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Category: UK

  • Aldershot – Stones Outside Princes Hall

    I guessed that these stones were once part of the original entrance to the barracks, but it’s disappointing that there isn’t more information about them actually at the site.

    Fortunately, they were listed in 1982 and so there’s a description of them on the Historic England page. The text reads:

    “Two carved stone plaques, mounted on low bases, being the surviving elements of the former gateway, at this point, to the East Cavalry (Warburg) Barracks. Rectangular white stone blocks, with cambered top edge. In high relief carving, each has the initials VR (Victoria Regina) enclosed within an oval wreath of oak leaves, with crossed ribbons; on each side a branch of laurel leaves. At the foot, incised letters with the words, in one case ‘EAST CAVALRY BARRACKS’, and in the other ‘ERECTED AD 1859’.”

    And here’s what they used to look like when the barracks were still standing.

  • Aldershot – Former Grosvenor Road Methodist Church

    Located on Grosvenor Road, this Methodist church was built in 1877 and was used as a soldiers’ home and hall for over a century. It closed in 1989 as the Grade II listed building was too expensive for the local Methodists to support, but fortunately it was saved by converting it into offices and retail space.

    The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1875 and the building was constructed with a range of architectural styles, including Gothic, Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular. The 1990s conversion has been sympathetic and the exterior of the building does still look like a church, which is more than a church conversion I saw by Tesco did….

  • Aldershot – Princes Gardens Bandstand

    Located in Princes Gardens this bandstand is decorated with poppies, appropriate for my visit to a military town near to the date of Remembrance Day.

    Rather lovely.

  • Aldershot – The Victoria

    Once a Hogshead pub, The Victoria is now operated by Greene King and it appears to have been refurbished and renovated recently. Rather awkwardly an elderly lady decided to rush to the door to open it for me, which was perhaps not necessary, but it was a nice thought for another customer to have.

    This is a pretty disappointing real ale selection, I’m aware it’s a Greene King pub, but a little innovation is surely in order. The Abbot did though taste fine, although it seemed quite lively watching the staff member pour it.

    The bar, all looking modern and fresh. The pub was clean throughout and it was a comfortable and modern environment, and the staff member was really welcoming. I guessed that she was the landlady, but she had the personality of someone running a pub that you’d want to return to.

    The food menu was the generic Greene King offering, but the prices were realistic and I can imagine that it’s a safe pub environment that would appeal to many customers. I’d happily return to the pub given the decor and friendly service, although I’d ideally like a wider selection of real ales.

  • Aldershot – The George

    The George is located in the centre of the town and is operated by Stonegate, probably the nearest chain there is to JD Wetherspoon in terms of prices. The interior of the pub is spacious, but it does need a refurbishment as the carpet was not inconsiderably sticky and the toilets seem to have had all the hand wash containers smashed off.

    The staff member was friendly and I liked that she was able to take an order whilst serving the previous customer, as there’s no point standing pouring one drink when you can do two. I had a half a pint of the 4.5% Hobgoblin and it tasted fine, well-kept and at the appropriate temperature.

    I like signs such as this, making clear that customers can use power sockets and using some humour to show that. And they were usefully located near to the tables and it didn’t require the unplugging of any AWP machines.

    Spacious and not particularly busy during my visit. There were menus on most of the tables and the food options looked generic, but they were keenly priced. The customer service was above average and I liked the engagement and body language of the staff, they did seem focused on the customers.

    For anyone wanting a low priced drink in the centre of the town, it’s a perfectly acceptable choice, although a refurbishment could perhaps really enhance the pub. The nearby Greene King pub has received a refurbishment and I can imagine that it’ll take some of this pub’s food trade.

    CAMRA note that Stonegate restored the pub’s original name when they completed their last refurbishment six years ago, as it had previously been known as the Goose. I agree with CAMRA that this is positive, although I’m surprised that the last renovation was as recent as six years given the look, and feel, of the carpet.

  • Aldershot – Alexandra Hotel

    Located opposite a Travelodge hotel this pub, also known as the Alex, doesn’t to my knowledge still offer accommodation. It’s a Craft Union pub, which I have to say usually isn’t always a great sign, although to be fair, some licencees have made that set-up work for them and their customers.

    The pub is named after the cinema and theatre which was once located next door to it and it is rumoured that the pub still has a ghost relating to that period. I’m unsure of how long the Alexandra has been a pub, but it dates to at least before 1870.

    The pub appeared to be very much a locals pub, but the welcome from the staff member was friendly and prompt. There were three real ales and although nothing was particularly interesting, the London Pride was well-kept and served at the appropriate temperature. And half a pint of London Pride cost £1, which seemed rather cheap, but certainly not a reason to complain.

    The pub was pretty full when I visited, which was late afternoon on a weekday, with several customers having bets on the various horse races which were being shown.

    I quite liked the pub, it was friendly and clean, with very affordable prices. I’m not sure there’s anything exceptional to tempt customers in from afar, but it’s a useful location for a drink for those staying in the hotels over the road.

  • Oxford – Chequers

    The entrance to this historic pub, via a rather atmospheric passageway.

