The Old Sod

Some of the old - some of the new
Some still existing - some long gone

Although it would certainly be a very pleasurable pursuit, indeed, I think it would be well nigh impossible to fully catalog all the public houses - past and present - in the United Kingdom and Ireland. With that in mind, I present here a selection of public houses I have been to, wish I had been to, and a few I wish I could have gone to when they were still around.
Got a photo of your favorite - your local - public house. Send it in an we will try to include it here.
Cheers,
Dave

The Perfect Pub

   At last count, in 2014 there were over 45,000 pubs in the UK, which is simply amazing. This number, however, is somewhat small when one considers that there were nearly 70,000 pubs in 1980. Still, 45,000 is a lot of pubs, and although it would be a lofty goal, it would be difficult to visit each one. Listing each UK pub, with an additional chapter for Irish pubs, is beyond the scope of this magazine. So, presented here are a few nice pubs that I have had the pleasure of visiting, or I wish I could visit. Again, I don't do negative reviews so if I didn't like the place, I won't post it here.
  Speaking of the perfect pub, there was a good essay by Harry Wallop, in a recent issue of The Telegraph, about the state of the modern day UK pub. As a comparison to early days, Mr. Wallop reprints an excerpt from an article penned by George Orwell, published in 1946, listing the author's idea of the "Perfect Pub."

George Orwell's Ideal Pub

In 1946, George Orwell, the novelist and essayist, wrote an article for the Evening Standard about his ideal pub – the fictional Moon Under Water.  For him the pub would have the following 10 attributes: 

1. On a side street, to keep out the drunks or “rowdies”. 

2. Most of the customers are regulars and “go there for conversation as much as for the beer”. 

3. Its look is uncompromisingly Victorian – “everything has the solid, comfortable ugliness of the 19th century” – and there is a log fire in winter. 

4. A dining room upstairs, where you can get a good solid lunch. Only snacks are served in the evening. 

5. Downstairs there is a public bar, a saloon bar and a ladies’ bar. 

6. No radio, no piano. It is always quiet enough to talk. 

7. The barmaids know the customers’ names and call them “dear”, but never “ducky.” 

8. It sells tobacco, stamps and even aspirin. 

9. The beer (including a “soft, creamy stout”) is always served in a glass with a handle. Ideally, a pewter or china pot. 

10. There is a garden, with a slide and swings for children. It is “puritanical nonsense” to ban children. 

He wrote, at the end of the piece, that he had only ever found a pub with eight of the 10 features.

  Reading this I particularly took note of item Number 6, relating it today to the modern television set. How many pubs and bars are overstocked with blaring TV sets. One or two set are fine, after all one must follow one’s squad, but being surrounded by shimmering screens can be a bit annoying. To tell the truth, I do like going to a BW3s every now and then, for a sporting event, and enjoy the atmosphere. But this may not always be appropriate for a cozy pub. Just my take on the subject, of course I may be wrong.

  Item Number 5 is interesting, too. A ladies bar - I am not even going to touch that one.

    My criteria for a perfect pub are quite simple: A decent variety of good beer, with a couple of cask conditioned ales to choose from, good food, and a comfortable atmosphere with friendly patrons. That's about it, actually pretty simple. When it comes to a pub, I have a fairly open mind and a broad range of acceptance. Anyway, here are a few pubs I particularly enjoyed frequenting over the years, and a few I want to frequent. Cheers!

Abingdon

If you happen to be on Facebook (oh come on now, FB can be a fun place as long as you don’t get too wrapped up in it) you should stop by this particular page: “Abingdon and Surrounding Area Facts and History.” On a regular basis they publish vintage photos of the area, oftentimes either directly or indirectly associated with MG, or in the case of this photo, local pubs. Also, oftentimes, many of the photos are from folk’s own collections, so you will get time see images that have never been seen before. Additionally, many of the posts are of Abingdon - and the area - as it is today - wonderful stuff. Anyway, I always look forward to seeing their latest post.

Cheers All!

It’s all good fun. Here’s a link.

Bishops Stortford

  For a number of years I worked near this town, and got to know a number of the local pubs. It's always nice to walk into a pub and have the barkeep know you by name. Plus, I got to enjoy a genuine pub crawl every once in a while

Brick End

Brighton

Antique Publichouses (sic) in Brighton
An article from the "Licensed Victuallers' Gazette," circa August 1892.

