinking!
John
10/10 visit July 2003
_______________________________________________________________________
Wharf House, 2 Butterwyke
Place, St Ebbes
Owner- Free House
Beers-Butts Bitter, Hook Norton Bitter, RCH Pitchfork
plus Bitburger and Erdinger
German lager, Black Pearl Stout and Belgian bottled beers
Telephone-01865-246752
Pub which is not easy to find, near the ring road. Basic
décor with a capital 'B'. White walls, wooden tables and chairs and
that's it! Looks like nothing has changed here for the last
40 years. Why do people come here? For the excellent beer! A good pint
of Hook Norton comes from the back room, plus a good range of German lagers and
Belgian bottled beers. You will either love or hate this pub!
John
8/10 visit July 2003
Pub is now closed
_________________________________________________________________________
White Horse, 52 Broad Street,
Oxford. OX1 3BB
Owner- Free House
Beers-Brains SA, Fullers London Pride, Hook Norton
Best Bitter, Ind Coope Burton Ale, Marstons
Pedigree, Timothy Taylor Landlord
Telephone-01865-721860
Web site www.oxfordinn.co.uk
Broad
Street seems to be dominated by Blackwall book shops.
Next to one of them is this classic pub. A small, low-beamed
pub with wood-panelled walls. On the walls are various photos of college
rowing, hockey and rugby teams. Good range of beers, and a good atmosphere in
the pub. If you think you have seen this pub before, it was used the most to
film Inspector Morse-solving his cases over a pint!
John
9/10 visit July 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
NORTH OXFORD
Harcourt Arms, Cranham
Terrace, Jericho, Oxford. Ox2 6DG
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB plus
Budvar in bottles
Telephone-01865-310630
A nice local in the back streets of Jericho. A
small Fullers pub, with a nice relaxing atmosphere. Red ceiling, white
walls, and some well known prints on the walls from Renoir and Picasso all a
John
8/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Bookbinders's,
17-18 Victor Street, Jericho, Oxford. OX2 6BT
Owner- Greene King
Beers- Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale, St Austells Tribute, Charles Well Bombarider
Telephone-01865-553549
Web site www.oldbookbinders.co.uk
The
last time I was here it was just the Bookbiners! The
pub has change a bit-mainly for the better. Low
ceiling with lots of bric-a-brac all around the pub, including lighters above
the loo doors, match boxes, beer mats and a railway line upside down on the
ceiling! Okay so its not genuine, but it does give the
pub character and it seems to work. A back street local with
a different.
John
9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Rose And Crown, 14 North
Parade Avenue, Oxford. OX2 6LX
Owner- Free House
Beers- Adnams Bitter,
Draught Bass, Hook Norton Best Bitter plus Budvar in
large bottles and Leffe Blonde in bottles
Telephone-01865-510551
Web site www.rose-n-crown.com
Wonderful
pub, outside are village like shops, inside this pub is a village like
atmosphere. Two cosy rooms and a corridor makes for a
relaxed feel. Wood panelled walls, dry hops on the low ceiling and a beer
garden at the back. Good selection of malt whiskeys. Seems to
be big on food for a small pub. Cigar vendoring
machine is different.
John
9/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
Victoria, Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford
Owner- Banks's
Beers- Banks's Bitter
Telephone-01865-554047
Pub on
a main road, entrance is on the side. Wolvehampton
brewery Banks's have a few pubs in Oxford, this is
one of them. Different drinking areas including a upstairs
gallery area and a small pool room at the rear. Lots of wood
panelling and prints on the wall. Manic Mondays have special prices with
Banks's bitter at £1.49. At other times its £1.95,
not bad value.
John
7.5/10 visit August 2003
_________________________________________________________________________
ISLE OF MAN
The Isle of Man is located in the Irish
Sea. Whilst part of the UK, the island has its own parliament and laws. The
island is very scenic and must be one of the most under-rated tourist attractions
in the UK. The south of the island is like the West Country, the north of the
island is like Scotland and the Lake District. Outside of the main commercial
town Douglas, everything is like going back in time.
The island is most famous for TT fortnight,
where bikers from all over the UK and the world come to watch and ride on the
course.
Beer Scene
Okells dominated the Isle of Man pub scene; their monopoly
is especially bad in Douglas. They seem to think that there is only one beer
worth selling to the real ale drinking public-Okells
Bitter. While not the most boring beer in the world, it's not the most exciting
either!.
London Pride is my favourite beer but even
I would not like it, if it was the only real ale to be sold in every London
Pub. Everybody likes choice.
Most pubs on the island are owned by Heron
and Brearley, I am not sure if Heron and Brearley own Okells or Okells own Heron and Brearley.
Either way they seen to go hand in hand. There are two
other breweries on the island- Bushys and the Shore
Hotel home brew pub ( see below ).
Isle of Man Breweries
Okells
Beers- Mild ( OG
1034 ), Bitter ( OG 1035 ), seasonal beers.
Took over rival brewery Castletown in 1986, giving it a monoploy
on the island. Closed down
both breweries and moved to a purpose-built site at Kewaigue.
Web site http://www.okells.co.uk/
Bushys
Beers- Ruby Red(
OG 1035 ), Manx Bitter ( OG 1038 ), Piston Brew ( OG 1044 ), Old Bushy Tail (
OG 1044 )
Started has a brew pub (
which is now closed ) in 1986. Now brewing at Mount
Murray. It owns three pubs which serves guest beers, as well as their
own beers, a
Web site http://www.bushys.com/
Shore Hotel
Pub brewery at the Shore
Hotel, Old Laxey.
Beers- Bosun
Bitter ( OG 1038 )
web site www.welcometo/shorehotel
Pubs below were visited in April 2004. Beer
prices were between £1.80 and £1.95 a pint for real ale. This is not a best pub
guide, but reviews of all the pubs we have visited on the island. We didn't
manage to do everywhere in the Isle of Man. There are some recommendations of
pubs in areas we didn't manage to visit at the end of the page.
CASTLETOWN
Nice town, with an attractive castle and
harbour.
Castle Arms, The Quay, Castletown. IM9 1LD
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter, Spring
Ram
Telephone-01624-824673
A pub at the foot of the castle and by the quay. A
front and rear bar plus an upstairs bar and restaurant. Okells Bitter
plus Spring Ram. A locals pub and not bad.
Wooden walls with a nautical theme.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
A pub in a good location with views to the harbour on one side, and
views to the castle on the other. Low ceiling
pub which is done out in a nautical theme, with model ships, sea prints and a
ships wheel. Good atmosphere in this pub. There are a few malt whiskies
at the bar, but they are well hi
John
8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Siding, Victoria Road, Castletown. IM9 1EF
Owner- Free House
Beers- Bo
Telephone-01624-823282
This
free house serves around 8 real ales. Busy and friendly.
Two bars and football screens on the wall. At least
you can get more than Okells here. Live
music on Saturday. The bus stop back to Douglas is nearby.
