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06/12/25 – Havering and Brentwood

A relaxed wander through Essex and London’s beer spots, starting in Upminster where the Taproom’s laid-back vibe set things off nicely. Each stop had its own personality — the friendly Hop Inn in Hornchurch, Gidea Park’s cosy front-room feel, and Brentwood’s farm brewery festival with plenty of good chat and great beer. The Peasants’ Revolt added a fun mix of history and warmth before I finally rolled into the Euston Tap, tucked inside its quirky little stone lodge. By the end, it all felt less like a planned trip and more like drifting from one good story to the next.

29/11/25 – Blackpool

I visited a handful of Blackpool’s best spots in one relaxed wander, starting at the Tipsy Seagull, a bright, easy-going little pub where it was far too simple to settle in for longer than planned. Cask and Tap was next, with its smart metallic décor and excellent choice of beers, before a quick bus ride took me to the friendly, no-frills Cask in Layton. Rhythm & Brew Room added some proper history, Raleside brought a modern feel, and Shickers Tavern kept things ticking along with live music. A stroll through Christmas By The Sea added a dose of festive warmth, and I ended the day at Albert’s Ale — cosy, characterful, and the perfect finish.

22/11/25 – Ilkeston, Heanor and Langley Mill

I kicked things off in Ilkeston, drifting between great little spots like The Burnt Pig, The Crafty One, Let It Be-Gin, Stanton Cask, Beestonia and the cosy Marlpool Ale House. After that I wandered down into Heanor for a few more laid-back micropubs, each with its own charm, before heading over to Loscoe for a pint at The Tip Inn and some top-notch fish and chips. I wrapped the day up in Langley Mill with a couple of relaxed pints to finish things off. By the end I’d happily roamed through Ilkeston, Heanor, Loscoe and Langley Mill with great beer all the way.

16/11/25 – Greggs “The Golden Flake Tavern”

The Golden Flake Tavern is Greggs’ first proper pub inside Fenwick Newcastle, blending a cosy British pub vibe with playful twists on Greggs favourites. The warm, wood-toned interior sets the scene for dishes like sausage-roll bites, bake-inspired hotpots and a quirky Sunday carvery. With exclusive beers and cocktails based on Greggs classics, it’s a relaxed, fun and surprisingly charming place to grab a bite and a drink.

15/11/25 – Berwick-Upon-Tweed

I travelled from Newcastle to Berwick with Zac for my first visit in years. I stopped at Bear Claw Brewery in Spittal, enjoying their relaxed taproom and sampling all four beers on. Back in Berwick I visited The Curfew, Atelier, Barrels Ale House, Foxtons, the Brown Bear, the Free Trade and the Pilot Inn. Each place had its own character, from historic pubs to creative modern spots, and I enjoyed a different beer in every one. It was a full, relaxed day wandering between great pubs, trying excellent ales and taking in the town’s charm. A thoroughly enjoyable trip.

14/11/25 – Gateshead and Newcastle

ChatGPT said:

I spent the day exploring pubs across Newcastle and Gateshead with Ben, Tony and Zac, starting at the Victorian Crown Posada before moving through places such as The Central Bar, Station East, The Bridge Hotel and Beer Street. Each stop offered its own charm, from restored railway arches and quirky touches to classic wood-panelled interiors and relaxed modern spaces. I tried a different beer at every venue, enjoying a wide range of cask and keg choices. We finished at the newly reopened Sandhill Arms under Wylam Brewery, ending a thoroughly enjoyable tour of some of the area’s best pubs today.

13/11/25 – Edinburgh

I spent the day hopping around some great pubs in Edinburgh, each with its own vibe. I kicked things off at Salt Horse for some laid-back craft beer, then headed to the cosy, music-filled Sandy Bell’s. Bow Bar and The Halfway House had that classic old-school Edinburgh charm, and The Jolly Judge felt like a friendly little hideaway. The Blue Blazer and The Hanging Bat mixed tradition with some cracking modern beers. After stops at the chilled-out Teuchters and the lively Fierce Bar, I wrapped things up at the grand Guildford Arms and the Café Royal. Plenty of good pints all round.

08/11/25 – Chorley and Adlington

I had a great time exploring the pubs around Chorley and Adlington. In Chorley, I dropped into spots like The Bob Inn, Flat Iron, Ben’s Tap, Shepherds Hall Ale House, Riley’s Taproom, The Shed & Garden, Baaa 38, Ronnie’s Bar, Nelipots, Inn the Dog House and Malt ’n’ Hops. Each place had its own vibe — friendly people, good beer and plenty of character. Then I headed over to Adlington, where I visited The Old Post Office, Inn the Dog House and The Retreat. Every stop was relaxed, welcoming and full of great local brews — the perfect way to spend a day out.

Birthday Adventure

🎉 Birthday Announcement & Beer-Fuelled Adventure! 🍻 It’s my birthday on 10th November, and I’ll be heading to Chorley this Saturday to celebrate in true style — with cask beer, good company and a tour of some brilliant pubs and micropubs. Over the past few years I’ve loved sharing my posts and blogs about amazingContinue reading “Birthday Adventure”

31/10/25-01/11/25 – Hull and Goole

I spent a couple of days exploring Hull’s pubs, and it was a brilliant mix of history, good beer and friendly people. From classic spots like the Alexandra Hotel to relaxed modern bars like Pave and Atom, every place had its own character. Hull’s Old Town was packed with cosy, quirky pubs, and the beer festival at the Minerva Masonic Hall was a real highlight. I tried everything from smooth bitters to fruity sours and had some great chats along the way. I wrapped things up with a visit to Tom Pudding in Goole before hopping on the famous “ghost train” home.