After the humiliation of being out-pubbed by BRAPA last month, March saw 43 new Beer Guide pubs in 16 different counties, finishing off East Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, and getting close to clearing Somerset. No trip to Stockport in March, clearly an oversight. The Offerton Stagger in May looks unmissable; as you will know I love… Continue reading MARCH STOCKTAKE

I don’t make the train journey to Kings Cross anything like I used to have to, so I really appreciate a more leisurely exploration of ever-changing WC1. My pre-journey drink always used to be the Chinese tea in Chop Chop Noodles across the road, as Craft Islington and the Queen’s Head were a few minutes too far.… Continue reading SCOTTISH STORES, KING’S CROSS

Taylor’s Independent Testing Service made its annual trip to the mystic lands between SE15 and SE12 yesterday, the Super Off-Peak rates winning against the deterrent of Storm Katie. Luckily kick-off at the New Den was put back too, those Burton fans are scary. I will admit to still getting my Peckhams, Deptfords and Catfords a… Continue reading PEELING PAINT AND PALE ALE IN PECKHAM

Middlesbrough is only a three hour drive from Cambridge.  Speaking to folk here you’d think it was a different country or something.  It takes two hours to get to Blakeney on the Norfolk coast. Some members of our family can’t last three hours though, and need a stop on the A1.  I wrote last year… Continue reading SOUTH WITHAM’S BLUE COW – AN A1 STOP

When we were in Glossop last year I confused Seaton Carew with Seaton Sluice, and proclaimed the former one of the UK’s great beauty spots. The chap who originated from Carew was bewildered, and I promised I’d visit his hometown and write about it. The Sluice (below) wins this contest, but Carew is a pretty… Continue reading SEATON CAREW AND A YEARNING FOR WORKIE TICKET

From nowhere, Middlesbrough is a major pub destination.  It’s not just Mrs RM and I who can attest to this extraordinary transformation; read Simon’s report here first. The town has a challenging reputation nationally, although frankly I’ve never noticed the famous smog or the late night anti-social behaviour.  This won’t be a popular view but… Continue reading MIDDLESBROUGH – THANET WITH PARMOS

Redcar hasn’t had the best of times lately with the closure of Teesside Steel and other sad news this week.  It’s also been some way down the list as far as visitors to the North Yorkshire coast are concerned. It has numerous merits though.  The beach is wonderful, the walks into the foothills of the… Continue reading REDCAR – NOT A DYING EMBER