Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Category: UK

  • Nottingham – Canalhouse

    Nottingham – Canalhouse

    I had a couple of hours to wait in Nottingham for my train, so I couldn’t resist going back to one of my favourite pubs in the country. Located in what was originally a canal museum, the Canalhouse became a pub in the year 2000 and is the only location that I know of which has a canal barge in the actual pub.

    The Black Band porter from Kirkstall Brewery, an above average dark beer with a rich flavour.

    There are discounts for CAMRA members and it’s one of the more unusual drinking environments. I’m entirely unsure why this pub isn’t listed in the Good Beer Guide though, it’s quirky and charming, but I’m sure there’s a reason why the denizens of CAMRA Nottingham decided against it.

    Looking out onto the barge. I didn’t have anything to eat on this visit, but there’a food menu and this is available throughout the day.

    A photo taken from the bridge which is inside the pub.

    Tynemill pubs no longer exist, they were renamed as Castle Rock in 2007, one of the better pub chains in the country and I’ve been to many of their Nottingham locations.

    Service in the pub was in line with my previous experiences, which was friendly, polite and helpful. The prices charged are reasonable and the selection of beers was excellent. It’s quite a spacious pub internally, but there aren’t a huge number of tables inside, although the external seating area is relatively extensive.

  • Mansfield – Widow Frost

    Mansfield – Widow Frost

    Some thought went into the naming of this Wetherspoon’s pub located on Leeming Street, with the company saying:

    “This pub is named after the 18th-century landlady of The Mason’s Arms which stood on this site. Widow Frost was probably the first to run The Mason’s Arms after its name was changed from The Horse and Jockey in 1780.”

    A 1913 advert in the local newspaper noted that the pub was being refurbished, with the stabling still in operation and the entrance for where this was is still visible on the pub’s frontage. The advert also informed customers to enter via Clumber Street, which happens today to be the location of another pub, the Stag and Pheasant, operated by Wetherspoon’s. More on this in another post, but this is a complex site and the original Stag and Pheasant pub was located on the corner of Leeming Street and Clumber Street.

    The Sleepy Badger beer from Little Critters Brewery, an oatmeal stout, which I thought was much better than some of the on-line reviews suggest. Malty and not inconsiderably chocolatey, an impressive beer at the usual low Wetherspoon’s price point.

    I had a little look at their TripAdvisor reviews, which are mixed, pretty usual for Wetherspoons. I liked this one:

    “My partner and I have ordered the skinny steak and quinoa salad since 2006-but standards have slipped think armageddon!!!”

    I’m not entirely sure that Armageddon is really being used appropriately here, but, as the staff member politely replied, the pub chain had only served quinoa salad for a few months when this review had been written in 2018 and the poster didn’t realise skinny steak meant it came with salad, not that it was skinny.

    Anyway, service in the pub was warm and friendly, with no real delays at any point. It wasn’t the cleanest pub I’ve seen, but it was warm and comfortable. Certainly a decent selection of beers and the pub deserves its listing in the Good Beer Guide.

  • Croydon – Ibis Styles

    Croydon – Ibis Styles

    I’ve stayed at this hotel before as it’s a useful accommodation option which is located between Gatwick Airport and London. It’s also quite a quirky hotel, a cross between somewhere where clearly money has been spent and where shortcuts have also been taken.

    A sink pedestal which is the wrong shape for the sink and the newly painted ceiling in the bathroom was also badly flaking.

    The room itself though was clean and well presented, with a modern feel to it. The television seemed slightly small, but since I never turn them on, it didn’t make any difference to me. The coffee here is dreadful though, I don’t know where they’ve got their sachets from. I made a cup of coffee and had to immediately pour it down the sink after trying it.

    The welcome drink is generous in terms of the options and this was provided without my needing to ask for it. There was no welcome gift, but these are often missing in Ibis Styles and Ibis Hotels. The check-in process also required me to present ID, which was fine as I had my passport as I was coming back from Spain, but I’m not sure why they were doing this and it concerned me that they’ve been having problems. It’s also the first Accor Hotel in the UK that has sought to check my ID before, a habit they could perhaps abandon or explain.

