Destination Pubs - UK Edition

I wouldn't have said I have a destination pub in those words but apparently I do.

The Fox Inn, Boars Hill, Oxfordshire. I have no idea what it is like these days but it was the first pub I ever went to 55 years ago and has become sort of a poster child for the Oxford portion of my upcoming trip. I thought it was in Berkshire but I just discovered that while it was when I went there, 4 years later, boundaries were changed and it's been in Oxfordshire since.

for those who don't know, Greene King, based in Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk but owned in Hong Kong, is one of the major breweries in the UK. It has 3,100 tied pubs, restaurants and hotels so I wonder if their list, seperate from Jay MN's might be a tad biased? Just wondering....

Over decades of UK sojourns:

The White Cross in Richmond
The Dove in Hammersmith
Angel and The Crown in Richmond
Anchor and Hope on the Riverside ( believe it’s presently closed for refurbishment )
Haven Arms Ealing
The Mitre Richmond ( best pub dog, Rudi )
The George and Devonshire Chiswick
The Kings Head Pub Acton
The Victoria East Sheen
The Victoria Paddington
The Mitre Lancaster Gate
The Sun Inn Barnes
The Eight Bells Putney Bridge
The Anchor Tap near Tower Bridge
The Blackfriar ( art deco gem across the road from Blackfriar station )
The Mayflower in Rotherhithe
The Antelope in Belgravia
The Red Lion down the Crown Passage
The Seven Stars by the Royal Courts of Justice. Best pub cat

The Albion Islington
The Prince Arthur Hackney
The Prince Albert Twickenham

One would think I’m a sot. Not the case. Pubs are great places to rest a tired back, meet friends, enjoy a pint, have a meal and, if needed, visit the loo. And I did say decades of sojourns.

Love staying in different neighborhoods. Provides a glimpse into daily life far from the madding crowds of central London. Riding the tube or taking a bus provides that opportunity. So does exploring by walking.

An article published by The Telegraph claiming the English county with the best pubs.....

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/05d1ea40bbef7a85

Stellar article JC. Thanks for sharing.

I'll add The Spaniards Inn near Hampstead Heath (great for hikes). Venerable old place serving good food and drink. Wonderful for lunch if you are visiting The Kenwood House nearby.

This is a fun thread, though I find a certain irony in the website that started the discussion. I would never identify a Greene King pub as a destination of any kind, simply because I've never tasted a Greene King beer or ale that I liked.

In my own case, I choose pubs mostly on the basis of their taps: a good variety and at least one good IPA. Because ultimately I'm visiting in order to have a pint or three. I've found the chain pubs that most appeal to me are Fuller's, Samuel Smith, Wetherspoon and Brewdog. But if one can find a truly independent pub with a good selection of brews, that's heaven! The Red Lion in Liverpool is a highly recommended example. And brewpubs who serve beers and ales they make on-property are also a treat. Examples: Black Isle in Inverness and the St Andrews Brewing Company.

By the way, Wetherspoon almost always serves the least expensive beer in whatever city you're visiting, and the food is inexpensive and decent almost always. Some people avoid them because of the politics of their ownership, but they offer outstanding value.

jphbucks's mention above of Brewdog.

Some may not have seen the big trouble they are in. The BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmw0mmxpjlo had this story about their pub closures a week or so ago....

There have been stories elsewhere too...

Well, my list, at least for London, would be long. But what attracts me to a pub is first the beer, second the history or decor, and third, the food.

I am with a few others, Green King pubs are OK, but limited as to beer, and the food is just OK, so the history (or a long walk to another pub) would have to tip the scale for me to set foot in one.

Someone mentioned Weatherspoon, have to say, I pretty much avoid them. Some have some decent beer, but usually not. The food and beer is certainly cheaper, but it should be for the quality. On rare occasion they are in a grand old property, but not really "destination" worthy, but more cold lager and a cheap (well cheaper) sandwich or bite.

Wetherspoons would be nowhere near a list of destination pubs for me. Firstly because of the owner but also the food is truly execrable - it’s just microwaved rubbish. The only conceivable saving grace is that the pubs often have fine names celebrating local celebrities or landmarks, such as the Sir Henry Tate near me in Chorley - yes, the Tate of Tate & Lyle and the Tate galleries.

I also can’t square the idea of destination pubs with Greene King establishments. Mostly of a muchness, average beer, average food, just plain average.

