I spent the day exploring some of Maldon’s most characterful pubs, each with its own story stretching back through the town’s history. From the centuries-old Blue Boar and The Carpenters Arms to the brewery-focused Mighty Oak Tap Room, there was plenty to discover along the way. I also called in at the welcoming Queen Victoria, the much-loved Yard, which sadly closes at the end of June, and finished at the newer Craft Beer Maldon. Along the way I enjoyed a range of well-kept ales, warm welcomes and plenty of fascinating buildings that helped make this a memorable day out.
Tag Archives: beer
18/06/26 – Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend and Upminster
I spent the day exploring Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend and Upminster, visiting a great mix of historic pubs, craft beer bars and micropubs along the way. From the waterfront charm of The Peterboat and The Mayflower in Old Leigh to newer venues such as Hopsters and Legra Tap & Kitchen, there was plenty to discover. Westcliff offered two excellent independent beer destinations in West Road Tap and Mile & a Third, while Southend’s Mawson’s Micro Pub provided a warm welcome. I finished the day at Upminster Taproom, rounding off a fantastic trip filled with good beer, friendly conversations and plenty of character.
17/06/26 – South London
I spent the day exploring South London, starting in Selsdon before making my way through Addiscombe, Beckenham, Penge, Anerley, Gipsy Hill and West Norwood, before finishing back in Croydon. Along the way I visited a fantastic mix of micropubs, taprooms, brewery bars and independent pubs, each with its own history and character. It was great to meet owners, staff and local CAMRA members who were keen to share their stories and passion for good beer. From traditional cask ale pubs to modern brewery taprooms, there was plenty of variety throughout the day, along with some excellent beers enjoyed in warm and welcoming surroundings.
13/06/26 – Doncaster and Goole
I had a day out exploring Doncaster and Goole, taking in a fantastic mix of historic pubs, brewery taps and community locals along the way. The day started in Doncaster, where I visited everything from the railway-themed Draughtsman Alehouse to the historic Little Plough and Masons Arms, alongside brewery venues such as Doncaster Brewery & Tap and Don Valley Tap. After a short train ride to Goole, I enjoyed discovering welcoming pubs, the impressive transformation of Goole Market Hall into Brew+, and the characterful Tom Pudding. Along the way I sampled some excellent cask ales, met some great people and uncovered plenty of local history.
06/06/26 – Burton Ale Trail
Today I joined the Burton Ale Trail, organised by Ian Webster, for a fantastic day exploring some of Burton upon Trent’s pubs and beer heritage. I was joined by Niall, who runs the Facebook page From Sheffield with Pubs, and it was great to spend the day chatting about pubs, history and all things beer-related. We also met up with Jenny and Kenny from Real Ale Finder at various points during the day, which made for plenty of enjoyable conversation between venues. The trail took us around a variety of pubs, each with its own character and story to tell, showcasing why Burton remains such an important town in Britain’s brewing history. With good company, interesting pubs and plenty of conversation along the way, it proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
30/05/26 – Rotherham
I spent the day exploring some of Rotherham’s independent micropubs, travelling between Waverley, Bramley, Brecks, Broom and Rawmarsh by bus. It was great to see how many former shops, offices and commercial buildings have found a new purpose as welcoming community pubs. Along the way I received some fantastic welcomes, caught up with friends old and new, and enjoyed plenty of conversation with pub owners, staff and local CAMRA members. Each venue had its own character, from modern community bars to cosy micropubs full of personality. A varied range of cask ales made the day even better, with plenty of excellent beers enjoyed throughout.
23/05/26 – Skipton
I headed over to Skipton for a brilliant day exploring the Beer Festival along with a fantastic mix of pubs and micropubs around the town. The festival inside Skipton Town Hall had a busy, friendly atmosphere with plenty of real ales, ciders, wines and a separate KeyKeg bar to enjoy. Throughout the day I visited a great range of places, from traditional Yorkshire pubs to modern bars and cosy micropubs, each with their own character. It was also lovely catching up with Colleen from Keighley & Craven CAMRA, followers Graham and Martin, plus meeting up later with Paul, Suzie, Mike and Debbie for a few more pubs around town.
13/05/26 and 16/05/26 – Margate and Westgate-on-Sea
Over the two days I headed around Margate, Cliftonville and Westgate-on-Sea with Paul, Karen, Neil and Glen, alongside meeting up with a number of people from Thanet CAMRA along the way. It turned into a brilliant couple of days exploring a real mix of micropubs, taprooms and seafront bars, each with their own character and stories behind them. From harbour views and cosy old buildings to colourful interiors packed with memorabilia, there was plenty to take in between the pubs. I enjoyed some excellent beers throughout, met lots of friendly faces and had some great conversations along the way. Overall, it was a warm, relaxed couple of days around Thanet’s pub scene.
16/05/26 – Broadstairs
I spent an afternoon in Broadstairs, heading around a mix of pubs with Neil from Neil’s Real Ale and Pub Page and Glen from Mind the Gap Micropub. I started at The Magnet before making my way to The Chapel, where it was great meeting new owner Liam and hearing more about the pub’s next chapter. From there I headed up to Mind the Gap for a catch up with Drew, before finishing at The Royston, which was packed with character, quirky décor and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the afternoon. Along the way there were some cracking beers, plenty of good conversation and a really friendly welcome everywhere we went. It all made for a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon by the coast.
15/05/26 – Gillingham, Strood, Gravesend and Chatham/Rochester
Friday took me across the Thames and Medway area, calling into a fantastic mix of micropubs, brewery taps and independent pubs in Rainham, Gillingham, Strood, Gravesend and Rochester. Along the way I caught up with plenty of familiar faces, enjoyed some great conversations and sampled a wide range of cask ales, ciders and craft beers. Each stop had its own character, from railway arches and vaulted cellars to historic timber-framed buildings and busy brewery taprooms. What really stood out throughout the day was the warm welcome everywhere I visited, with every pub offering something slightly different while still keeping that relaxed, friendly atmosphere that makes these trips so enjoyable.
Micropub Adventures 