Stuart
8.5/10 visit April 2004
Must be the best pub for choice of beer on the island with 7 handpumps on the bar, even if some are standard beers. Pub busy at the
time of visit, must be beer drinkers escaping Okells Bitter! Pub is next door to Castledown
steam rail station. Décor is okay, with various football scarves around the
pub, but who cares when you have a choice of beers?
John
8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Union Arms, Arbory Street,
Castletown.IM9 1LH
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-825286
Basic
hotel with 3 bars serving.-.guess what - Okells ! At least there is the mild as well as the bitter. It's a
bit basic and very much a locals' pub. Full of ciggy smoke, stained pine clad walls and a dart board.
Stuart
7/10 visit April 2004
Pub near to Castletown Square, very much a
drinkers' pub. Décor is not basic, with slate walls, wood panelled
walls and red carpet. A pub with not much going for it.
Blinds to stop you looking at the outside world, or is it the other way round?
John
5/10 visit April 2004
________________________________________________________________________-
DOUGLAS
Capital of the Isle of Man. Victorian front
reminds me a little of Eastbourne.
Albert Hotel, 3 Chapel Row, Douglas.IM1 2BJ
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter, Jough Bitter
Telephone-01624-673632
By the
main bus station, note that the buses are reliable and cheap. A lively two-bar pub selling Okells
bitter and Manx Jough (Okells).
A pool room to the right and a lounge to the left. Wooden floors and walls. Handy place for
waiting for buses. PS. An all day rover ticket (bus and railway) are a
bit expensive, so check you journey options at the bus station office first.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Basic
pub by the bus station, you can't miss it! Pub reminds me of a traditional
Northern local with people playing cards, pool or chatting away. Décor not much
to write home around, but does have a lively atmosphere. Not for those who like
their pubs plush.
John
7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Brendan O' Donnell's, 16 Castle Road, Douglas IM1 2EU
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- No real ales. Guinness and Irish Malt Whiskey
Telephone-01624-621566
In the main shopping pedestrianised area. Although a fake
Irish pub it was a break from the bland Okells beer! Draught Guinness and Bush Mills Single malt the best bet. Lively on a Friday night. Sports screens
and a great non-smoking snug.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Yes we
know it’s a fake Irish pub but we are in here for two reasons; one, we ran out
of pubs to do, and, two we are getting fed up with finding only Okells Bitter in every pub in Douglas! Usual décor for a
fake Irish pub; wood panelling and various bric-a-brac to do
with Ireland. Staff didn't know if the Guinness comes from Dublin or
London! Mind you with Park Royal Brewery closing in June 2005, it won't matter
soon. Unlike fake Irish pubs in London, this has Irish people in it!
John
6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Bridge Inn, North Quay, Douglas. IM1 4LQ
Owner-Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-675268
Keep
going up riverside after the Sa
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Harbour
side pub, but the windows do not look out on the harbour! Low beamed pub with
black beams and red carpet. Décor is modern and bland. Pool
table on one side of the pub, TV screen on other. Various
old prints, photos and bike riding memorabilia on the wall.
John
6.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
British Hotel, North Quay, Douglas.IM1 4LB
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-616663
Corner pub by the sea terminal up along the riverside. Large peninsular
bar and raised seating area to the right. Wooden walls and
shelves, full of porcelain artefacts.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Large pub on the North Quay. Pleasant décor with wood
panelled walls, white ceiling and red carpet. Various
bric-a-brac above the bar. Karaoke or live music on a
Thursday night.
John
7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Cat with no Tail, Hailwood
Court, Hailwood Road, Douglas.IM2 7EA
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells
Telephone-01624-616364
At the
back of Douglas town, to the North of the TT start/finish line. A large modern pub with plenty of parking. One large room with a TV and another large room which is a lounge
and eating area. Raised central seating area. Okells on tap.
There is a good selection of food including pizzas but only served from 12.00
to 2.00 and again in the evenings.
Stuart 7.5/10 visit April 2004
This is
a non tourist pub on the edge of Douglas, 2 miles from the centre, mainly
uphill. Modern pub with two bars, one with a pool table and sport screen, the
other is quieter with a food menu. Old photos of hunting on the wall, coloured stained glass ceiling. Good name for a Manx
Pub!
John
6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Cornerhouse, Ridgeway Street, Douglas.IM1 1EW
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-673144
Lively karaoke pub by the bus station. Single
bar with various levels. Serves Okells
bitter. Don't come here for a quiet evening! Various video screens
around the place.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Large pub on a road junction. Traditional
pub with different drinking areas. Tonight is Karaoke night with the
usual set of hit or miss singers! The DJ called last orders early for a joke. ( ha ha ). Lively
atmosphere, okay pub.
John
6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Forester Arms, St George Street, Douglas.IM1 1AJ
Owner-Heron and Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-676509
A Good Beer Guide pub. Basic but
friendly. Rolls and crisps are the only food. Okells bitter and mild on tap.
TV screens for the football. Three bar areas and very much a locals
pub but definitely worth a visit.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
A basic pub which is in the business area. There was no
housing around, but the pub was well packed with locals who were friendly. Away
from the island bar is a lounge area, which is much quieter.
John
7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Old Market Inn, 2 Chapel Row,
Douglas. IM1 2BJ
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-673632
A basic boozer with a front and back room which are both small. A small bar is
sandwiched between them. Loud rock music was playing and the bar man was rather
vacant! The wood panelling was tatty, so were some of the customers, who had
yet to master the English Language as they only reached 'F'. Beer was
equivalent to club prices on the mainland.
Stuart
6/10 visit April 2004.
Small basic town centre pub, with two bars', there's a divide down the mi
John
5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Prospect Hotel, Prospect Hill, Douglas.IM1 1ET
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter, Guest
beer?
Telephone-01624-616773
Quite a posh pub for the island. Okells plus a guest beer.
The gents are quite interesting, with fancy work arches over the wash basins.
At the rear is a nice raised seating area. The front and side bars are large.
Food only served from 12.00 to 2.00.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
Plush pub in the business district. Impressive
décor, with some nice touches, including wood carved ceiling and old prints.
Good atmosphere, but not easy to get to the bar through the suits. Pub said it
did a guest beer outside, but there was none on the bar. Despite what I said
about the décor, the pub is getting re-decorated next week! Wonder what they
are going to do with it?
John
8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Quarter Bridge Hotel, Quarter Bridge Roundabout,
Douglas.IM1 1HB
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-671008
The TT
course turns a sharp right here and heads for Peel. A large
corner pub on a roundabout and river. One large
smoking bar and one smaller non-smoking room. A
favourite during TT. We asked the barmaid if the Guinness came from Park
Royal or Dublin. She said it came from a brewery !?!
How well she knows her product!
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
Pub on Quarter Bridge roundabout, a famous TT course landmark. The right hand bar
is non-smoking, the left hand side is smoky and full
of locals. Standard décor with white ceiling and red carpet.
The pool room area has some interesting TT photos.
John
7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Queens Hotel, Queens Promenade,
Douglas. IM1 4NR
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-674438
Head south from the terminus; along the promenade. This old hotel
overlooks the bay. Food is served lunch time and evenings. Wood panelling and a
nice hotel bar. Old seaside prints adorn the walls.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Pub across the road from the promenade. One
bar pub with two different drinking areas. Both are well decorated and have
a pleasant atmosphere. Impressive wood panelled walls and wooden bar. Old prints on the wall. Evening meals from
18.30.