    There was a choice of Becks or Stella in terms of the beer, both options which are, well, not exactly to my palate. The staff member sat for 75 seconds (yeah, I timed it as I’m dull like that) staring at his phone before he noticed me at the bar.

    The hotel clearly doesn’t have any Becks glasses, as that’s what I ordered and was poured. That’s a mispour, way too much head and no attempt to correct it. But, to be honest, it was more than enough Becks.

    The breakfast was included in the room rate and was entirely adequate. There’s no cooked breakfast, which is fine by me, but there was ham and cheese, along with muffins, pastries, fruit salads and yoghurt. The fruit salads were quite bland, as were some of the pastries, but the ham and cheese was of a decent quality. The hotel staff did get a complaint when I was there that there was no hot option, but taking the price point of the hotel into account, this doesn’t feel unreasonable to me.

    My healthy choices….

    I had a little read of their TripAdvisor reviews as I like a bit of drama.

    “Just left the hotel and I’m so upset needed a nice hot breakfast this morning to come to the restaurant and have hard bread and a little piece of cheese and ham and cereal was not what I needed”

    Do people really get “so upset” about this? Although, actually, since I get grumpy when I’m given a cold chicken bake at Greggs instead of a lovely hot one, I take their point….

    “I didn’t realise the rooms where like a attic the Ceiling was very low. I felt costa-phobic. I asked the reception if I can be moved they said all rooms are booked now. I couldn’t really sleep much as I felt anxious.”

    Costa-phobic? I quite like attic rooms, adds a bit of character, as long I don’t hit my head.

    Overall, I don’t entirely get this hotel, there are some excellent intentions and some mixed service standards from the staff. But, bearing in mind the price point, it’s hard to really complain, especially as the room was clean and the bed was comfortable.

  • Edwinstowe – Major Oak

    Edwinstowe – Major Oak

    This substantial oak tree is, according to legend, where Robin Hood and merry men rested. The tree is approximately 800 to 1,000 years old and there’s a substantial and complex scaffolding arrangement to support the branches which has been in place since the Victorian period. Sitting under the tree for a picnic was also a very fashionable thing to do, and a newspaper in 1863 said that “the tree may yet stand for many more generations”. At the beginning of the twentieth century, some tree expert decided that it would be a marvellous ideal to pour concrete in the trunk to help protect it, which was perhaps not entirely the most sensible thing to do.

    There was another tree, known as the Shambles, which is where the merry men hang their venison. Unfortunately, although this tree became a little bit of a celebrity icon, or something like that, in the nineteenth century, it fell down in the 1960s.

  • Sheffield – Head of Steam

    Sheffield – Head of Steam

    Following my visits to their pubs in Liverpool and Hull, this is my third Head of Steam in four weeks. I might as well try and get to them all over the coming few years, yet another challenge to try and meet.

    The beer selection was extensive, varied and interesting. The member of bar staff was knowledgeable, helpful and I also liked that the pub offered CAMRA discount even on half pints. I opted for the Pollards Milk Stout from Thornbridge Brewery, which was beautiful, creamy in taste and full of flavour, with hints of chocolate and coffee.

    The building used to be a bank, with one of their safes still visible.

    I doubt Scott wants to be in a photo, but since he won’t read this, it won’t matter. Like Schrodinger’s Photo, it might not exist if you don’t know about it. Anyway, it was the glass that amused me, a special child’s glass for Scott.

    A Chimay beer bottle, something a little different in terms of the decor. Although, whilst on the subject of decor, I was disappointed that there weren’t any screens as I wanted to see my name on the live Untappd feed, which is because I’m very easily pleased.

    Overall, this was another very lovely pub, laid-back, fun, interesting and quirky. I also liked that the music wasn’t too loud, the building was interesting and there were plenty of different seating areas. I was confused why they had doormen on the front checking customers entering, but no-one at the back of the pub, but the atmosphere was welcoming and calm, so all seemed under control.

