On a windy, rainy, March day, there might be nothing better than a visit to an English pub. It can warm you up and cheer the day.
A pub in Charlestown, Cornwall. Photo by me
Most likely there is a fire in a corner of the room somewhere…at the very least, a heated discussion at the bar about the latest football match (our soccer).
A country pub in Castle Combe. Photo by me
A pub is one of my favorite places to eat. They usually have a huge menu with lots of choices, both healthy and otherwise, and if nothing else, I can get a warm jacket potato (baked potato) with baked beans and cole slaw. These pubs are cozy and usually “Cheap and Cheerful”, as the British say…a social gathering place as well as a place to eat or grab a drink.
The “High” Street in Burnham has several pubs up and down. Many Brits have their particular favorites, or “local”. Photo by me
And there is almost always someone you know if it’s your “local”. Rather like Cheers, UK style.
Southwold is a brewery town (Adnams Brewery-we did the tour), and has many, many pubs at the edge of the sea in eastern England. Photo by me.
I remember growing up in New York and there was an American version of the English pub in every town, or town center.
The pub at the Broadway Hotel in the Cotswolds…a modern twist on a classic Inn. Photo by me
The front room would have the bar and most likely a dart board. The back — the family dining room, often with great inexpensive Italian food.
A city pub in Bath,England with a great restaurant upstairs. Photo by me
It’s much the same in England, although the front room bar serves the pint of beer warm, the dining/family area most likely serves fish and chips and gammon (ham) and chips (fries), and there almost alway is a karaoke night.
A friendly pub lunch stop we made while touring Norfolk area of England between country estate house tours. Photo by me.
If weather permits, there is also usually a beer garden with tables and space for the children to run around.
There is usually space outside to sit. Hunstanton, Norfolk, England. Photo by me
We are always amazed to see people outside on a chilly grey day sitting in the garden.
A pub on the water in Fowey, Cornwall with great fish and chips. And mushy peas! Photo by me
One pub I remember even had a room upstairs with a bouncy castle. This definitely is a family affair in England.
A pub in the Lake District on our way to Scotland. Photo by me
The interesting thing is that the social dynamics are very similar to what I remember from New York.
In Essex, our last stop to meet friends before heading to Heathrow. Photo by me
One night sitting in a pub waiting for dinner to come with My Beloved Brit and cousins in Cornwall on the Southwest coast, we watched as the ladies came in and stood at one end of the room, and the men came in and stood at the other.
The White Hart in Burnham. A popular place to meet. Photo by me
By the time we finished dinner, and a few pints later, the two sides had begun to talk to each other, and it might just prove to be an eventful night.
A London pub at Happy Hour. Photo by me
Of course we elders were gone way too early to really see all the excitement. When the music started, it was time to make our exit.
By far, one of the BEST parts about visiting any city or village in the UK. There is a always a nice, cozy pub, which means a place to really connect with the locals and reflect on your experiences in and outside of those walls. Hotel bars are kinda fun too, but for the diversity rather than the locals. 🙂
Absolutely!