Walking. Gossip. Travel.

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  • Hull – Taphouse Brewpub

    Hull – Taphouse Brewpub

    This is the final Good Beer Guide listed pub in Hull that I hadn’t visited before, located in the rather on-trend Fruit Market area of the city. It’s a combination of a brewery which is jointly used by Bone Machine and the Yorkshire Brewing Company, as well as a bar area.

    The beer options on the board, a mixture of keg, cask and at the time of my visit, a German beer festival as well for Oktoberfest. I thought that the beer pricing was reasonable and I ordered at the bar, although I think it was meant to be table service. Either way, the staff were friendly and the atmosphere was laid-back and inviting.

    The food menu, where the prices were a bit more punchy. I had already eaten, but the food options looked good.

    I went for a couple of half pints, the Erdinger Dunkel (above) and the Men Beyond the Glass from Bone Machine. Both were very drinkable and at the appropriate temperature and all that. The interior of the bar is all modern and I liked the seating around the table, although it took me some manoeuvring to get in. There are plenty of power points dotted around the bar, which is perhaps something of a sign about how modern an interior is.

    It’s an interesting bar and I liked it, although I can imagine that it gets busy on weekends (and indeed, we couldn’t get in one evening last year as it was full). It’s well reviewed, although there is a 1-star review because the venue used disposable cutlery last year to make it easier to maintain Covid compliance, despite it being a “really nice place. Atmosphere, food and service were great”, which must be disheartening. But there’s always someone wanting to do a place down over Covid, although hopefully that is something which is behind us. The beer range wasn’t the most decadent that I’ve seen, but there were a range of different styles and there was plenty of choice. So that’s another bar that I’m pleased is listed in the Good Beer Guide and I think that I made the right decision to go and visit to complete my collection of Hull pubs that are listed in it. Although the new book is out in a few weeks, so if there’s somewhere new that’s another place I’d have to traipse to….

  • National Express : Hull to London Victoria Coach Station

    National Express : Hull to London Victoria Coach Station

    I left the hotel before 07:00 to get back to London which wasn’t ideal, but a nice sunrise.

    The beginning of the near six hour coach journey, the moderately beautiful Hull Interchange bus and railway station.

    The signage in the bus station was bloody dreadful and it was no surprise there were passengers seeking help from others. It seems to me completely idiotic for this to be the only sign for National Express, which doesn’t even have the correct bus number for the journey I was taking anyway. The overheard screens were displaying incorrect information, just to add to the confusion. If anyone misses the coach, they’d be within their rights to complain to National Express for this in my (rather random) view….

    Having had years of practice at finding the right place to wait for coaches/trains/buses/ferries/planes/etc, I was sitting in the right place for the coach.

    I was able to get my favourite emergency exit row seat. I accept it’s not as exciting as getting the exit row on an aircraft, but it still offers more leg room so I was happy. I was slightly humoured at the elderly couple who were determined to get on first and were edging their luggage closer to the door in the coach station. They then realised that their luggage was setting off the automatic doors so they were getting cold, with the husband then moving it all about again, but carefully blocking anyone else for daring to get in front of them. I’m unsure why they did that, since they sat in a random place midway down the coach, but whatever makes them happy.

    The USB charger on my side didn’t work, but fortunately the coach was never that busy and so there was no-one next to me. The bus stopped at Lincoln and Nottingham and I had expected it to get busy at the latter stop, but the coach wasn’t ever more than half-full.

    I tried to take a photo going over the Humber Bridge, but I don’t think I’ll be entering it into any artistic or photographic competitions.

    And there’s the coach having arrived into London Victoria coach station, around ten minutes ahead of schedule. This was another efficient service and a bargain at £7.60 compared to how much a rail journey would have been. There were no issues en route, other than for what appeared to be a drugged up passenger shouting and swearing down the phone to someone, but all that adds to the excitement for me, so that was handy.

    Anyway, other than for the usual poor signage from National Express, all very efficient and the drivers were polite and helpful.

  • Bradford – Bradford Cathedral (Children of Samuel Hailstone)

    Bradford – Bradford Cathedral (Children of Samuel Hailstone)

    The vault in Bradford Cathedral which contains the remains of the three children of Samuel Hailstone (1768-1851) and his wife Ann Hailstone. The slightly unusual surname is likely to derive from someone in the family having once lived at a location called Hailstone, such as Hailstone Hill in Wiltshire or Hailstone Farm in Gloucestershire. It’s quite eye-catching due to how the cathedral has placed the little choir children.