John
8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Railway, North Quay, Bank Circus,
Douglas. IM1 5AB
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-673157
Yuppie pub by bridge road. Served the
worst pint in Douglas and the most expensive. Over £2.00 pint for
sulphurous smelling beer ! Hence the
popularity of alco-pops here. Stainless steel bar, wood floors and modern furniture. Must try harder.
Stuart
4/10 visit April 2004
Modern
style bar with lots of sofas , very bright colours and
paintings on the wall. Views out to the harbour, if you get the right seat!
Expensive beer for the island ( £2.10 a pint), but not
if you come from London! The beer was easily the worse we had on our trip. Highest prices, worst beer.
John
3/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Rovers Return, 11 Church Street, Douglas. IM1 2AG
Owner- Bushys
Beers-Archers Chocolate, Bushys
Ruby Red, Manx Bitter. Budvar on draught.
Telephone-01624-676459
One of the small brewers, Bushys, three pubs
on the Island. Many different rooms to try
including a snug. More upmarket than the Old Market Inn!. This pub gets the best reviews in the few guides to Manx
pubs. Wooden floors, orange walls. Food available at northern
prices.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
One of three Bushys pubs on the island. Well throughout out
pub with lots of different rooms and alcoves, including one for Blackburn
Rovers and one for fire engines. Low lighting, wooden floorboards and orange
walls a
John 8.5/10
visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Sa
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-673161
Up the road from the British. A small
exterior which looks a bit rough. Friendly enough
inside. Tribute is paid to Joey Dunlop, the great TT racer, who sadly
died in an accident whilst riding abroad in 2000. He won many TT races and is
missed. The bar has two bars serving Okells and a
guest beer.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
Small
low beamed pub with lots of wood around the pub. The pub has a locals' feel to
it, if a little basic. Lively atmosphere at the time of
visit. The pub has photos of TT Rider Joey Dunlop.
John 7/10
visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Terminus Tavern, Strathallan
Cres, Douglas.IM1 4NR
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-01624-616254
By the electric railway terminus in Douglas. Seating
outside overlooking Douglas bay. Inside quite comfy.
Beers were Okells bitter and mild. Photos
of old Douglas inside. Particularly the Summerlands
complex which had a massive fire in the 1970's in which many people died.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
Pub at the start of the Manx Electric Railway. Nice views of the
harbour from the benches outside. Nice décor inside this traditional pub with a
comfortable atmosphere. Plush seats, red wallpaper, white ceiling and old
photos of Douglas Promenade.
John
8/10 visit April 2004
_______________________________________________________________________
- Waterloo Hotel, 77 Strand Street, Douglas.IM1 2ER
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-670468
On the
main pedestrianised road and busy on a Friday night. Okells bitter. One bar pub with a pool
room at the back. One overworked barmaid! TV screens showing Gardeners World ?
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Pub in the main shopping street in Douglas. Visited
on a Friday night, which made for a lively atmosphere. Low green
ceiling, slate floor, loud music and TV screens all around the pub. The pub is
more peaceful during the day
John
6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
LAXEY
Laxey is at the top of the hill, with a water wheel and the
electric tram station to the top of Snaefell, the
highest point on the island.
Queens Hotel, New Inn, Laxey. IM4 7BP
Owner- Free House
Beers-Bushys Ruby Red, Manx
Bitter, Castletown Bitter, Fullers London Pride,
Greene King IPA
Telephone-01624-861196
On the
main road from Douglas to Ramsey; full of motorcycle photos, particularly Joey
Dunlop. 5 real ales including London Pride. Busy on a
Sunday afternoon, with British superbikes on TV. A very
atmospheric pub. Met a great biker who wanted a photo of me on his
Kawasaki! The landlord was really friendly as well.
Stuart
9/10 visit April 2004
Excellent bike-friendly pub. Interesting
real photos of the pub in TT forthnight, including
Joey Dunlop, even for people who are not into bikes. Lively
atmosphere with motorbike riding on TV. Good choice of well-kept beers.
Why is London Pride only £1.95 here and not in London? Beer mats and clips
above the bar. Friendly landlord, staff, and locals made for a memorable visit.
Favourite pub on the island during our visit.
John
9.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
OLD LAXEY
At the bottom of the hill,
with a harbour and beach.
Shore Hotel, Old Laxey Hill, Old Laxey. IM4 7DA
Owner- Free House
Beers-Bosuns Bitter ( home brew )
Telephone-01624-861509
A brew
pub, which is rare for the Isle of
Stuart
8.5/10 visit April 2004
Home brew pub close to the harbour in Old Laxey. Only one beer, but
it was nice. Pub is done out in a nautical theme with various things to do with
seafaring. Low lighting and cosy atmosphere make for a good pub. Front door is
closed: use the one on the side.
John
8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
PORT ERIN
Lovely place with a great
beach and cliff views.
Bay Hotel, Shore Road, Port Erin.IM9 6 HL
Owner- Bushys
Beers- Busheys Manx Bitter,
Ruby Red, Old Bushy Tail, Archers Bouncing Bunnies, Combine. Budvar on
draught.
Telephone-01624-832084
Down by the beach at its south end, with a nice view over the sea. A
more basic hotel bar selling 3 real ales. Wooden
floors and yellow walls. Pump clips around the ceiling. Two bars, one
with a dart board.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
A Bushys pub on the sea front, with a nice
Victorian exterior. Inside the décor reminds a little of a Cornish
surfers' pub. Bare floorboards, lots of mirrors and various beer memorabilia
around including beer pump clips on the ceiling. Light and airy with a summer
feel to it. Good pub.
John
9/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Falcons Nest, Station Road, Port Erin. IM9 6AF
Owner- Free House
Beers-Bushys Manx Bitter, Okells Bitter. Guest beers Fullers London Pride, Jennings
Bitter
Telephone-01624-834077
Web site www.falconsnesthotel.co.uk
Get the
no 1 or no 2 bus from
Stuart
9/10 visit April 2004
Excellent pub with a nice traditional décor, good sea views and a choice
of beers. Go into the right side bar as you enter the pub. A
nice cosy relaxed atmosphere, in this well looked-after pub. Ceiling fans, wood
panelled bar, fireplace and mirrors all a
John
9/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
PORT ST MARY
Nice harbour-the walk from Port Erin to the
harbour reminds us of Cornwall.
Bay View Hotel, Shore
Road, Port St Mary. IM9 5AP
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter.
Telephone-01624-832234
From
the station hotel walk into town and down towards the harbour. Two-bar hotel serving Okells. Good
views over the harbour. The lounge has a TV and loads of rugby and football
programmes. The public bar is busier.
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
If you
are on the lounge side the pub lives up to its name, with views out to the
harbour and bay. No beer pumps on our side, so you have to ask what they have
got, and you can guess what it's going to be! Good collection of football and
rugby programmes around the pub.
