The English pubs, inns and bars are an institution in themselves, and the local people are very proud of them. Their history, their quirky names, the drinks they serve, as well as the err… food has loyal followers. During my year-long stay in London, I visited quite a few of them and, in the process, developed a love-hate relationship with them.
I love their exteriors (bright electric blue, red, yellow, black), their quirky names (how about The Slug and the Lettuce), and the history that many of them have, but don’t really care much for what they serve. That’s because I hate the smell of beer, ale, etc. and don’t eat non-vegetarian good. And the less said about the vegetarian food served in such places, the better. The worst meal that I can ever remember having was at an inn in Kent—a pumpkin risotto (kaddu ka khichdi for you and me) garnished with blue cheese and pine nuts. Aargh !!!! However, the soups served in such places are hearty and to die for. Not surprisingly, one of my best meals has also been at an inn (The Waffles Inn at St. Albans) where I had mixed vegetable soup with bread and lots of butter. Mmmm…
So presenting the side of pubs, inns and bars that I like. While I remember where most of them are located, my apologies for those that I don’t.
The foundations of 'Ye Olde Fighting Cocks' at St. Albans date back to the year 793. This inn claims to be the oldest public house in England and to have sheltered Oliver Cromwell for one night during the Civil War.
Ye Olde Watling in Central London. Christopher Wren, who was responsible for building 52 churches after the great fire of London in 1666, also built 4 pubs. Only the pub in the picture survivesThe White Hart, near Globe Theatre in London, was the first pub that I photographed. The beige and sage green colour combination is so beautifulAt first glance, The Anchor, near Southwark Cathedral in London, appears quite forbidding. Then one notices the gleaming brass anchor, the flowers on the window sills, the laughter and the music, and suddenly the place seems so much differentThe Shipwright's Arms is located near the London Bridge StationThe Albany, Great Portland Street, LondonThis is my favourite photograph. I just love the bright blue exteriors of this bar and cafe, which is located somewhere in LondonThe George or George Inn was established somewhere in the medieval period in Southwark, LondonThe 5 'o' clock pint at the Crown & Anchor, London, before heading homeThe Haunch of Venison in Salisbury has a bar on the ground floor and a restaurant on the first floor. It is considered to be the oldest in this cathedral town with first records appearing in 1320The Six Bells at St. AlbansThe Chaser Inn, somewhere in Kent. Yes, this is the same place that I had kaddu ki khichdi 😛The Cricketers at Richmond. It was only 11.00 in the morning and this trio of friends were seriously discussing, you guessed right, cricket with a glass of their favourite tipple!
The photographs of English pubs, inns, bars and cafes here are only a sample from my collection on the same theme. I had a tough time choosing a selection for this post, as most of these places are charming, full of character and attitude and a great place for people watching, and of course your favourite drink 😀
Fantastic photos! The pubs were my favorites when I visited England (and I’m not talking about the drinks!). I also like to see the pub names in various television shows – Masterpiece Mystery! on PBS shows some unique names in its Misomer Murder series, and then there’s always The Pale Horse of Agatha Christie fame!
I just spent the weekend in Hollister, Missouri USA, and visited The Black Horse Pub (latest post) http://ourlifeonthelane.wordpress.com
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for stopping by and commenting 🙂 Do you know that I actually looked for The Pale Horse, but only ended up finding The Slug and the Lettuce 😦
Now heading over to read your blog.
The blue one is my favourite too. Photographing pubs was never a project; I dicovered only much later—when I was cataloguing the digital images—that I realised how many I had. Most of the photographs were taken just because I liked the setting or the history or the name. 🙂
Welcome to my blog, Saru, and thank you for stopping by and commenting. I love the colours of the White Hart, that’s what made me photograph it in the first place.
You pretty much hit the nail on the head in explaining pubs etc. Unfortunately most of these places are slowing decreasing as the more up market inner city clubs grow.