    The children are:

    (i) Thomas Hailstone, born 1 March 1814, died 9 April 1816

    (ii) William Hailstone, born 23rd September 1815, died 4 April 1816

    (iii) Frances Hailstone, born 7 February 1820, died 16 February 1824.

    Samuel and Ann also had four children who survived to an older age (or at least into adulthood):

    (i) John Hailstone (1810-1871)

    (ii) Edward Ripley Hailstone (1818-1890)

    (iii) Anne Hailstone (1811-1834)

    (iv) Elisabeth (1809-1832)

    Which means that of Samuel’s seven children, he outlived five of them. The death of Thomas and William in the same week was noted in the local newspaper, which mentioned that the family lived at Croft House, but I can save time by linking to more information about this at https://bradfordlocalstudies.com/2016/08/30/map-of-the-week-a-century-of-bradford-hailstones/.

  • Bradford – Bradford Cathedral

    Bradford – Bradford Cathedral

    This is from my visit to Bradford Cathedral a couple of weeks ago, and I managed to take around 80 photos, which is rather more than I had anticipated. This means that I now feel the need to post some individual posts featuring some of the photos to justify my efforts in taking them. It is though a beautiful building, mixing heritage and a modern feel.

    This was St. Peter’s Church until it was elevated to cathedral status in 1919, with a religious building on this site since the Anglo-Saxon period although it was likely derelict at the time of the Norman occupation. The current building is at its heart from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, with some modern bits added on. It has had to cater for a growing population, but it wasn’t knocked about too much by the Victorians, although was extended in the 1950s following the designs of the architect Edward Maufe. The changes in population in this area are evident as this building was once in the Diocese of York, then the Diocese of Ripon before becoming its own diocese when it became a cathedral.

    The cathedral’s exterior, with many locals enjoying the sunny weather and sitting in the churchyard (I didn’t include them in the photo).

    I’ll have to write separate posts about some of the elements that interested me at the cathedral, but this is the interior which was peaceful and quiet. The cathedral had the foresight to create a museum of religion here at the turn of the century, but unfortunately it wasn’t a financial success, perhaps just too niche. Anyway, the environment in the building felt welcoming and one of the staff made brief conversation as they walked by, and I think that engagement is really useful as someone might have gone in needing assistance.

  • Leicester – Travelodge Leicester City Centre

    Leicester – Travelodge Leicester City Centre

    This is from my stay in early September 2021, the nearly new Leicester City Centre Travelodge. I’ve been deeply impressed this year by much of what Travelodge are doing, but as far as I could see this hotel was ineptly managed. Firstly, it took me the best part of half an hour to get in, as there is no working intercom at the front door. The shopping centre entrance was closed when I visited, so the only way in was via the car park entrance. That required me to press the buzzer to the car park, which is privately operated, who let me in so that I could walk around to the hotel.

    I got to reception and there were no staff, just a queue of other annoyed guests. The staff member seemed perplexed that the buzzer wasn’t working, although it transpired it had been broken for some days, it hadn’t occurred to them to put a sign up. The staff member mentioned I could have phoned the local number on the sign at reception, but I wasn’t entirely sure how she thought I was going to have seen that, and the phone number in the booking was a premium rate one. The reason I must admit to being annoyed at the management is that guests the next day still couldn’t get in, so I wasn’t convinced they were in the slightest bit interested.

    The hotel was clean and organised, although I was already pre-annoyed at the whole set-up by this point.

    This whole set-up is odd, the exit is on the ground floor, but can only be accessed via the first floor. Anyone with disabilities needs to use stair lifts to get from the entrance to the first floor lift, or use the shopping centre when it’s open. This isn’t Travelodge being awkward, it’s a former office block being converted into hotel use, but it means a clunky set-up to get in. It all felt slightly too unsafe for my liking, especially given the indifference of the management here.