John
7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Station Hotel, Station Road, Port
St Mary. IM9 5LF
Owner-Heron & Brearley
Beers- Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-832236
Right beside the railway station in Port St Mary. Sells
the ubiquitous Okells Bitter. The side bar has
a TV screen and pool table. A mixture of styles inside.
Port St Mary makes a good walk from Port Erin. The landscape reminds me of
Cornwall.
Stuart
7/10 visit April 2004
Pub which is next to Port St Mary steam railway station, but just outside
the town. Says it's a free house, but the pub is just selling Okells Bitter. Pub looks like it's been refurbished
recently. Décor is not unpleasant, but a little bland.
John
7/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
RAMSEY
A town with a pier,
harbour and beach. Take the Manx electric railway from Douglas ( 75 minutes one way ) to get here, for the great cliff top
views.
Ellan Vannin, West Quay/ Market
Square, Ramsey. IM8 1JU
Owner- Bushys
Beers- Bushys
Manx Bitter, Castletown Bitter, Harts Golden Best. Budvar and a few Belgian beers in bottles.
Telephone-01624-812131
This Bushys house serves 3 real ales. It's down by the harbour. Single bar with two sections. Wooden
floor. Its been modernised recently inside, so
the character is a bit missing. Otherwise a decent pub.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
Bushys
pub overlooking the harbour. Décor is modern and airy with
a lot of bar stools and tables, also some strange blue wallpaper! Pub has a bit
of a Irish theme but it's not over-done! Good to see a
few Belgian bottled beers. Ellan Vannin
is Manx for the Isle of Man.
John
8/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Mitre Hotel, Parliament Street, Ramsey.IM8 1AP
Owner- Heron & Brearley
Beers-Okells Mild, Bitter,
IPA
Telephone-01624-813257
Serves 4 real ales including Okells IPA. Situated
right by the harbour near the Trafalgar. Really friendly service; serves
a great Sunday lunch. It has a panoramic view of the harbour from the long bar
windows. TV showing F1 and a raised non-smoking area.
We could not understand why the other Okells pubs did
not serve the IPA, which was really good!
Stuart
9/10 visit April 2004
While
the entrance is in Parliament Street the bar backs on to the quay one floor up,
so you are rewarded with nice views of the harbour. Light green décor is
different from most pubs. The pub makes the most of the views by having seating
all along the windows. Nice paintings on the walls. Good to see a pub offering
an Okells beer which is not Okells
bitter! The IPA was good so why is it not sold more often? Friendly
bar service.
John
8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Swan Hotel, Parliament Square,
Ramsey. IM8 2LN
Owner- Heron & Brealey
Beers-Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-814236
On the TT course at the square, a mile before the famous Ramsey hairpin. A tight 2nd gear
left hander which marks the start of the mountain course. Bikes park opposite
the pub. The pub serves 2 Okells beers - mild and
bitter. A public bar with TV screen and a lounge with a view of the bikes in
the square
Stuart
7.5/10 visit April 2004
Modern pub in the centre of Ramsay. Low white ceiling,
white wallpaper and red carpet. Windows look out on the TT course. Lounge was
quiet at the time of visit, not much happening here.
John
6/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Trafalgar, West Quay, Ramsey. IM8 1DW
Owner- Free House
Beers-Cains Mild, Bitter,
Crouch Vale Brewers Gold, Okells Bitter
Telephone-01624-814601
Get the
lovely electric railway from Douglas to Ramsey and see great views on the way
via Laxey. A free house at West
Quay. Serves 4 real ales. Comfy
interior green walls and carpet. A variety of pictures adorn the walls
including motorcycling, Ramsey town and sailing. Busy on a
Sunday lunch time. There is a single bar.
Stuart
8.5/10 visit April 2004
Friendly quayside pub. Low
ceiling, low lighting, white ceiling, green walls, and relaxing atmosphere.
Interesting photos with no real theme, including bikes and the Berlin wall! Camra pub of
year for 2004.
John
8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
SULBY
Village on the A3. On the TT course.
Sulby Glen Hotel, Main Road, Sulby. IM7 2HR
Owner- Free House
Beers-Archers Best Bitter, Bushys
Manx Bitter, Okells Bitter. Warsteiner and Ceres Red Erik on
draught.
Telephone-01624-897240.
Nice
old hotel right by the A3 and parking is out the back. A pool
room and bar to the left and two small lounge bars to the right. Photos
of the TT adorn the walls. Wood panelling in some parts.
The hotel has sponsored some bikes in previous years. Bushy
Manx bitter and Okells on tap. This was Camra pub of the year in 1999 and 2000. There is a bistro
serving reasonably priced food.
Stuart
8/10 visit April 2004
Awarding-winning roadside pub on the TT course. Collection
of TT photos and paintings everywhere around the pub. Wood panelled
walls, pool table and various bric-a-brac are some of
the features of this pub. Good choice of real lagers and malt whiskies. I had a
very rare malt from Islay which I have not seen before ( or
tasted! ).
John
8.5/10 visit April 2004
_________________________________________________________________________
Recommended pubs we did not visit;
Crosby Hotel, Peel Road, Crosby. ( on A1 ) IM4 2DQ
White Horse, Tynwald
Road, Peel. IM5 1JP
Waterfall Hotel, Glen Maye.IM5 3AZ
Railway Inn, Main Road, Union
Mills. ( on A1
) IM4 4NE
__________________________________________________________________
READING
A commuter town to the West
of London in the Thames Valley. If you get the right train it's only 30 minutes from Pa
3 B's Bar,
Owner- Free House
Beers-Marstons Pedigree,
Vale Ha
Telephone-0118-9399803
A
bar/café in the old town hall which does manage to combined both. Comfortable
sofas, wooden tables and chairs, low lighting and background music all make for
a comfortable atmosphere. Outside drinking area well used in October. Good to
see 3 of the 4 ales are from local micro Vale. Forthcoming ales are on a
blackboard on the bar. Good place.
John8.5/10
visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Allied Arms, 57 St Mary's Butt, Reading, Berks. RG1
2LG
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers
Telephone- 0118-9590865
Web site www.allied-arms.co.uk
Two bar
pub in the centre of town, with one bar smoking and the other non-smoking.
Small low beamed pub with a nice atmosphere. Flowerpots out
the front of the pub, as well as a beer patio out the back. Good to see
a traditional town centre pub in a town full of chain pubs. Good pub.
John
8.5/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Back of Beyond, 104-108 Kings
Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 3BY
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Marston Pedigree, Burton Bitter, Greene King
Abbot Ale, Courage Directors. Guest beers Wychwood
Dog Bollocks, Oakham Bishop Festival, Phoenix
Arizona, Tornado. International bottled beers.
Telephone-0118-9595906
A Wetherspoons with a difference it's
non-smoking-or is it? The pub has a beer patio which overlooks the Kennet Avon
canal, which isn’t non-smoking. The pub is crowded, but many people are going
out for a smoke? When I visited there were a lot of people waiting to be served
at the bar, whilst the bar staff did a good job there were not enough off them.
