Author Archives: scottspencer001

10/02/24 – Guisborough

Another bus journey from Scarborough taking me to Guisborough via Whitby. Guisborough is a historic market town with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. It is also home to the Guisborough Priory ruins which are a popular tourist attraction. Started here with a visit to the Brass Monkey Beer Boutique on the high street, before heading out to Guisborough Brewery.

09/02/24 – Whitby

A Friday visit around Whitby heading out on the X93 bus from Scarborough taking around an hour. Whitby is well known for its picturesque harbour, cliff top views and its historic abbey ruins. It is famous for its association with Captain James Cook who served his apprenticeship in the town. As well as having both Dracula and Gothic connections. Whilst here I visited a number of Micropubs, Craft Bars, Independent Pubs alongside a Brewery Tap and a Brewpub. Lots of great quirky shops and streets to explore here.

03/02/24 – Barnsley

A local trip today over to Barnsley, best known for in the 1960s where there were 70 collieries within a 15 mile radius of the town centre. Today I visited a number of Micropubs around the town starting with “The Gawber Tap” in the Gawber Area, moving into town for “Nailmaker Tap 2” and “Jolly Tap on the Arcade”, heading out again for “Tarn End Tap” and “Heaven & Ale”, and finishing in Cudworth with “Kens Cask & Keg”. Dropped into “The Old Grocers” in Pontefract on the way home.

27/01/24 – York

A trip out to York today. York is one of England’s finest and most beautiful historic cities. With Roman roots and a Viking past, York offers an eclectic mix of culture and history – with hidden gems and unique experiences around every corner. There are lots of great pubs to visit in York, too many for one day so this first trip features 16 of them and they all vary widely and offer completely different choices and experiences.

20/01/24 – Sheffield #2

Turner’s Bottle & Tap and The Bear. Woodseats area next visiting The Boston Arms, Mesters Tap and Guzzle Micropub, before heading down to Ecclesall Road and visiting The Beer House, Ecclesall Ale Club, Craft & Berry and Portland House. Dropped into The Beer Engine, Rutland Arms and Sheffield Tap on my way back into Sheffield.

29/12/23-30/12/23 – Blackpool

A couple of visits while in Blackpool over the New Year weekend for the Fylde Tramway Society’s Christmas Tour. Visited Shickers and Backstage Bar Blackpool on the Friday, and Backstage Bar Cleveleys on Saturday. Shickers I have visited a number of times in the past alongside a large number of independent bars in Blackpool and along the coast (all linked below).

11/11/23 – Hadrian’s Wall Railway Line

A Saturday out along the railway line from Hexham to Newcastle which forms part of the “Hadrian’s Wall Line” from Carlisle to Newcastle, which follows the route of Hadrian’s Wall (even though the remains are not visible from the train). Calls into several places on the route including Hexham, Corbridge, Prudhoe, Wylam and Blaydon. I have included at least one call per stop on the train whether it be Micropub, Pub or Brewery.

10/11/23 – Thornaby, Stockton, Norton, Billingham and Hartlepool

A day out running alongside the rail route from Thornaby to Hartlepool. Starting out visiting “Little Acre Micropub”, moving onto Stockton visiting “Tipsy Turtle”, “Golden Smog” and “Kopper Keg”, a short ride out to Norton calling into “Hydes Bar”, and onto Billingham for the “Village Crossing Bar” and “Crafty Cock”. The last call of the day was in Hartlepool to “Rat Race Ale House”, the first Micropub in the area.