    The conversion from an office block has meant that the rooms are larger than usual size and they look really quite barren. I don’t use the television in hotel rooms, but it looked a little ridiculous that tiny thing on the wall. The windows are sealed and the air quality in the room is poor, with loud and clunky air conditioning. The whole arrangement was way too sterile for me, although the hotel room was very clean, perhaps inevitable given how new everything was.

    I wouldn’t stay at this hotel again, partly because I wouldn’t be comfortable that I could actually get in, but also because of the sterile rooms and the poor air quality. There is another Travelodge in the centre of Leicester, more on which shortly, which was older but which I much preferred. This hotel was very reasonably priced, but perhaps this whole set-up would have been better turned into residential accommodation.

  • Hull – Ibis City Centre (Visit 3)

    Hull – Ibis City Centre (Visit 3)

    This is my third visit to the Accor operated Ibis in Hull, centrally located and reasonably priced.

    I was able to have a little meander around the reception area when checking in at around 22:30 as the staff were all elsewhere for several minutes.

    The room, which is brand standard and what I expected, although missing a hairdryer but I can cope without that. The set-up is becoming ever more rickety, they’re going to have to refurbish this hotel soon as the rooms are becoming slowly but steadily more damaged and the carpets more stained. Cleanliness was adequate, nothing more, with this being another Accor hotel which isn’t cleaning the room during guest stays. They also hadn’t filled two of the three shower gels in the room, which was hardly a problem, but wasn’t perhaps ideal.

    I slightly suspect a dispense problem here, as the already very average Boddington’s was devoid of any taste at all, almost a junk product. This Accor doesn’t have a very good selection of beers, it’s one of the weakest selections I’ve seen in an Ibis hotel and they should perhaps make more effort here. I can’t overly complain as it was a free welcome drink, but it’s all a bit lacklustre. Also, the chocolate bar they used to give as a welcome gift has gone, perhaps not their wisest move as it’s just a cheap gesture that likely created at least a bit of goodwill (it did with me anyway).

    However, there were no noise disturbances either internally or externally, so I had no issues during my stay. When I asked for more coffee I was given a huge heap of them, so no complaints there either. I didn’t want breakfast here, but I note their old previous offer price has gone, and it’s back to £8.50. I didn’t see anyone having breakfast when I walked by on three mornings, I suspect that the Wetherspoons over the road has stolen nearly all of that trade from them. I shall likely stay here again, but I hope they start a refurbishment programme soon. Oh, and dump their generic beer options, or at least get something marginally more decadent.

  • Hull – Whalebone

    Hull – Whalebone

    I’ve visited nearly all of the Good Beer Guide pubs in Hull in the past, with just two remaining in Hull. One was the Taphouse, which I tried before one evening last year but it was full, and I thought I’d visit this week, but this time the bar was shut with a sign saying “closed today for maintenance”. It’s not an ideal situation, as I had checked their Facebook page in advance and they could have perhaps mentioned that. Anyway, I’ll try them again another day, but that gave me the chance to go straight to the Whalebone. This is an unusual pub in an industrial part of Hull and is in a building that I would have almost certainly have overlooked if it wasn’t listed in the Good Beer Guide (and also to be fair separately recommended to me).

    My first impressions were hugely positive, this was a mix of a traditional pub with the modern delights of Untappd screens. The atmosphere was friendly, the member of bar staff was personable and engaging, with the entire set-up being my sort of place.

    This has been a licensed premises since 1791, with CAMRA noting that the current building dates to 1791. A pub company would never have sustained this pub, it requires something exceptional given its location, so it’s no huge surprise that it’s been free trade since 2002. It’d be impossible to create this sort of atmosphere either, the heritage is evident with the old photos and dated design (but I’d add that it’s spotlessly clean), but it’s also rare to see such a well presented bar full of tempting options (and I mainly mean beers, but I was pleased to see three different types of Peperami….)

    The range of beers was exceptional, with a wide selection of styles and some interesting keg and cask options. The list at Untappd was also up-to-date, making it much easier to see what was available, although the traditional blackboards were still there as well. I started with the Kaya from Brew York and this was a delight, with the crisps complementing it beautifully.

    But, let me just focus on the Cherry Tonkoko from Brew York, a beautiful beer that was 9.5% ABV, but it was smooth, rich and had a decadent aftertaste. That this was available at a back street pub in Hull is an indication to me of just how well run the pub was.