John
7.5/10 visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Brewery Tap, 27 Castle Street,
Reading, Berks. RG1 7SB
Owner- Free House
Beers- Fullers London Pride,
Greene King IPA. Hoegaarden and Leffe
Blonde on draught. Budvar in bottles
Telephone-0118-9576280
Large
pub with modern pub with white walls, floorboards and wooden chairs and tables.. A well thought out pub with different drinking areas
including a games room and a gallery lounge. London Irish
rugby shirts on display. Nice pub, shame about the beer, which was the
worst on my travels!
John
6/10 visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Butler,89-91 Chatham Street,
Reading, Berks. RG1 7DS
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Harvest Pale Ale, London Pride, ESB
Telephone-0118-9391635
Around
30 years ago this was one of the few Fullers pubs outside London. Now Fullers
have pubs all over Berkshire. Unchanged over the years, this cosy pub is just
outside the town centre ring road. Good locals feel to the pub, with lots of
wood panelling and old photos on the walls. Good pint.
John 9/10
visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Corn Exchange, Forbury Road,
Reading, Berks RG1 1SB
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Discovery, Harvest Pale Ale, London
Pride, ESB
Telephone-0118-9512340
Fullers pub close to the railway station. Last time I was
here both floors were for drinking, now there is a
Italian restaurant upstairs. Modern décor with a few sofas to
relax on. Good pint and good bar service, even if there is less drinking
space.
John8.5/10
visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Eldon Arms, 19 Eldon Terrace, Reading, Berks. RG1 4DX
Owner-Wadworths
Beers- Pint size Mild, Wadworth
Henry's IPA, 6X
Telephone- 0118-9573857
The
original back-street local! A lot of people are here for a Monday lunch time
who only seem to be here for the food and beer!. Low
beamed pub with two bars, but there's not too much difference between them
apart from the carpet. Small beer patio around the back.
Long serving landlord and landlady offering good service and beer in this Wadworth tied house. Only a
independent family brewer would run a pub like this, a national pub chain would
ruin this pub if they ran it. Traditional opening hours.
John
9.5/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Fisherman's Cottage, 224 Kennetside,
Reading, Berks. RG1 3DW
Owner- Fullers
Beers- Fullers Discovery, London
Pride, ESB. Budvar
in bottles
Telephone-0118- 9571553
Good canalside pub beside a lock on the Kennet Avon canal, with
an outside drinking area. The pub has conservatory style décor with marble
tables. The ice cream freezer and kids menu, means the
pub is very much aimed at children. The pub is about a 15 minute walk from the
town centre.
John
8/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Hobgoblin, 2 Broad Street,
Reading, Berks. RG1 2BH
Owner- Wychwood
Beers- Grand Union Honey Porter, Burton Bridge Mild,
West Berkshire Full Circle, Dr Hexter's we
Telephone-0118-9508119
A small
Hobgoblin town centre pub with a lot of character. Claims to have served over
4,000 real ales; judging by the amount of handpump
beer clips all over the place including the ceiling, I think they might be
right! Good choice of micros beer on draught. Student-type atmosphere including
some interesting graffiti!
John
8.5/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Hop Leaf, 163 Southampton Street, Reading, Berks. RG1
2QZ
Owner- Hop Back
Beers Hop Back Summer Lightning,
Entire Stout, Crop Circle, Best Bitter, GFB, Guest beers Everards
Sunchaser, Tiger Ale. Erdinger German wheat beer on draught.
Telephone-0118-9314700
This
pub is a fair walk from the town centre- about 15 minutes. On
a one way road coming into town. Small cosy low beamed pub with a good
atmosphere. Bar billiards table on the side and a
conservatory area at the back. A Hop Back brewery pub which not only
serves a good pint, but has a better choice of beers than their London pub.
Locals around the bar remind me of a Cornish pub. Reasonable
prices as away from the centre. Opens from 16.00 hours
Monday to Thursdays.
John
9/10 visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Outlook (Hogshead), 76-78 Kings
Road, Reading, Berks. RG1 3BJ
Owner- Free House
Beers- Greene King IPA, Al Fresco, Wadworth
6X.
Telephone-0118-9586549
Modern pub on two floors with views of the Kennet Avon canal. Bare brick walls,
wooden floorboards, beams and low lighting. A little empty at
the time of visit but a pleasant sort of place.
John
7/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Hope Tap, 99-101 Friars Street, Reading,
Berks. RG1 1EP
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Greene King Abbot, Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted, Lo
Telephone-0118-9582266
One of three Wetherspoons pubs in Reading town
centre. Standard Wetherspoons
things including reasonably priced food and drink. Large open
plan pub. Pub had a interesting range of
international bottled beers.
John
visit 7.5/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Monk's Retreat, 163 Friars
Street, Reading, Berks. RG1 1HE
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers-Archers George, Golden, Lo
Telephone-01189507592
Usual Wetherspoons décor, but with a bell ringing monk hanging
from the ceiling! Paintings on the wall have a musician theme. Visited this pub
at 10.50 AM on a Monday, thinking it was open for coffee and expecting a few
people to be in it. Instead we find a pub full of people all drinking beer!
What this says about the people of Reading, I don't know!
John
8/10 visit Sept 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Retreat, 8 St Johns Street,
Reading, Berks. RG1 4EH
Owner- Free House
Beers-Four Mark, Hereford Pale Ale, Ringwood 49er
Ballard Best Bitter, Lo
Telephone-0118-9571593
Web site www.retreatpub.co.uk
A quiet
back-street local about 50 yards away from a busy ring road- so an aptly named
pub. A good choice of real ales from micro breweries, as well as some Belgian
bottled beers. Small pub but it does manage to fit in a dartboard and a pool
table. As well as a pinball machine, which you don't often
see. Opens late afternoon weekdays.
John
8.5/10 visit Oct 2005
_________________________________________________________________________
Sweeney and To
Owner- Free House
Beers-Adnams Bitter, Wadworth 6X,plus guest beer
Telephone- 0118-9586466
Is it a pie shop or a pub? The front of this place
looks like a pie shop, but carry on up the steps and you will find the pub
part. The beer is good and is real ale, but not as good as the home made pies
which are excellent and well worth a try. The pub décor is mock Tudor. An unique place.
John 8.5/10 visit Oct 2005
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Birmingham is the second biggest city in
the UK. The Birmingham beer scene is a lot better than the days when it was
dominated by two breweries: Ansells and Mitchell’s
and Butlers. Most of pub are within the city centre
and there are a few gems. Pubs visited May and July 2007..
Bull, 1 Price
Street, Birmingham, B4 6JU
Owner – Free
House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Oakham JHB
Telephone-0121-
333-6757
At the
time of my visit, half off the pub was being redecorated, but you can see a pub
of great character here. Nice intimate feel to the pub with friendly landlady
and locals. Décor includes Ansells
etched glass windows, water jugs hanging from the bar, cup and plates on the
wall and photos of old Irish authors. Outside sign explains the history
of pubs in the gun quarter. Yards away from a busy road, but in a world of it’s own. Nice pub.