Welcome to my blog and thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. Its sad to hear that such places are decreasing; as I feel an entire narrative will end with these pubs, inns and bars.
Just the perfect way to start the day…
The pictures are lovely, the names are quaint,
they revive some memories, albeit faint..
I am no connoisseur of alcoholic drinks
and except veggies all food makes me wince..
Yet the charm of an afternoon or
late in the evening, sometime,
i can imagine sitting inside
surrounded by the aromas of
laughter and food..
with clinking glasses to set the mood
for a precious time with friends
who share little snippets of their
worries and cares
which then slowly waft away
and perfect shall be the end to the day
I loved the blue one. It has a very bright and cheerful exterior. Also, blue is my favourite colour.
Each and every pub is charming in its own way. A few of them are pretty old and their historical significance is pretty interesting too. Nice post 🙂
It’s unbelievable the amount of character and attitude each one of these pubs and inns and bars have. They may belong to a common category, but each one of them are like individuals.
Oh that they are 🙂 Besides the architecture and colours, I loved their names, even though I couldn’t really understand why anyone would name their place “The Slug and the Lettuce” :-p
Thanks Umashankar. The English pubs, bars and inns are a class apart and till I wrote this post I didn’t realise what fun I had documenting them ! So when you visit England, apart from the mandatory touristy stuff, this is something you must look out for as well 😀
All the pubs, bars and inns are so lovely. Excellent photos! The profusion of flowers with their riot of colours just adds to the grandeur and quaintness of the structures. To me they look so cheerful and welcoming. I definitely want to go for a tipple to any one of these places for the sheer joy of experience. Blue is my favourite colour. I also somehow liked The Six Bells. All I need is a horse and buggy and what a White Christmas will that be!!!!
thanks Sudha for the eye capturing pictures…..I enjoyed all the pictures, but the Blue Hart (you know why) and the Shipwrights Arms are the ones I liked the best…the combination of colors and the setting make it look so attractive! The names are a real treat to read at the end of the day, rather week! They make you smile or even chuckle! I loved your blog.
By the way, the kaddu ki kichidi sounds fun, I quite like blue cheese and pine nuts….must try them if I get a chance 😉
Hey Jayess, seeing you here after ages. Hope you’ll visit more often 🙂 And yes, I’m sure you would have enjoyed the kaddu ka khichdi. You and my brother both. He for the kaddu and you for the blue cheese and pine nuts 😛
I drank to my hearts content from your blog what beautiful places to go to for a visit over a glass of beer one can chat with strangers & make friends. beautiful collection
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Fantastic photos! The pubs were my favorites when I visited England (and I’m not talking about the drinks!). I also like to see the pub names in various television shows – Masterpiece Mystery! on PBS shows some unique names in its Misomer Murder series, and then there’s always The Pale Horse of Agatha Christie fame!
I just spent the weekend in Hollister, Missouri USA, and visited The Black Horse Pub (latest post) http://ourlifeonthelane.wordpress.com
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Welcome to my blog, and thank you for stopping by and commenting 🙂 Do you know that I actually looked for The Pale Horse, but only ended up finding The Slug and the Lettuce 😦
Now heading over to read your blog.
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I liked the Blue one. It looked like a perfect place to relax.
Nice pictures and interesting project of yours…filming pubs. 🙂
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The blue one is my favourite too. Photographing pubs was never a project; I dicovered only much later—when I was cataloguing the digital images—that I realised how many I had. Most of the photographs were taken just because I liked the setting or the history or the name. 🙂
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Each of them has a character of it’s own. I like the White Hart…:) Nice concept…
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Welcome to my blog, Saru, and thank you for stopping by and commenting. I love the colours of the White Hart, that’s what made me photograph it in the first place.
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You pretty much hit the nail on the head in explaining pubs etc. Unfortunately most of these places are slowing decreasing as the more up market inner city clubs grow.
Love the pictures
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Welcome to my blog and thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. Its sad to hear that such places are decreasing; as I feel an entire narrative will end with these pubs, inns and bars.