            At the top of Duke street, in West-street, stood a few years ago, prior to its demolition for town improvements, the Albany Tavern. This was for many years before its conversion into a publichouse [yes, all one word], the residence of John Townsend, the noted Bow-street runner, and attendant on the Prince Regent, who used frequently to pass whole days beneath his roof. Crossing over West street to the edifice by the proprietors of Creasy's Brighton Sauce, we glean that in the summer of 1793, there stood a low, rude-built hostelry, termed the Half Moon Inn; it was very prominent, and fronted down the avenue below Bunker's Hill. Mendicants, gipsies, and thieves frequented this place in the summer time, and sought sustenance farther south in the autumn. To afford better accommodation, Patching, the owner, pulled down the old fabric late in 1793, and the weather was very severe, the boulders that were used in forming the front walls of the new inn, were heated in the malt kilns of West-street Brewery; so scarce, owing to the war, was labor, that the militiamen quartered in West street barracks built up the house. The new venture did not prosper, for the migratory tribes, deeming extra impositions would be levied to recoup the owner for his outlay in building, betook themselves elsewhere. Then, from lack of custom, the license was transferred "over the way," to a smaller house, the present Half Moon Inn, kept by Mr. Johnstone, at the corner of Boyce's street, just below which, in Ashby-court, lived John Standing, for forty years a noted match vendor, better known as "Old Rosemary Lane." 
A few yards higher up West-street is the Carpenters' Arms Inn, formerly known as the Compasses. This house has, by its present occupier, been greatly improved and nearly entirely remodelled, and is much frequented by excursionists, who have naught to complain of against host Bennett's substantial courses and fine beverages. Mr. Bennett's connection as chairman of the Licensed Victuallers Society, adds additional interest to this house, the reputation of which is well worthy of its position among the inns in this historical street.
 The first tavern in Brighton was the Old Ship, King's Road, opened in 1650, and this was followed by the George Inn, West-street, by Anthony Smith, in the earlier part of Charles II's reign. In 1755, the first hotel, known as the Castle, was opened by Mr. Shergold, at the north-east end of Castle-square. It was a great success, and in 1776 the little old house was enlarged, and Messrs. Tilt and Best joined in the management, a ballroom, 35 feet high, 40 feet wide, and 86 feet long, being added, the first master of the ceremonies, Mr. Wade - on July 30th, 1805 - attending at the opening of the Grand Rose Ball, by the Prince Regent. 
On February 2nd, 1618, the following bye-law related to publicans was passed concerning the constables' duties, by the Council of Twelve. "For as-much as the town of Brightelmstone is overcharged with poor people which daily increase by means of the town folk receiving under tenants, lodging and harboring strangers, and the great increase of tippling-houses, the constable cannot without further assistance take on himself charge of all parts of the town. The multitude of poor people are thought daily to increase by means of the many alehouse keepers and victuallers who doth sell and keep ale and spirits without license. To suppress the said alehouses and victuallers, it is ordered that no one shall sell ale or spirits in this town without a testimonial or letter obtained of the constable and curate, four seamen, and two squires of the county, whereby they be lawfully licensed to sell and keep ale and spirits with the consent of the inhabitants, and every one doing contrary to the true meaning of this present order to forfeit six shillings and eight pence for every barrel of beer so drawn."
The population was then but 10,000, and there were only one constable and two headboroughs to keep order. These were discontinued in 1772.  

Castle Donington

Elsenham

Kegsworth

Little Canfield

 The brickwork on some of these old British pub fireplaces can simply be considered fine works of art. I can think of very few places I would rather be on a cold, rainy, dreary day than having a pint next to one of these fireplace. Here is just one of the fireplaces at the Lion & Lamb, in Little Canfield.  There is another one at the fat end of the room. Cheers!

London - Drury Lane

London - Greenwich

London - Hammersmith

Lynton

Molehill Green

A blurb from The Three Horseshoes pub's website: 

The Three Horseshoes is a beautiful family run pub dating back to the 16th Century and is said to the oldest building in the village. 

Legend says that the pub was originally used by royalty, highwaymen and travellers as a rest stop and up until recently, the Blacksmith opposite was still operating.

Our famous visitors are said to include the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin who had a residence in nearby Thaxted and Edward VII the then Prince of Wales on his frequent visits to see his good friend Sir Walter Gilbey at Elsenham Hall.

Nottingham

Old Milton Keynes

Southhampton