17/04/24 – Walmer, Deal and Sandwich

Started the day in Walmer, which is the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Walmer has a long history of fishing, smuggling and rescuing sailors. Visited “The Freed Man” Micropub here. I headed up next to Deal, this was once the busiest port in England but now is a popular seaside resort. “Just Reproach” was the Micropub I visited here. The coast of France is approximately 25 miles from Deal and can be seen on a clear day. I finished off in Sandwich, which is home to nature reserves and two world-class golf courses, Royal St George’s and Prince’s. “Time & Tide Brewery” have a taproom here which I visited.

16/04/24 – Margate

Today takes me to Margate, what was once a small fishing village, was transformed into a popular seaside resort. I am visiting 6 different pubs whilst in Margate today. I started with “The Harbour Arms” on the pier head before moving onto “XYLO Brewery”, “Two Halves”, “The Fez” and “xxxx”. I finished with “Ales of the Unexpected” located the other side of the railway station.

16/04/24 – Herne Bay

Tuesday took me to Herne Bay. A lovely seaside town on the Kent coast. Herne Bay is home to the worlds first freestanding purpose-built Clock Tower which was built in 1837. And its pier in the late Victorian period through to 1978 was the second longest in the UK. Here I visited “Beer on the Pier”, followed by 4 Micropubs, these being “Parkerville”, “The Firkin Frog”, “The Pub” and “The Bouncing Barrel”.

06/04/23 – Cleckheaton and Wakefield

Started my day in Cleckheaton, a town in the Heavy Wollen region of West Yorkshire that became well known for it production of heavy woollen cloth. Started here by visiting Steve at Mill Valley Brewery before heading into town to visit 4 more pubs. A bus onto Wakefield, known for being the birthplace of world-renowned sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Also being well known for coal mining, rhubarb and its cathedral. Lots of great pubs were visited here working from one end to the other.

29/03/24-31/03/24 – Newcastle-Under-Lyme and Wolstanton

For my 4 day trip around Staffordshire I was based at The Borough Arms in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Over 3 evenings I visited a number of micropubs, traditional pubs and craft bars in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and Wolstanton. Newcastle-Under-Lyme features The Hopwater Cellar, Bridge Street Ale House, Ten Green Bottles, Mellards, Crossways, The Crows Nest, Boat & Horses, Castletown Distillery, Cask Bar & Kitchen, Hopinn and The Greyhound. Wolstanton features The Whippet Inn, 4 Candles and The Archer.

29/03/24 and 31/03/24 – Tutbury & Hatton to Stoke-on-Trent by Train

My day today takes me out to Tutbury & Hatton by train from Stoke/on-Trent and working back calling off at Uttoxeter, Blythe Bridge and Longton. Started the day at Stoke-On-Trent visiting “bod” which is located on the Railway Station. 3 pubs in Tutbury, “The Hourglass”, “Cask & Pottle” and “New Inn”. Uttoxeter started with visiting “Night Inn” run by Uttoxeter Brewery, and onto Micropub “Horse & Dove”. Onto Blythe Bridge to visit “Crossways Micropub”, the tap for Peakstone Rocks Brewery. Longton next to visit “The Strand” and a bus out to nearby Meir to visit “Swiftys”.

30/03/24-31/03/24 – Burslem, Hanley, Stoke, Hartshill and Etruria

My first call of the day after jumping on the number 3 bus from Hanley Bus Station is to “The Bulls Head” in Burslem. This pub acts as Titanic Brewery’s Tap and was the first pub that they opened. The pub itself is thought to have been built around 1832, and Titanic Brewery running the pub for over 30 years. A great central bar with a room either side and a large outdoor seating area at the back of the pub.

28/03/24 – Stafford and Stone

The start of a 4 day trip to Staffordshire. I started today in Stafford, a stop on the West Coast Mainline from Glasgow to London Euston. Visited some traditional style pubs alongside a couple of new craft bars. I then got the train to Stone, a lovely canal town. Some more great bars here aswell as visiting “The Borehole”, home of Lymestone Brewery.

23/03/24 – Rawtenstall and Burnley

My day today takes me to Rawtenstall and Burnley. Meeting up with both “Bearded Biker on Beer” and Sean and Ruth from “Brid’s Cross Brewing”, and Kinsey joining us later on. After a train journey to Burnley Manchester a short bus ride to Rawtenstall, at the centre of the Rossendale Valley. Visiting 5 awesome Micropubs, Craft Bars and Brewery Taps in this town before heading slightly out to nearby Waterfoot to visit “Whitewell”. From here I took the short bus journey back into Burnley which was famous for its Mill-Engines and the Burnley Loom was recognised as one of the best in the world. Here I visited another 4 brilliant Micropubs and Craft Bars.