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Just the perfect way to start the day…
The pictures are lovely, the names are quaint,
they revive some memories, albeit faint..
I am no connoisseur of alcoholic drinks
and except veggies all food makes me wince..
Yet the charm of an afternoon or
late in the evening, sometime,
i can imagine sitting inside
surrounded by the aromas of
laughter and food..
with clinking glasses to set the mood
for a precious time with friends
who share little snippets of their
worries and cares
which then slowly waft away
and perfect shall be the end to the day
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Wah Deepa wah. Your comments are always better than the actual post itself 🙂
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🙂 What you look for is what you see
but this post is one of the best, honestly !
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Thanks, Deepa 🙂
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I loved the blue one. It has a very bright and cheerful exterior. Also, blue is my favourite colour.
Each and every pub is charming in its own way. A few of them are pretty old and their historical significance is pretty interesting too. Nice post 🙂
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The blue is my favourite too. I had awesome hot apple cider there 🙂
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There are some really nice images in this post, loved them. A very well written and informative post. 🙂
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Shaan. I’m glad that like the post and pictures. 🙂
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Unfortunately, I am under 18 and can’t enjoy any of these pubs.
But, the pictures are beautiful!
And, it’s written very well, too..
Promoted! 🙂
Please read my post & promote- The Tablet Revolutionary
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Welcome to my blog Yash and thank you so much for stopping by and commenting and promoting it.
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This is a good one, the old world charm of English pubs! You said it right, they are full of character and attitude.
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It’s unbelievable the amount of character and attitude each one of these pubs and inns and bars have. They may belong to a common category, but each one of them are like individuals.
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Gorgeous ! Hope I can visit one day. These photos are just inspiring
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And I hope that you can visit these places and pubs too one day. Thank you for stopping by and commenting 🙂
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I agree 100%
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Some amazing pictures there Sudha. And so varied in landscape.
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Oh that they are 🙂 Besides the architecture and colours, I loved their names, even though I couldn’t really understand why anyone would name their place “The Slug and the Lettuce” :-p
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Excellent photographs with riveting narration to match. Yes, I am bowled over by those names, especially, the first two Ye Olde things!
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Thanks Umashankar. The English pubs, bars and inns are a class apart and till I wrote this post I didn’t realise what fun I had documenting them ! So when you visit England, apart from the mandatory touristy stuff, this is something you must look out for as well 😀
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All the pubs, bars and inns are so lovely. Excellent photos! The profusion of flowers with their riot of colours just adds to the grandeur and quaintness of the structures. To me they look so cheerful and welcoming. I definitely want to go for a tipple to any one of these places for the sheer joy of experience. Blue is my favourite colour. I also somehow liked The Six Bells. All I need is a horse and buggy and what a White Christmas will that be!!!!
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Glad you liked them, Neena. And my very best wishes that you make a trip to England soon to have that tipple 🙂
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thanks Sudha for the eye capturing pictures…..I enjoyed all the pictures, but the Blue Hart (you know why) and the Shipwrights Arms are the ones I liked the best…the combination of colors and the setting make it look so attractive! The names are a real treat to read at the end of the day, rather week! They make you smile or even chuckle! I loved your blog.
By the way, the kaddu ki kichidi sounds fun, I quite like blue cheese and pine nuts….must try them if I get a chance 😉
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Hey Jayess, seeing you here after ages. Hope you’ll visit more often 🙂 And yes, I’m sure you would have enjoyed the kaddu ka khichdi. You and my brother both. He for the kaddu and you for the blue cheese and pine nuts 😛
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Really liked your translations, KADDU KA KHICHDI, and missed the pub culture.
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Delighted to see you here, Pukar. That risotto was a Kaddu ka Khichadi and it was ‘yuck’ 😛
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I drank to my hearts content from your blog what beautiful places to go to for a visit over a glass of beer one can chat with strangers & make friends. beautiful collection
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Hope you enjoyed your “drink” 😉
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