    An informative history of the pub which gives an indication as to just how old this site is. It notes that from 1260 until 1434 the original building here was a private residence, but it was used for business purposes by a money lender, which is represented by a chequer board. It had become an inn by the first few year of the seventeenth century and there’s an interesting story on the above sign about how the inn nearly became used as a zoo. Certainly a chequered history, but pardon the pun….

    The real ale selection was adequate and the Half Mast session IPA with grapefruit and mango notes was very acceptable.

    The external courtyard, all nicely set out, although this is also the access point to the outside toilets.

    I found a 25% off food voucher on-line, so decided to go for the large fish and chips. Without being too critical, the fish was marginally over-cooked and the black carbon bits really should be removed (I did that for them before taking the photo). The tartare sauce was generic and not home-made and the mushy peas were bland, but the fish flaked apart and the batter had a pleasant taste. Given the price paid, it was perfectly reasonable given the portion size, although I do take into account the 25% off they gave in coming to that conclusion.

    It’s a Nicholson’s pub and so is part of a chain, but I’ve been in some of their pubs before and they do have some interesting historic buildings. This was no exception and there’s plenty of space, with two upstairs areas with additional seating. The staff members seemed helpful and were dealing with the number of customers efficiently, with the staff member who served the food being particularly engaging.

  • Oxford – Fir Tree

    The Fir Tree is a new addition to the Good Beer Guide, although I only noticed that from a sign which they had up outside of the pub. It’s a Greene King pub, but it doesn’t have a chain feel, but rather a quirky and independent atmosphere. It’s situated a little way out of the city centre, around a 20-minute walk, but it seemed popular with students, although the clientele was quite mixed.

    An illuminated Guinness sign with the cascading Guinness effect.

    The large collection of beer mats near to the entrance of the pub. There’s an area near to the bar for those who like to stand and drink, with a large room up a few steps and a snug like room behind that, so it is more spacious than it might at first appear.

    The selection of real ales wasn’t large, but I liked the darker beer of Intrigue from the Plain Ales brewery. It had a clean flavour and was refreshing, although it didn’t have an enormous depth of flavour or any layers of complexity about it. There was also a real cider, Old Rosie, available for those who wanted it. The pub also offers 10% off beers to members of CAMRA.

    Signs inside the pub.

    It’s rare to see Guinness crisps, and it was pleasing to note that the pub stocked these. They probably don’t need the chilli element to them, although the pub only had one pack, so it was perhaps fortunate that they weren’t too tempting.

    Service in the pub was efficient and friendly, and the range of bar snacks was quite extensive, much to my delight. The pub also accepted cards willingly and they are also seemingly known for the quality of their vegetarian Sunday roasts.

  • Newhaven – Tide Mills

    I’ve walked the Seven Sisters in East Sussex many times, although usually ending at Exceat or Eastbourne. I’d never gone into Seaford and Newhaven which are a little further along the coast, but between them is this lost village that I hadn’t previously been aware of.

    Without the information boards I wouldn’t have been any the wiser as to what the remains of the buildings were. There was a settlement which built up around the mill which was located here, and there was a relatively sizeable population by the mid-nineteenth century.

    The mill stopped operating in 1900 and this made most of the housing lived in by workers redundant. In 1936 the settlement was designated as being unfit for human habitation and in 1939 the remaining residents were told that they had to leave.

    This is part of the nurses’ home.

    The remains of the marine hospital.

    More information about the marine hospital.

    More of the marine hospital building. The buildings location by the sea isn’t helping its preservation, which is part of the reason that the settlement fell into such disrepair even when people were still living here.

    The old railway line which ran to the mill site, and there is a former railway station here which is currently being investigated as part of the archaeological dig.

    As mentioned above, there’s currently an archaeological dig taking place to try and understand more about the site, and I only had time to visit a small portion of it. However, it’s quite a large site and the remains are relatively extensive. I shall visit again and spend more time here.

     

  • Dereham – St Withburga’s Well

    This well was originally the burial place of St. Withburga, but it is said that in 974 monks from Ely took her body to be buried at Ely Cathedral. When the locals discovered that someone had pinched the saint they had happily buried in their graveyard they were rather displeased and decided to go and have a fight with the Ely monks. The fight didn’t go very well as the Dereham men got into boggy ground in Ely, so they came home. When they arrived home they found that the burial site was now full of water, and they liked this water and so it became a pilgrimage site, although it’s behind iron railings to stop people from falling into it. The water still flows today, and it remains a site that pilgrims come to visit.

    St. Withburga, or Wihtburh, died in 743 and she founded a religious house in Dereham. She was also part of the family who ran the local area and her body still remains in Ely Cathedral, although relics relating to her were mostly destroyed during the Reformation.

    The inscription on the stone reads “the ruins of a tomb which contained the remains of Wethburga, youngest daughter of Annas, King of the East Angles who died AD 654”.

    The EDP from 1896 mentions that the site of the well was once a baptistery where locals were baptised, but this was changed in 1752 when it was converted into a bath. Then in 1793, a brick bath house was built over the top and apparently one local decided to have a bath in the water every single week. He apparently lived “to a good old age”, so it didn’t do him any harm.

    The well is located just in front of St. Nicholas Church in Dereham.