  • Sheffield – Gardeners Rest

    Sheffield – Gardeners Rest

    This understated little pub was busy even in the afternoon, but the welcome was friendly and there was a relaxed atmosphere in the venue. It’s run as a community pub and that local feel was evident, no doubt essential after floods caused significant damage in 2007 and closed the premises for some time.

    The Porteresque from Hophurst Brewery, which was frankly, quite brilliant. Rich and long-lasting flavours of salted caramel in a beer, there can’t be many better flavour combinations. Although when a brewery finally gets around to launching a chicken bake porter, that might be the ultimate taste sensation.

    The bar billiards table, where Nathan managed to narrowly beat me, although it was strange playing on a table with different rules to what I’m used to. Liam and Ross powered to a 0-0 draw, one of the worst games I’ve seen, but I was fortunately happily distracted with the beer.

    Back to the service in the pub, which was impeccable, with the staff being interested in their customers and willing to answer questions. They were conversational, engaging, friendly and all the other elements which makes me like a pub just that bit more. And with everything else stacking up, this was my favourite pub in Sheffield. And indeed, one of my pubs of the year, being the fourth to be added to my list.

    All very lovely.

  • Sheffield – Devonshire Cat

    Sheffield – Devonshire Cat

    There was something of a Head of Steam or Brewdog feel to this pub, an informal bar which seemed to be popular with students, not least as it’s beneath a university accommodation block.

    A well put together choice of keg and craft beers, although the writing on the board was difficult to read in places.

    Of all the 20 or so pubs we visited during the weekend to Sheffield, this was perhaps my least favourite. Not that there was anything particularly wrong with it, indeed it seemed successful, but the noise was a bit loud and the beer just a bit too cold for my liking. The beer I opted for was the Yorkshire Blackout Nitro Stout, but I struggled to find any real depth of flavour to it all and I would have rather it had been served at something like cellar temperature rather than Yorkshire Blackout Extra Cold.

    I think that on reflection I’d have liked this more during the day, when there was likely a quieter and more relaxed vibe, as the food options looked interesting. It was though also one of the most expensive rounds of the weekend and this was before Nathan started to eye up some of the more premium craft beers.

    My favourite review on TripAdvisor made me love the pub more though, a customer complained about how many craft beers they had, noting with their 1/5 review:

    “Whilst for some it maybe a selling point, for me the fact I can’t even get a popular lager meant I was only drinking shorts.”

  • Sheffield – Kelham Island Tavern

    Sheffield – Kelham Island Tavern

    This is the only pub that has won the CAMRA national pub of the year for two consecutive years and it has won a host of branch and regional awards as well over the years. It was a derelict pub pulled back into use by Trevor Wraith in 2001, a perhaps unlikely location at first sight to have been saved, with the landlord only retiring earlier in 2019. Under new landlords, the pub has continued its policy of having around thirteen real ales available, with a mild and porter always on that list of options.

    We were delayed a little by a rather out of their depth group of customers who seemed to be already intoxicated and loud, being demanding and frustrating to the staff. However, once free of them, the atmosphere at the bar improved somewhat.

    The selection of beers, an excellent choice which is to be expected from a pub with such a positive reputation. I went for the Dead Disco from Chin Chin Brewery, which was fine but it was called a Mexican stout because of the chilli, and that element was perhaps just a little lacking. Anyway, a rather special pub and they have a collection of old Good Beer Guides and it was very lovely to be in such an award winning location.

  • Norwich to Gatwick Airport by Overnight Train

    Norwich to Gatwick Airport by Overnight Train

    The train from Norwich to London Liverpool Street wasn’t very busy, around a handful of passengers in each carriage. Although, slightly irritatingly, I had to change carriage after getting all comfortable as I discovered the power didn’t work in the one that I had chosen. The conductor was a friendly and affable man, with the train being spotlessly clean since the cleaners spent around thirty minutes on it, cleaning it both inside and out.