John 8/10
visit July 2007
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Corner House,
29a Newhill Street, Birmingham. B3 3PU
Owner- Greene
King
Beers-‘Green
King IPA, Abbot, Al Fresco, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Enville
White
Telephone-0121-200-2423
Greene King pub that looks like it might have been a bank once.
The outside makes the pub stand out. Rooms off to the side make it a
kind of multi-room pub. Bare floorboards, bar stools and lots
of space. Not too busy with weekend drinkers at the moment. Guest beer
alongside the Greene King range.
John 7/10
visit May 2007
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Old Fox, 54
Hurst Street, Birmingham. B5 4TD
Owner – Free
House
Beers-Everards Tiger, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Theakson Old
Peculiar
Telephone-
0121-622-5080
Pub in the theatre area. Lots of theatre posters up along the walls. Wooden floorboards, white
ceiling and etched glass windows make up the décor. Average pub with good beer,
the barman pours lots of beer through the lines before serving a new barrel;
always a good sign. Calls itself the Old Fox Theatre Bar, which sums up the
audience they are aiming for.
John 7/10
visit May 2007
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Old Joint
Stock, 4 Temple Row, Birmingham, B2 5NY.
Owner- Fullers
Beers-Fullers
Discovery, Chiswick Bitter, London Pride, ESB. Guest beer Thwaites
Bomber
Telephone-0121-
100-1892
John
9/10 visit May 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
.
Old Royal, 53
Church Street, Birmingham. B3 2DP
Owner – Free
House
Beers- Fullers
London Pride, Marstons Pedigree, Timothy Taylor
Landlord
Telephone
–0121-200-3841
City
centre pub with an impressive gothic exterior; inside it tries to be
church-like. The sport screens are split between the cricket and horse racing.
Nice white ceiling and walls plus wood carvings. Three good beers from known
regional breweries are on, but no local beers. Good bar service from Pat, who
has a more mature clientele. The food menu is until 2100 hours and no meal is
over £6.25, not bad for a city centre pub. Enjoyable visit.
John 8/10
visit July 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Prince of
Wales, 84 Cambridge Street, Birmingham.B1 2NP
Owner- Free
House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Grene King
Abbot, Wells Bombardier, Deuchars IPA, Brains Bitter,
Timothy Taylor Landlord, Ansells Mild, Bitter
Telephone-0121-643-9460
A pub behind the National Indoor Arena, plus some block of flats. Walking to it you wonder if
you are going to find a pub, but you do! And what a nice pub.
Looks like it has been recently built. Inside has an olde world look, with lots of wood. Various drinking quotes
are on the walls. Big choice of real ales but mainly from
well-known breweries.
John
7.5/10 visit July 2007
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Sack of
Potatoes, 10 Costa Green, Birmingham. B4 7ER
Owner- Free
House
Beers-Deuchars IPA, Black Sheep Bitter
Telephone-0121-503-5811
Unusual pub on the campus of Aston University which is not easy to find. Look at the campus map. At the time
of my visit it is out of term, so the pub is quiet. Not like a student bar, but
this multi-room pub is a little like a Wetherspoons.
Live Rugby League on the TV at the time of my visit. Reasonably
priced food and beer. Deuchars IPA was £2.25.
Drinking allowed on the outside green.
John 7/10
visit July 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shakespeare, 31
Summer Row, Birmingham. B3 1JJ
Owner- Free
House
Beers- Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylor Landlord, M&B Brew XI
Telephone-0121-214-5081
Small pub close to a road junction. High white ceiling, wood panelling, red
leather seating around the sides plus an interesting old Bass beer mirror shows
this pub has been refurbished recently. Beer garden is around the back and
there is outside seating at the front. Beer range average, I am not sure who
brews the Brew XI now, I thought it was no longer brewed. Not as cosy as the
Bull, but a nice pub.
John 7/10
visit July 2007
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Square Peg,
Temple Court, 115 Corporation Street, Birmingham. B4 6PH
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Marstons pedgree, Burton Bitter,
Greene King Abbott, Springhead Bitter, Enville Ale,
Handy Golden Honey. Various
overseas bottled beers
Telephone-0121-236-6530
Standard Wetherspoon’s pub in the city centre. Busy at the time of visit
but with only 3 bar staff on. Not surprising it took a while to get served! Usual Wetherspons pub with the usual Wetherspoons decor.
While not unfriendly, there seems to be something lacking here.
John
6/10 visit May 2007
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Tap and Spile, Regency Wharf, Gas Street, B1 2JT
Owner-Free
House
Beers- Adnams Broadside, Greene King IPA
Telephone-0121-632-5602
Pub which is by the canal side in the Gas Street regeneration area. There is something about water,
even a canal, which makes people want to build things by them! so you can look out to the water. The pub is on two levels
with views out to the canal on both levels. Nice walk along the towpath, but
how many people fall in late at night?
John
6/10 visit July 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Wellington, 37 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham. B2 5SN
Owner- Free
house
Beers-Ever
changing range of 15 real ales. Bitburger on draught plus
overseas bottled beers
Telephone-
021-200-3115
Web site www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk
The
sign outside the pub says real ale pub; maybe it should say Birmingham’s
premier real ale pub. A choice of 15 beers on handpump
mainly from local micros, so if you are feeling adventurous in your drinking
this is the place to go! There is a
screen and not a blackboard with the beers and wether
they are dark or light. Also as a number for a handpump
if you can’t say the name to the bar staff! Décor is neat and tidy. Tables full
of men with their pint of real ale reading their newspapers. No food but you are welcome to bring your own food in. Open
until midnight.
John
10/10 visit May 2007
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Woodman, 106
Albert Street, Birmingham. B5 5LG
Owner- Free
House
Beers- everards tiger, Moorhouse
Black Cat Mild, plus guest beer
Telephone-0121-643-1959
Multi bar
Victorian pub not far from the city centre, but a little isolated on a fake
green. Décor including white tiled room, red ceiling and wooden carved bar.
Whilst a nice pub, it looks like it needs some TLC and looks a little run-down.
Live music at the weekend. Black Cat Mild was £2.50.
John 6/10
visit May 2006
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
DIGBETH
Digbeth
is within easy walking distance from the city centre. Worth
seeing both traditional Victorian pubs.
Anchor, 308
Bradford Street, Digbeth. B5 6ET
Owner- Free
House
Beers- Various
micro beers on handpump. Plus Belgian bottled beers.
Telephone-0121-622-4516
Like
the White Swan down the road, this is a Victorian multi-room pub. Unlike the
White Swan, the Anchor is a free house with an interesting range of micro
beers. Good to see this pub still unspoilt so close to the city centre. Not so
traditional is the pool table and sport screens, but it is only in certain
rooms and does not ruin the pub. Happy hour is 1530 to 2100 hours Monday to
Wednesdays. The pub also holds beer festivals.
