Walking. Gossip. Travel.

Category: UK

  • Hounslow – Moon Under the Water

    Another day, another pub from the Good Beer Guide and today I visited the urban delight that is Hounslow. The only entry that I could find in the guide was for the Moon under Water, another Wetherspoons outlet. However, if it’s good enough for the Good Beer Guide, it’s good enough for me to try.

    Clean, well maintained and there was a reasonable choice of real ales, although I didn’t notice anything on the darker end of the scale which looked particularly exciting. However, it was still an acceptable range given the size of the pub, which was relatively small for Wetherspoons.

    Pleasant little area towards the back of the pub, it felt more like a country pub.

    For someone who doesn’t eat full English breakfasts very often, I do appear to be doing quite well this week with them. This traditional breakfast and unlimited coffee came to around £4.50, decent value anywhere and especially so for London.

    And onto the service offered in this pub. It was excellent and much better than that at the Botwell Inn yesterday. There was a friendly welcome when I arrived, when I approached the bar and when I ordered. The team member was friendly, they engaged and they checked if I had everything I needed when they brought the food. There was a timely check back and I was asked if I had enjoyed the meal when the plate was collected. Staff were being pro-active in serving customers who were struggling slightly to get around and the pub had a real community feel to it. For a Wetherspoons it was exceptional, and even on the higher expectations of the Good Beer Guide it was an excellent effort.

    Given the low prices being charged, this was a really pleasant experience, and it was a spotlessly clean environment despite being busy. All very lovely.

  • Harlington – White Hart

    After the disappointing service at the nearby Botwell Inn, this was the other option in the Good Beer Guide. It’s a large venue which is over 200 years old (although no doubt much expanded over that time), retaining an almost country pub feel to it, despite its now urban surroundings.

    The pub sign at the restaurant end of the building, although I hadn’t initially distinguished that there were two entrances. The whole set-up is actually marginally confusing, as despite the large size there weren’t very many tables for drinkers, being a bit dominated by tables for diners. I assume that when it’s quiet the pub doesn’t mind drinkers using their restaurant tables, but I didn’t find it immediately obvious.

    The beer selection wasn’t particularly exciting, but the staff member was talking about the options that were going on later that day. The options that he spoke of sounded excellent and included a porter. However, given what was present at the time of my visit, I settled for half a pint of London Pride.

    The London Pride was well presented in a branded Fuller’s glass and it tasted well-kept and was at the appropriate slightly chilled temperature. It cost £2.10 which seemed a reasonable price given that the pub is nearby to Heathrow Airport.

    The customer service in this pub was excellent, perhaps the local Wetherspoons could try and pinch some of the White Hart’s staff. There was a warm welcome when I entered the pub, immediate acknowledgement at the bar, prompt service, engaging service and a feel of professionalism.

    I was tempted by the food menu, but decided to refrain on this occasion, but the reviews of the pub’s food are routinely positive. Specifically I decided to refrain as my phone battery was low and the pub has installed power points which can’t be used by the public. It’s their choice, but they’re probably pushing against the tide if they wish to continue that policy.

    The pub was clean and organised throughout, so it felt a comfortable environment. The strongest element here was though the customer service, it was friendly, personable and immediate, so I’d return here again.

  • Hayes – Botwell Inn

    There are two pubs in the Good Beer Guide in the area, so I decided to visit both today. This pub, the Botwell Inn, has been in the guide for the last ten years and is operated by JD Wetherspoon, so it certainly seems like a credit to them. The pub is large and was converted into one of the chain’s pubs in 2000 from its previous use as a furnishing store. The pub takes its name from the old village of Botwell which has now been rather subsumed by Hayes.

    An interesting little selection of real ales including the Chris Moose ale from Butcombe Beer, a brewery in Bristol who own a few pubs I’ve visited. There was also the standard JD Wetherspoon selection of Ruddles, Doom Bar and so on, with the prices being almost ridiculously cheap. I went for the Titanic Plum Porter using one of my CAMRA 50p vouchers, making it an almost unbeatable £1.65.

    One thing that initially bemused me was just how quiet the pub was, although I discovered a potential reason later on. The pub was though clean, organised and well presented throughout, it was one of the cleanest Wetherspoon outlets that I’ve visited (and since that’s nearly 400, that’s not a bad achievement).

    I ordered the traditional breakfast, just because I felt hungry and as usual it was reasonably priced. It was served promptly, was well presented and tasted of a good quality. Taking the price into account it was very acceptable.

    The service from what I suspect was the pub manager, or at least the team leader if he wasn’t, was excellent. He acknowledged waiting customers, made conversation and did make an effort to engage. The rest of the service was though all over the place and verged on rudeness, let alone basic customer service.

