A Guide to British Pubs – A Real Taste of British Life
The following is a guest post from Jessica at www.moneysupermarket.com:
Britain is renowned for its pubs they are an integral part of British life. There are over 57,000 pubs in Britain today and they are all uniquely different. The British pub is much more than a drinking venue; it is the centre of the community and provides locals with a meeting place and entertainment. There are many styles of pubs in Britain from the traditional country pub with original features and open fires to city centre pubs with modern interiors and a wine bar atmosphere.
It is possible to find a wide range of pubs in city centre locations not too far from tourist attractions. Many cities contain traditional old pubs housing features like wooden carved bars that are hundreds of years old, and original beams in the ceiling. However it is worth venturing out on the cities to the smaller towns and villages to get a taste of what a real local British pub is like. Many are traditional in décor and date back hundreds of years, but it is not the features that make these pubs popular it is the atmosphere. They all have local residents who visit the pub most evenings it is quite often these people who will provide the entertainment from story telling to playing musical instruments. The atmosphere of pubs in Britain does vary some are very welcoming and you will get a real taste of what it is like to be a local whereas other can seem unwelcoming and intimidating to outsiders.
Most of Britain’s pubs serve food however their offerings can vary from sandwiches to À la carte meals. In recent years many ‘gastropubs’ have emerged these are pubs that concentrate on providing quality food while offering British pub culture. These pubs serve very high quality food but have been criticised for removing the traditional pub characteristics. Many British pubs offer traditional ‘pub grub’ such as pies, fish and chips and Sunday roasts. These pub meals are usually priced reasonably and the portions are very generous. It is possible to save money when eating in British pubs through the use of vouchers. Many pubs all over Britain run voucher schemes where you can get up to 50% off a meal or a free drink or two.
There are many pubs that claim to be Britain’s oldest pub Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans currently holds the Guinness world record for Britain’s oldest pub and dates back to the 11th century. The title for Britain’s smallest pub is also debated however the Guinness world record holder for Britain’s smallest pub is The Nutshell in Suffolk measuring just 5 metres by 2 metres.
There is such a variety of pubs in Britain you are bound to experience many types when you visit. One thing is for sure the British pub offers an experience of British culture and community and will give you a real taste of British life.
Written by Jessica Bourne
I like the fighting cocks in St Albans….often sit outside for a couple of drinks with friends on a summer afternoon, after a walk through Verulam park x
Comment by Emma — July 31, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Nice article about the importance of the British Pub. The writer Hilaire Belloc once said ‘when you have lost your inns drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of England.’
My favourite Yorkshire pub (that I dearly wish was over here in Perth) is the Elephant and Castle in Wakefield.
By the way “Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem” also claims to be Britain’s oldest pub – I don’t knwo who is right though!
Gareth
Comment by Gareth — August 1, 2010 @ 7:13 am
Interesting post. Sadly the number of pubs in the UK is declining and big breweries are taking over many.
Comment by Gail — August 2, 2010 @ 9:48 am
I love this site. I have never been an expert on something, (anything!) before but here I am given a head start by being British and then you come up with a subject about which I feel I can offer more than a point or two!
If you are visiting the UK and want to experience a traditional pub then the chances are that you have an image in your head of what that is. I am willing to bet that it bears more than a passing resemblence to this description:
- Tudor beams blackened by age
- Roaring log fire
- Low oak beams and ceilings yellowed by centuries of smoke
- Pewter tankards hanging behind the bar
- Frothing home brewed ale
- Convivial chat
The good news is that such places do exist. The bad news is that they are an endangered species and are very difficult to find by accident. If you take pot luck with pubs there is a high probability that you will find that it is full of teenagers playing loud fruit machines which they cant hear because of the deafening music. There will be few seats because the breweries want as many of their, preferably, teenage clientele standing as possible because they drink more and can jam more customers in.
It would be largely pointless for me to make recommendations because so much depends on where you are staying. the message is – do some research. Oh, and if you are visiting South London or Sussex or Kent then mail me.
Comment by Bill P — August 5, 2010 @ 6:57 pm