John
9/10 visit May 2007
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
White Swan, 276
Bradford Street, Digbeth. B12 0QT
Owner- Marstons
Beers-Jennings
Cumberland Ale, Cocker Hoop. Banks’s Mild, Bitter
Telephone
–0121-622-2586
Traditional
pub with etched glass windows, wooden carved bar and white tiled ceiling. Wonderful multi-room pub with original Victorian fittings. The pub has sport screens but none of the
regulars seem to be watching. A Banks’s
pub with beers from Jennings, who they took over recently. Banks’s in turn are now known as Marstons.
Confusing!
John 8/10
visit May 2007
______________________________________________________________________________________________
HIGHGATE
Lamp, 257 Barford Street, Highgate, B5 6AN
Owner- free
House
Beers-Bank Top
Trotters Triple, Everards Tiger, Church End
Gravediggers, Stanway Stanney,
Uley Bitter, plus Bitburger
on draught
Telephone-
0121-622-2599
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWTON
Barton Arms,
144 High Street, Newton, B6 4UP
Owner- Oakham
Beers- Oakham JHB, White Dwarf, Bishops Farewell. Guest beers Greenjack Summer Dream,
Titanic Lifeboat, Dark Star Mild. Beer menu of mainly Belgian bottled
beers.
Telephone-0121-333-5988
Web site www.barton-arms.co.uk
This
is the only pub in this guide which is a long way from the city centre. It is
worth the trip to see this wonderful Victorian gin palace with its original
fittings including etched glass windows, white tiles and ceiling, wood carved
door and bar. As befits an excellent pub it has an
great range of beers including some Belgian bottled beers. There are 7 real
ales on, with prices ranging from £2.00 to £2.30. The food is Thai. Pub is at busy road junction and stands out
from the modern housing. Well done to the Oakham
Brewery for doing a good job on the pub.
John
9/10 visit July 2007
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
AYLESBURY
Aylesbury is the county town of
Buckinghamshire. It is under an hour to get here by Train from Marylebone
station. There are a few worthwhile pubs to make this a god pub crawl, but it
needs a few more. Visited April 2007.
Aristocrat, 1 Wendover Road, Aylesbury. HP21 7SZ
Owner- Fullers
Beers- London
Pride
Telephone
–01296- 415366
A Fullers pub just outside the town centre, on a busy road junction. A pub of two
halves. One half is for live music, with a dance floor and no chairs, the other half is smaller with low beams and comfy
if worn-out sofa. Pride is the only real ale, but in good nick.
John
6/10 visit April 2007
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Bricklayers
Arms, 19 Walton terrace, Aylesbury. HP21 7QY
Owner- Free
House
Beers- Adnams Bitter, Fullers London pride, Wadworth
6X
Telephone-01296-
482930
Hobgoblin, 14
Kingsbury Square, Aylesbury. HP20 2HT
Owner- Wychwood
Beers-Arkells 3B, Everards Tiger,
Sharp’s Doombar
Telephone-01296-415100
Town
centre pub. While traditional on the outside, inside it has two pool tables and
a large sport screen. The lighting is low even in the daylight. The pub has a
few alcoves.. Two real ales are in barrels on the bar.
While I like this, today is a warm day and there are no temperature jackets on
the barrels. Whilst not warm, the beer should have been colder and better.
John
6/10 visit April 2007
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hop Pole, 83 Bicester Road, Aylesbury. HP19 9AZ
Owner- Vale
Beers-10 real
ales on handpumps ( 5
from Vale and the rest from micros ). Leffe Blonde and Budvar on
draught plus overseas bottled beers
Telephone-01296-482129
This
Vale Brewery pub is a walk outside the town centre, but a must if you like good
beer. The pub claims to be Aylesbury’s permanent beer festival; a claim it
lives to up. The décor is modern with hops and beer clips around the bar. All
of the 10 beers on the handpumps I have never tryed before. Usually I have had one or two beers, which
shows how adventurous the beer range is; also there are no mainstream lagers. Small outside drinking area at the front of the pub. A great pub to drink great beer in. Well done to Vale
Brewery.
John
10/10 visit April 2007
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Kings Head,
Kings Head Passage, Market Square, Aylesbury.HP20 2QA
Owner- Chiltern
Beers- Chiltern
Ale, Beechwood, 300. Freedom lager and
Irish porter and Oyster Stout.
Telephone-01296-718812
Old National Trust building, with the beer lease given to the Chiltern
Brewery. A nice walk into the cobbled courtyard. While the pub has
low beams and white walls, the décor is modern with wooden floorboards and
sofas. It creates a cosy atmosphere. The whole pub was non-smoking before the
smoking ban on
John 9/10
visit April 2007
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Owner – Free
House
Beers-Greene
King IPA, Hobgoblin Dark Ale, Moreland Old Speckled Hen, Shepherd Neame Spitfire.
Telephone
–01296-415484
Town
centre pub with low beams and different drinking areas, including a non-smoking
area and one area to watch Sky Sports. Strange colouring with white beams and
red walls! While not cosy the pub does have a locals’ feel to it.
John
6/10 visit April 2007
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Admiral
Benbow, 24 Swan Hill,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Greene King IPA, Six Bells 1859, Salopian Darwin Origin,
Telephone- 01743-244423
Another small pub in the town centre which not only has 5 local ales,
but is the place to go for overseas bottled beers from
John 8.5/10 visit March 2009
_____________________________________________________________
:
Armoury,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Worfield Redwood, Wye Valley HPA, Westwood Cheshire Cat, Salopian
Shropshire Gold, Three Tuns
1642 Bitter, Goffs Jousters, Cottage E Type, Thwaites Bitter.
Telephone-01743-340525
Web site- www.armoury-shrewsbury.co.uk
This is an impressive new pub near
John 10/10 visit March 2009
________________________________________________________________________
Coach
and Horses, Swan Hill,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Wye
Valley HPA, Spinning Dog Hereford Bitter, Salopian Shropshire Gold plus real cider.
Telephone-01743-365661]
The bar at the front area leads down to a
lounge/dining area, which makes the pub bigger than it looks from the
outside. It is nicely done out with a
little alcove area at the front with a Bass mirror. Does have
the relaxed atmosphere of the Admiral Benbow down the
road. There are only 3 real ales
on, but all local beers. Spinning Dog was £2.50 a pint.
John 7/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________
Hope
and Friar, 5-6 St Julians Friars,
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Banks’s
Bitter, Jennings Cumberland Ale, Wychwood Paddy’s
Stout.
Telephone-01743-344339
A modern pub which has red carpeting and
light green walls with old photos of
John 7/10 visit March 2009
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Loggerheads,
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Bass, Banks’s
Bitter, Brakspears Oxford Gold, Jennings Sneck Lifter, Wychwood Hobgoblin.
Telephone-01743-355457
What a wonderful pub. This pub has been unchanged for years and well
worth its entry in Camra inventory pub list. Four
different drinking alcoves; the one I sat in had a low beamed ceiling, white
walls, wooden tables and benches, slate floor and a fireplace. Only one of the
alcoves has access to the bar, the other alcoves have a serving hatch, with the
beers on a blackboard. A Banks’s pub with beers from the Marstons
range (see above) plus Bass. Prices are Banks’s bitter for £2.20 a pint and Bass for £2.50 a pint. Banks’s slogan is ‘unspoilt by
progress’ this pub lives up to that! A gem of a pub.