    The lack of check back wasn’t ideal, but isn’t particularly unusual, but the staff member who just ignored me when I thanked her for collecting the plate was unnecessarily rude. She did the same to other tables and I noticed customers didn’t react well to her. Customers were being served out of turn at the bar when I watched, but I’m not sure that the manager noticed this and it was clearly grating on some customers. Given that there were often more staff serving than customers, it did seem avoidable. And when I patiently waited for service and a staff member ignored me and walked by me to another customer she knew to serve them out of turn, I just gave up.

    Judging the visit in Wetherspoon terms, it’s just another chain pub and my custom isn’t particularly important to them. As a pub in the Good Beer Guide though, the service was rather disappointing given the range of beers and the competitive prices. The value offered by the pub was though excellent and it’s worth a visit to see just what real ales they have, as they change regularly.

  • Brighton – Evening Star

    The rain decided it would fall quite heavily tonight in Brighton, which meant that I had to do the only logical thing I could of, which was to run inside a pub. By run I actually mean walk.

    This is a tempting little number and the staff member was keen to engage about the options, mentioning there were some bottles of dark beer to choose from as well. The beer had only just been put on (I didn’t guess that, the staff member told me) and it had a sweet taste, but was very drinkable. At the appropriate temperature, it had a surprising number of flavours to it, much better than I had expected.

    I have a rule that if it rains when I’m in Brighton, then I’ll have a dark beer and a packet of Hula Hoops. Since this was a classy pub which sold such delights, I was pleased to be able to meet my rule. Which admittedly is a rule I’ve started tonight.

    Part of the beer list, there are certainly some expensive little numbers on here….

    I really liked this pub, it had a quiet atmosphere even when it was busy. Lots of character, although it’s one of the darkest pubs that I’ve visited. By dark, I mean that it hasn’t got much light, not that customers were taking part in some dark deeds. One customer was sitting directly under one of the few lights so that he could read his newspaper, and it did feel that it was a bit too dark. Anyway, it’s a charming pub and the service was efficient and friendly. and they had Hula Hoops.

  • Brighton – Prince Albert

    This live music and rock pub is part of the Brighton scene and it’s noticeable from the road if only for the graffiti and artwork on the side of it. It’s a bit hidden away at the bottom, but there’s a Bansky work there which is well known, the Kissing Policemen. Unfortunately this is just a copy, as the original was lifted on the pub in 2011 and sold at auction.

    I opted for the Broken Dream breakfast stout and the beer was well-kept and tasted of a good quality. I’ve seen quite a bit of the Siren Craft Brew beers over the last day, although I’m not sure why as it’s not a local company, it’s from Wokingham.

    The pub’s atmosphere felt just that bit tense to me, so I didn’t feel entirely comfortable throughout my time there. I think that’s the first time in 2018, so it’s not a feeling that I get very often. However, it is a vibrant pub and so they aren’t likely aiming to deliver a relaxed and refined ambience.

    I had thought about eating at the pub, but I decided against it given my thoughts about the atmosphere. But the menu options looked interesting, although perhaps just a little on the expensive side.

    The service was friendly and helpful, with the staff member knowledgeable about the beer selection. He also said goodbye when I left, and that sort of acknowledgement is nice to see (well, hear).

    The signage inside the pub for the toilets is excellent, one of the best that I’ve seen in a pub. However, that’s probably necessary as the male toilets are outside and they would be difficult to find without the clear signage. They weren’t in the best state, but outside toilets are not known for their decadent surroundings. The door to the toilets though is a work of art.

    Overall, I liked the pub, with a friendly atmosphere putting aside the slightly tense feel to the whole affair. The beer tasted fine, the staff member was polite and the food offering looked interesting.

  • Brighton – Craft Beer Co

    Primarily a London company, as this is their only pub outside of the capital, the Craft Beer Co have a reputation for excellent beer. They claim that they have the most beers on keg in Brighton with 22 to choose from, along with a selection of 200 bottles and cans. That’s certainly an impressive array of options….

    I asked about the dark beer selection and the staff member was positively enthusiastic about explaining them. I liked that engagement and the staff member seemed knowledgeable about what was available. This is the Sadako beer from the Weird Beard brewery in London.

    It’s a 9.5% imperial stout and so I asked about the price before ordering, and it’s a cool £13 per pint. I chose a third which cost just over £4, but it’s a drink to savour like wine, so the price didn’t seem entirely unreasonable. And it was excellent, with a rich taste and notes of vanilla and coffee. Beautiful and it was also at the appropriate slightly chilled temperature.

    And here’s some more of the beer menu, with numerous other options that were worth consideration. This is what is frustrating about visiting a Greene King pub which has the option of Greene King IPA and, er, Greene King IPA. The pub also serves food which are primarily burger based options, although I visited on the only night which it doesn’t (Tuesdays).

    Tastefully decorated, I only realised that there was an upstairs lounge area as well later on after I had left.

    There was a fire which the staff kept alight (it was meant to be on fire, this wasn’t some sort of Brexit protest), meaning that the atmosphere was nice and warm. It was actually too warm for me, but I like Arctic conditions, so I can’t blame the pub for that.