    This pub obviously deserves to be in the Good Beer Guide and it’s one of the most authentic places that I’ve been to this year. It is slightly awkward for me to have my Pub of the Year just down the road from the Hop and Vine (what I consider to be one of the best pubs in the country) but that is looking like a distinct possibility here for 2021…. I have to say that this was really all quite lovely.

  • Shipley – Ibis Bradford Shipley

    Shipley – Ibis Bradford Shipley

    This is from my stay in Shipley a few weeks ago and I chose this Accor hotel as it was the cheapest in the area. I thought at the time that seemed odd, as it’s in a tourist area and there was a festival going on at nearby Saltaire. Just in case there had been a mistake, I decided to check-in early (and all was well), and I heard them answering the phone to numerous people saying that they were full. As an aside, although the hotel is called Bradford Shipley, it is very firmly in Shipley and requires a rail journey (or some other form of transportation) to get to Bradford.

    The hotel was dispensing with the usual practice of giving guests the room of their preference (it’s located in the Accor app settings) and just handing out room keys randomly. That probably wasn’t the ideal situation, as there are some people who would prefer to be on the ground floor and I prefer not to be, but I was given a room near reception. It was adequate, although I wouldn’t say that it was spotlessly clean. They forgot my welcome drink, but provided it after I requested it. The staff were though friendly and helpful throughout my stay, but the whole process felt automated rather than personalised.

    I got a biscuit though, so I was happy.

    This is unusual, an Accor hotel which is actually sourcing local beers. Saltaire is down the road and it’s a good call to stock this beer, which I had as my welcome drink.

    The hotel is located near to a Wetherspoons, and it was evident that numerous guests were going there for breakfast and other meals. This is another of the falling number of hotels that is trying to avoid cleaning rooms due to Covid, a situation that probably needs to come to an end sooner rather than later. The hotel is really also on the edge of needing a comprehensive refurbishment as well, it’s creaking a little bit in terms of the maintenance. However, I was grateful for a reasonably priced room for the weekend and I didn’t have any noise disturbances either internally or externally, so all was well.

  • Shipley – Norman Rae

    Shipley – Norman Rae

    From a couple of weeks ago, this was my visit to the Good Beer Guide listed Norman Rae pub in Shipley, operated by JD Wetherspoons. It’s a relatively large and modern pub building, although a little unexceptional perhaps in terms of the design.

    That’s the Baltic Rum Porter from Bridgehouse Brewery, a really decent 6% ABV beer with a richness of flavour that only cost £1 for a half pint. I also had the 1872 Porter from Elland Brewery and the Raspberry Blonde from Little Critters Brewing Company, also excellent beers at the same very reasonable price. All three of those beers are way above average and there was certainly nothing generic about any of them. I’m unsure how much money is being made here  by the brewer or the pub at those prices, but I can see why this JD Wetherspoon outlet has found itself in the Good Beer Guide.

    I had the chicken jalfrezi at the same time, all as expected. The pub is relatively well reviewed and the staff members were friendly and helpful. The pub was sufficiently clean and the service was efficient and prompt. JD Wetherspoon pubs might have their faults, but they’re still operating to a decent standard and the real ale options and prices were really quite lovely. I did pop back here for breakfast one morning, which was also fine, and was realistically much better value than the Ibis hotel that I was staying in.

  • Huddersfield – Harold Wilson Statue

    Huddersfield – Harold Wilson Statue

    This photo is from when I visited Huddersfield a couple of weeks ago and this statue of former Harold Wilson (1916-1995) was easily identifiable and he’s got himself a decent spot here. Wilson was born and lived in the town, maintaining links to Huddersfield throughout his life.

    The statue omits Wilson’s famous pipe, apparently at the request of his wife Mary (1916-2018) and it was unveiled by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1999. It was designed by Ian Walters and cost £70,000, being based on photos of how Wilson looked in 1964.

    If anyone wondered about how bloody useless TripAdvisor is, this review was left of the statue in July 2019.

    “Ok, it’s cheap and you get what you pay for. However why do you have to send out rubbish for people to eat. Describing an Item on the menu as a Gourmet ultimate burger and then serving the whole fat soaked lukewarm crap meal that must have been kept for ages, is an insult.”

    I imagine that this review was meant for the Lord Wilson pub……