John 10/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________
Nags Head, 22, Wyle Cop,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Deuchars IPA, Greene
King IPA, Courage Directors, Timothy Taylor Landlord.
Telephone-01743-362455
A traditional pub
in the middle of the high street. Nice décor with floorboards, genuine old
ceiling with beams. Nice old paintings and old posters add to the atmosphere.
Friendly relaxed atmosphere as befits the pub.
There are mainly regional mainstream ales on
offer here. Landlord was £2.30 a pint. Nice pub.
John 8/10 visit March 2009
_______________________________________________________________________
Old Post Office,
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Jennings
Telephone- 01743-236019
Web site- www.oldpostofficepub.co.uk
The walk into the pub’s cobbled courtyard is
very picturesque. The pub decor is okay but nothing outstanding. The pub does
some kind of live music most nights. A Marstons
pub which does 2
John 7/10 visit March 2009
_________________________________________________________________________
Salopian Bar,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Old Evertonian,
Stonehouse Station Bitter, Goffs White
Knight, plus Belgian bottled beers
Telephone-01743- 351505
Camra
pub of the year for
John 8/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________
Shrewsbury Hotel,
Owner- Wetherspoons
Beers- Greene King Abbot, Marstons Pedigree. Guest beers Titanic Iron Curtain,
Butlers Revenge
Telephone-01743-340382
Web site- www.jdwetherspoonlodges.co.uk
Well I suppose you might not be considered a
proper town if you do not have a Wetherspoons pub.
The pub also does rooms for £60 a room.
There is the standard Spoons décor but not as large as some in the
chain, with a pleasant atmosphere. There are five beers on including three
guest beers for £1.99. Will this keep prices reasonable in
John 7.5/10 visit March 2009
__________________________________________________________________-
Three Fishes,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Sharps Doombar,
Woods Wonderful, Titanic Stout, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Dark Star Hophead, Oakham Farewall plus real cider.
Telephone-01743-344793
This is a lovely pub down a cobbled street.
The décor is a cross between old and new. The beams get lower as you walk into
the pub. Half the pub is carpeted and the other half is slate floor with
various paintings and old photos on the wall. Pub does 6 real ales; mainly
non-local and non-mainstream ales like Sharps’s from
John 10/10 visit March 2009
________________________________________________________________________________________
Wheatsheaf,
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Banks’s
Bitter, Brakspears Pride of the River, Jennings
Cocker Hoop, Ringwood
Old Trumper, Woods XXX
Telephone-01743-272702
This is a small pub on the High Street. At
the time of my visit (1500 hours Monday) it had a good relaxing atmosphere with
some good banter between the locals. Low beamed pub with red wallpaper and red
curtains and old photos of
John 7/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________________
EAST OF TOWN CENTRE
Anchor
Inn, 137 Frankwell,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Titantic
Iceberg, Shepherd Neame Spitfire. Westons Old Rosie cider.
Telephone 01743-355236
Walk across Welsh bridge and this pub is on your right hand side,
opposite the Severn Theatre. This is a low beamed pub especially by the bar
area! There are old photos of rugby
along one side of the wall and old photos of
John 8/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________
Boat
House, New Street,
Beers- Archers Golden, Salopian Abbey Gates, Three Tuns
1642 Bitter, Woods
Telephone-01743-231658
Web site- www.theboathouse-shrewsbury.co.uk/
This is a pub in an excellent riverside location by the footbridge at
Victoria Quay. Lovely Tudor timber-framed exterior gives the pub more plus points.
The décor inside is nice as well, but not as good as the outside. Strangely,
the bar is tucked away in the corner.
There is plenty of room for outside drinking, with 2 rows of decking
over-looking the river. As the sun is shining it is the perfect day to do just
that! Good to see the pub supporting local ales.
John 9/10 visit March 2009
________________________________________________________________________
NORTH OF TOWN CENTRE, CASTLEFIELDS
Dog and
Pheasant,
Owner- Marstons
Beers- Brakspears Oxford Gold, Marstons Pedigree,
Telephone-01743-35283
This is a small back-street local, which still has two bars. I am in the
lounge but no one is in here. Wrong choice! Nice décor with wood panelled walls and leather seating along the wall. Dartboard in the middle of the pub not in use. Various beers
from the Marstons range, but the pub sign says
John 7/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________
Dolphin
Inn,
Owner- Free House/ Brew pub?
Beers-
Telephone- 01743-350419
Web site- www.dolphin-shrewsbury.co.uk
John 8/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________-
Woodman, 32 Coton Hill,
Owner- Free house
Beers- Wye Valley HPA, Butty Back, Salopian Shropshire Gold, Hop
Twister, Stonehouse Cambrian Gold, Hobson Twister
Spire.
Telephone- 01743-351007
A pub which is to
the north of the town centre. It is the last of 4 pubs which are all close
together on this road. Two bar pub with the lounge a little like an old Courage
pub with wood panelled walls, carpet and red seating
along the walls. Friendly landlord has 6 local beers on tap, which are in fine
form! Cheese and ham rolls on the bar.
Pub opens at 1600 hours.
John 8/10 visit March 2009
________________________________________________________________________________
SOUTH OF TOWN CENTRE, BELLE
VUE
Prince of Wales,
Owner- Free House
Beers- Hobsons
Bitter, Greene King IPA, St Austell Tribitue, Salopian Golden Tread,
Telephone-01743 343301
Web site- www.princeofwaleshotel.co.uk
This is a excellent lively back-street local.
While the pub is small, it does have two bars with sport on in the public bar
side and food and drink in the lounge. Pub was crowded at the time of visit,
with even more people on the outside decking at the back of the pub which leads
on to a
John 9/10 visit March 2009
_____________________________________________________________________
Masonic Arms,
Owner- Free House
Beers- NO real ale
Telephone-01743-365149
A pub which about 15 minutes out
of town, it is on a main road but has a back- street local feel to it. A one bar pub with different alcove areas.
Only person in the pub at the time of visit (Sunday 1500 hours), but the
landlord was friendly enough. There are
two handpumps on the bar, but no real ale on at the
time of my visit.
John 5/10 visit March 2009
____________________________________________________________________
WEST OF TOWN CENTRE, MONKMOOR
Abbey,
Owner- Ember Inns
Beers-
M&B Brew IX, Holdens Mild, Fullers
Telephone-01743-236788
This is worth the trip from outside the town centre. This pub is an Ember Inn with a standard food
menu, but not a standard beer list. There are 8 real ales on, with 5 guest
beers (including some from
John 9/10 visit March 2009
_______________________________________________________________________
Old
Owner- Free House
Beers- Stonehouse
Station Bitter, Highgate Old Ale, Wells Bombardier
Telephone-01743-357547
This pub is on a main road east of the town centre. The décor of this
pub reminds a little of a Swiss chalet. With lots of wood, red walls and
blinds! Locals are mainly watching the 6 nations rugby
on the TV screens, which is creating a lively atmosphere. There are old
sporting photos on the walls including
John 8/10 visit March 2009
___________________________________________________________________