The Telegraph article on pubs in Staffordshire was excellent and rightly celebrated the pubs of Stoke-on-Trent. Unless you are into pottery it won’t be on anyone’s tourist radar, UK or overseas tourist. I have had the joy of spending several nights in and around the area on account of having a canal narrowboat. To add to the list of pubs in the article I must add the brilliant (and wonderfully named) Holy Inadequate in Stoke and mention the Blue Bell in nearby Kidsgrove. The Anchor at High Offley, which is mentioned in the article but deserves every mention it can get as a completely unique establishment. And I would have had the Black Horse at Consall Forge, until fairly recent times only accessible by boat or steam train but I don’t think it’s recovered from a serious fire.

Well away from Staffordshire I could also mention Ty Coch in Gwynedd in North Wales, in a stunning beachside location and to which you have to make a 10-15 minute walk. A couple of foodie pubs worth a mention near me - the Parker’s Arms in Newton-in-Bowland and the White Swan at Fence, which has a Michelin star but at which you can still get a pint of Timothy Taylor’s beers.

Please no one mention the bloody Farmer’s Dog on this thread.

Blue Anchor - Helston.
Turks Head - Penzance.

Craven Arms, Appletreewick (Yorkshire Dales)
Locals, travelers, and well-behaved terriers.

There is lot of snobbishness surrounding Weatherspoons pubs. They are what they are and don't pretend to be anything they are not. They almost invariably have a good range of well kept beer at affordable prices, more often than not in unique or impressive surroundings.

I'm not claiming their food is the best, it is not, far from it. But one can't overlook the price and they quite literally do what they say on the tin and their is often decent and value for money. In fact their curries are well regarded by some. Here is a balanced and unfiltered review of Weatherspoons meals as it happens, breakfast, lunch and evening meal at different pubs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSqjICMfQSI

As to pubs worthy of a visit, destination or otherwise.

Peveril of the Peak, Britons Protection and the Temple in Manchester along with The Head of Steam and The Kings Head both on Huddersfield Station and the Sheffield Tap on Sheffield Midland Station. The country is full of such fine establishments and it could be an endless list.

as Huddersfield is mentioned - anything down Holmfirth way and into the northern Peak District?

The thing about Wetherspoons is that they more often than not take over old buildings and very sympathetically convert them. There is interpretative material both in the pub and on their website which explains and celebrates the building history and it's role in the history of that town.
Some larger sites also have hotels in them - a clear step up from Premier Inn but at the same price point.

There are now quite a lot of good pubs at Railway stations - way too numerous to list here.

In the Lake District (or the edge of it) there was the State Management Scheme. In WW1 there was the huge armaments depot at Gretna (The Devil's Porridge).

Due to the huge influx of workers the government nationalised the breweries and pubs in Carlisle and Gretna, and remained so until 1973.
After the war several dozen pubs were built, each very distinctive.
They are destinations in their own right, not only for their architecture, but also their history. There is actually a trail around the surviving ones.
There were similar schemes at Invergordon (Scotland) and Enfield (London) but both ended around 1919/1920 so don't have the same legacy.

The Devil's Porridge exhibition, just outside Gretna, is also very worth while visiting, only just off the M74/

Its a while since I have been, but the Magic Rock Tap and the Box Office (part of the Picturedrome) were always decent places in Holmfirth.

Not Holmfirth, but the The Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsden is a cracker as too are the Rose and Crown and Little Bridge, both those are in Slaithwaite however. I would prefer those over the ones in Holmfirth if one is willing to spread their wings a bit.

A lot a great stuff here, although I am a bit surprised of some of the Greene King opinions. To Nigel’s point on Greene Kings being a conglomerate of Hong Kong investors, they are definitely spending as I simply asked the Google machine what the definition of Destination Pub is to compare with my own and Greene King and their deep wallet placed itself first in line. I personally find Greene King pubs as hit or miss.

Well, my list, at least for London, would be long. But what attracts me to a pub is first the beer, second the history or decor, and third, the food.

I agree with Paul on what draws me to the pubs. While I am mindful of the Wetherspoons owner and consider not giving him my money, I must admit I do sometimes hit those pubs as they often occupy large, beautifully converted buildings and consistently have the widest selection of real ale. (I agree the food is rubbish based on my experience). Wetherspoon’s typical larger size also allows for a quick and free bathroom breaks. When I am with my wife and her tiny bladder, Wetherspoons is the potty break place. (Don’t tell the owner). Conversely, Samual Smith has good quality beer and often occupies beautiful buildings with a long history (Cittie of Yorke in London for example), yet, when I do hit Samual Smith pubs, I often note they have just one or two ales on offer. Good quality but I like having at least 5 or 6 options.