    Safely at London Liverpool Street, arriving on time. I noticed customers in two carriages couldn’t get out, an unfortunate side effect of these slam shut doors. I, being ever helpful, opened one door when walking by, whilst the others managed to unfree themselves from their trap.

    Although I had a ticket to use public transport from London Liverpool Street to London Blackfriars, the underground was just shutting down and the times suggested by GWR didn’t seem to actually correspond to any underground trains. So, since I like walking, I went for the option of the 25-minute walk across the city.

    I’ve never seen the above church, which is St Ethelburga’s at Bishopgate, near to Liverpool Street station, which just goes to show how unobservant that I can be… It’s one of the few surviving medieval churches in the city centre and there were once two shops at the front of the building, but these have since been removed. It was also one of the churches which allowed divorcees to remarry, which wasn’t quite within the rules of the time. Although the building has mostly survived, even through the London Blitz, it didn’t entirely make it through an IRA bomb placed outside in 1993, which destroyed 70% of the building.

    The Bank of England.

    St. Paul’s Cathedral.

    Safely at Blackfriars station, where I promptly went up the wrong escalator and reached the platform for trains to Luton Airport. Hopefully no-one noticed me going up one escalator and then straight back down the one next to it.

    This was awkward, I’d reached the correct platform, which was Platform 1, and noticed there was a train ready and waiting to depart to Three Bridges. This is also the train to Gatwick Airport and the passenger in front of me ran for the train, where as I thought I’d have a little meander around as I was hardly in a rush. And then I heard the station staff call out that they’d hold the train for me, so I do a slightly fast walk to get a train that I didn’t really need to get.

    I thought I looked quite smooth and nonplussed in walking towards the train, although I might have actually rushed and been less lackadaisical if it was a train I was actually trying to get.

    On board the Thameslink service from London Blackfriars to Gatwick Airport.

    The train arrived on time at Gatwick Airport.

    Inside the terminal, one of the few times that the ticket machines are so underused. Incidentally, my railway ticket failed to open the barriers and I noted that Gatwick Airport had employed a member of barrier staff who didn’t burden himself in using his customer service skills. But, since he was standing there at 01:00 in the morning, perhaps it’s not entirely fair to expect him to be anything other than fed up.

    And here we are at Gatwick Airport arrivals at South Terminal, arriving around 30 minutes earlier than expected as I accidentally caught a train I hadn’t intended to get at London Blackfriars. The ticket cost just over £20, which I think is reasonable given the distance travelled and the comfort provided. It just now means I have to faff about for my flight, but I like the adventure really….

     

  • Sheffield – Shakespeare Pub

    Sheffield – Shakespeare Pub

    This pub, which is now in the Good Beer Guide, has had a difficult few years involving closure and a substantial refurbishment before it reopened. But, it’s now an established and popular pub again, with an entry into the Good Beer Guide.

    This is a marvellous thing to see on the entrance into the pub, although perhaps Ross might have privately disagreed…..

    The kegs and casks list, all very clear and I like the title of Shakesbeers.

    The Milky Joe coffee milk stout from Ridgeside Brewery, an entirely acceptable beer with a pleasant flavour, although it lacked the depth of taste that I’d have ideally liked. However, still drinkable and it was at the appropriate slightly chilled temperature. The service was polite and efficient, with the staff being keen to help and offer assistance to customers.

    The external yard of the pub, where the stabling was once located for the horses when it was a coaching inn. The interior of the pub has been knocked about since it was opened in the early nineteenth century (although I had thought it was an earlier building, it had that sort of atmosphere), although I didn’t spend long trying to work out what went where. There are though several smaller rooms, with the whole pub having a real character to it, although I’d like to return when it’s quieter as I didn’t really get chance to have a proper look around the building. Another very deserved entry in the Good Beer Guide, which notes that this pub has served over 5,000 different beers over the last seven years.