    I like this chain of pubs and I know I’ve visited one of the branches in London, although I’ve rather unhelpfully completely forgotten which one it was. So that story was slightly irrelevant. Anyway, the prices are expensive, but the surroundings are comfortable and the selection is interesting and pretty exceptional. All that comes at a cost, as no doubt does the competence of the bar staff who were engaging and knowledgeable.

  • Brighton – Pump House

    When we went to the Chequers pub in Oxford a couple of weeks ago, I downloaded the Nicholson’s app when our group ordered food. Roll forwards to my arrival in Brighton today, and I received a notification that I could get a pint for £1 at the Pump House, the Nicholson’s pub in the city. So, being easily tempted, I went along.

    The real ale which was going to be £1 had run out, so the helpful staff member suggested that I have a gin and tonic instead which would also be £1. This seemed like a good deal, so I went for that. I’m not really a gin person, primarily because I never think to order it (it looks expensive is the primary reason), but it’s a fashionable drink and I should really know more about it.

    Whilst I was at the bar I noticed the rather tempting Sweet Dream, so I went for half a pint of that as well. It’s a chocolate milk stout and it didn’t disappoint, with a rich flavour and a pleasant after-taste. It was also served at the appropriate slightly chilled temperature and the only thing really wrong with it was that I didn’t order a pint of it.

    I took a seat by the window and had a good view of the bar area of this historic pub, which apparently has cellars dating to the medieval period. The pub is one of the oldest in Brighton and an effort has been made with the interior, with some impressive mirrors and wooden panelling.

    A lady at the neighbouring table commented to her party that I typed very quickly, which is technically accurate, but she said it loudly enough that I had to acknowledge what she said. Anyway, she was rather lovely and conveniently I was offered some advice on Italy, which was well-timed since I was in the pub planning the 2019 Hike Norfolk trip to the land of pizza and wine.

    The view from inside the window looking outwards to an interesting part of Brighton, which like the pub also feels historic and full of atmosphere.

    The pub was comfortable and felt welcoming, with the two staff members making an effort to engage with customers. I still think that Nicholson’s are one of the better chains, something which the historic nature of their pubs helps with as they’re full of character.

  • Bristol – Zero Degrees

    This substantial brewery restaurant opened in 2004 and was purpose-built to meet the needs of Zero Degrees.

    A view down over the bar area.

    The clever design of the pub meant that we were able to see this brewery equipment, all adding to the character of the location.

    Ready for pizza…..

    Some nice glasses…..

    And the pizza, the sweet and spicy Italian sausage. Very lovely, lots of flavour although I’d have preferred a slightly crispier base. The price was reasonable and the food was brought over promptly, so there was no long wait. We weren’t sure how easy it would be to find a table for five for food in Bristol, but there was a reasonable amount of space here and so we were seated immediately.

    Not that it would have mattered as we were there on a Friday, but the restaurant has resorted to a buy one get one free with Tastecard, a sign to me that a location isn’t performing well. They might be doing perfectly well, but I wouldn’t go back knowing that they were ditching out food cheap like this without it being offered to loyal customers.

    The service was quirky and the server had a rather dry wit, but he came across as friendly and welcoming. The environment was pleasant and despite the harshness of the interior design, it was still comfortable in the dining area.

     

  • Bristol – St. John’s Conduit

    A little bit random, but this is St. John’s Conduit, located at St. John on the Wall Church on Broad Street. This was originally installed to bring water to the Carmelite Friary in the fourteenth century and it is rumoured that it ran with wine during elections in the city.

    The information plaque at the conduit. Part of the original route of the conduit is apparently marked on the pavement by small plaques, but I didn’t know about this at the time to look out for them.

    And a sign nearby informing those passing by that the conduit had been the only source of fresh water in the city during the Second World War.

  • Bristol – The Three Tuns

    The Three Tuns is an independent pub with a comfortable atmosphere, although it proved to be too busy for us to stay too long. I was though pleased with the pub’s thoughts on Brexit which were mentioned on a chalk board on the back bar. There’s also some history to the pub which retains a traditional feel and it dates back to the early part of the twentieth century.

    Some of the beer selection which had been sourced from numerous breweries. I say some of the beer selection although the photo doesn’t exactly show much of the choice, although it does evidence that this was a local CAMRA pub of the year in 2012.

    The Three Tuns also does food and if I were ever to make a future visit, I’d pop along to try out the menu which is mostly themed around burgers and is operated by a separate company in the pub’s kitchen. Given that the pub isn’t that large in size, it seems a sensible choice to just operate with a limited menu.

    A poster in the pub detailing some of the many heritage pubs in Bristol.

    It was a shame that we couldn’t stay for longer in the pub and they did try and find us a table, but there sadly weren’t any available. There seems to be lots of events held here, including quiz nights, film nights and live music, and there was a community atmosphere even though it’s a city centre pub.