I also reviewed Claudia’s list and can say I have been to 14 of the 22 she listed. I will be returning to London in a couple weeks and will try to hit a few more of yours, Claudia. I will revisit this thread and keep looking for everybody’s favorites.

Bonus Question: I have 5 days in Whitby on my itinerary. I have a list of pubs in the area on my list to consider visiting but if anyone has recommendations in that area, please shout them out.

There are also some problematic issues with Samuel Smiths. They sit on magnificent properties and sites for years and years without developing them or selling them on.

Just that I’m aware of near where I live, they have owned an important old school building in Bath for over 30 years without developing it. They also own a prime vacant site on the Bristol Harbourside which again, they won’t sell or develop.

Hi Nigel, my brother lives on the outskirts of Holmfirth, in the always amusingly named Upper Thong.
I spoke to him and he recommends in Holmfirth:

O’Briens and Magic Rock for craft ales. The Nook for, and I quote, ‘a dirty, trad old pub’
Oscar’s is good for cocktails and Jacob’s for Sunday lunch.
For food Lou and Joe’s does good burgers and Coopers Yard has a few food stalls (smokehouse, Indian and greekish)

He also recommends Slaithwaite for nice cafes and shops. There is a walk along the canal from Slaithwate to Zapatos that does craft ales and has food trucks at the weekend.

It’s a very nice area

As a US tourist, my criteria for a pub is history and decor first, second the music, third the food, forth the beer. I'm an older woman who travels solo is and a half-pint is my limit. I will take a half pint in any pub that is old or historic and has some authentic features or has good music. I will eat there if the daily pies have real crusts on them, not that awful puff pastry stuff slapped on top. Extra points if they contain or are served with vegetables.

My recommendation is, any and all pubs in Dolgellau, Wales during the Sesiwn Fawr. I bought the souvenir cup and purchased a cheap half pint in every pub in town. Stayed for the music, discretely poured any beer I didn't love into a street drain. The pub you have to see there is Torrent Walk, though any pub that people over 5 feet have to duck to get into is worth a stop. I wanted a small musical festival last summer and I hit gold with this one. Attended a concert in the church and the musicians led an encore with a traditional hymn. The audience sang all four verses in beautiful 4 part harmony. Stunning.

Thanks very much Emma and Laughing Spam Fritter

Ammo for a Last if the Summer Wine location hunt.

Nigel, The actors who played Compo and Clegg are buried side by side in Upper Thong church yard, if that is of interest? :-)

Emma/Laughing Spam Filter: Is Holmfirth worth visiting? Magic Rock is one of my favorite breweries in England and I was planning to hit their complex in Huddersfield, but it recently closed.

I like it. The town centre is small but pretty, with a range of small shops, bars etc.
Lots of good walks in the area around the reservoirs and on the moors.
It does have quite a few tourist visitors, daytrippers etc but it is still a place where people actually live, with a community feel.

If you are into music the Picturedrome gets some good acts. A lot of bands seem to use it as a practise venue before going on tour.

buried side by side in Upper Thong church yard

thanks - I did know that but many won't.

We watch the show through all 266 episodes over and over, usually half an episode each night before bed (better than Horlicks). Coincidentally, we are getting close to the end again and tonight it was the turn of It's Never Ten Years marking 10 years since the joint death of Compo and the actor who played him, Bill Owen. Then again the writer, Roy Clarke, and the producer and director, Alan J. W. Bell, got their maths wrong and 10 years isn't quite right...

ooops ... rabbit hole alert!!!

sooory

"Magic Rock is one of my favorite breweries in England and I was planning to hit their complex in Huddersfield, but it recently closed."

Complex is a bit of a stretch, it was a 1980s unit on an industrial estate that had a small space set aside for drinking, that was only open Friday's and Saturday evenings.

A far better bet would be the Sportsman less than 5mins walk from the station or a bit further in the other direction is the Grove, both traditional real ale pubs. If you are wiling to hop on a bus for 10 minutes there is Udders Tap Room a micro brewery for cider and perry in Lindley and few minutes walk down the road from there is the Lindley Tap a proper old fashion Yorkshire boozer.