Abergavenny to Bristol

67) The Clytha Arms, Abergavenny.
They host an  annual cider festival here which I have been to a couple of times and can say that it is a great couple of days. It is situated in a nice part of the country, the pub itself lacked 'va va voom' but it has a great outdoor area including a couple of boules (petanque) pitches.  7/10.









 

68) The Nags Head, Usk.
Cosy and quirky little pub with very friendly staff. Definitely worth a visit for a quiet ale.














69) The Raglan Arms, Llandenny.
I'm sure this is a very nice place to eat but this is not a pub. NAP. 4/10.

70) The Beaufort Arms, Raglan.
A very small but pleasant pub area is separated from the larger dining area. Whilst it was charming the small pub was not drawing much of a crowd. 5/10. 













71) The Castle View, Chepstow.
As you can see from the photo this is a Hotel. The pub area is small and as per usual with this guide geared more for dining so the bar is only small. We had a great chat to the manager who was a great guy and I have no doubt that it is a well run hotel but it's not a place you would go for a pint if you lived in the area. 5/10.

Jubilee weekend camping in Cornwall - First 9/10

62) The Rashleigh Inn, Polkerris.
After trying to take a short cut from the campsite I ended up trudging through half a mile of wet, waste high grass and jumping off a wall onto a narrow road, not my smartest move but I survived the jump and made it down the hill to the beach where the Rashleigh awaited. In my socking condition I was comforted by the warmth and the singing of what seemed to be a local choir/band. They weren't singing hymns or anything, the music was pub appropriate. They also have a good terrace area overlooking the beach. 7/10.

63) The Royal Inn, Tywardreath.
This pub didn't really have a lot going for it in my opinion. It reminded me of a small weatherspoons but as not dirt cheap. As with all the pubs over the Jubilee weekend there were a lot of Union Jacks inside however this was the only pub where I got the impression that the flags might be up all year and it may actually be a BNP pub. I did enjoy a couple thrying to big up Stargate Universe to their mates though. 5/10.









64) The Old Ferry Inn, Bodinnick.
Just a short ferry across the river from Fowey this pub serves a large but very poorly cooked double bacon cheese burger. I would recommend going up stairs and sitting on the terrace which overlooks the river, it's a stunning view. There are a whole host of beer towels on the ceiling and one room has a cliff rock wall. Although I like a lot about this pub it was a little too dingy and the overcooked burgers offended me. 6.5/10.

65) The Pandora Inn, Mylor Bridge. 
What a pub. We sat out on the pontoon and enjoyed the sun and the view of the estuary. The interior is dark but inviting with low roofs and a classic coastal pub feel to it. The food is good and there are several people around creating a very welcoming environment. It is similar to how the Ferry Boat in (Helford Passage) used to be about 10-15 years ago (still worth a visit). 9/10, top rated to date.

66) The Ship Inn, Fowey.
Great local, there is a room at the back with a long table if you're having a big gathering but the pub is good in the way that a few smaller groups will hapily share the table. The main pub area is cosy but a little small. Bar staff are friendly. 7.5/10.

Golf trip to Dorset

60) The Pilot Boat inn, Lyme Regis.
This pub seemed to have a slightly confused decor between pub/cafe/bar and restaurant. Extraordinary. 5/10.

61) The West Bay, Bridport.
Not much to look at, located near the Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club right in front of the beach. Fairly classic coastal pub decorations inside but was a little miserable if I'm honest. 6/10.

Waterloo to London Bridge

56) The Anchor and Hope, Southwark.
No real charachter, just a box shaped room. 5/10.

57) The Anchor, London Bridge.
This was a busy pub with a few different drinking areas. A decent place to stop off on a rainy day and play the IT box. 7/10.

58) The Fire Station, Waterloo.
NAP (not a pub). 5/10.

59) The George, London Bridge.
This is a narrow pub in a little court yard area just down the road from London Bridge. It's busy for a reason as there is a vibrant atmosphere and the age of the pub gives it lots of character. It is a little rammed unfortunately. 7/10.

A Random collection

49) Dukes 92, Manchester.
A bar and grill, it's larger and more spacious than pub but then again this isn't really a pub. 5/10.

50) The Salisbury Tavern.
Considering the age of the pub guide (2009) this sort of thing is inevitable. I had actually been here before it closed but failed to get a picture. It a airy with a modern interior, it is now a Tesco's Express I believe. I did enjoy a can of Polsky Shelp outside though (probably not spelt like that but that is how I pronounced it).

51) The Bountiful Cow, Holburn.
This is a steak joint really but I did enjoy the atmosphere for my pint. There is a good Korean restaurant near by called Kim Chee which I would recommend. As a pub this scores 5/10.

52) The Cricketers, Clavering (Essex).
Early morning round of golf follwed by lunch at The Cricketers in the glorious sunshine, it's fair to say that this was a good day. The pub had great character, I especially remember the beer barrel stools. The terrace is nicely set out and overlooks the village green. 8.5/10.

53) The Lamb, Nr Holburn/Russel Square.
There were lots of historic pictures of women of the walls which made me believe this may have once been a brothel but nobody could confirm that for me. It's a cosy atmosphere and there is a small terrace at the back for the summer. 7/10.

54) The Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden.
Small but perfectly pleasant pub in central London, I have no burning desire to go back though. 6/10.

55) The Priory Inn, Tetbury.
The bar was pretty dark but did serve some good ales. I would say this is really a place for drivers to stop of on long trips rather than a place to go for a few drinks. I wouldn't really call it a pub. 4/10.

Trip to Pembrokeshire

Overview & One to look out for
I went to Pembrokeshire with a few mates and we stayed in a campsite near the Castle ruins in Carew. It is a lovely area of the country and seemed very similar to Cornwall to me.Whilst there I asked a few locals what their favourite pub was and a few said The Casseli Arms in Cresent Quay. Although it is not it the guide I like to use the local knowledge to find a good pub when I am on a trip, so I went and have to agree with them. A very homely pub with an aga in the middle of it, it serves pints of ale from jugs which are filled from the barrels behind the bar. 8.5/10.

42) The Carew Inn, Carew.
A pleasant countryside pub but not particularly memorable. 6.5/10.

43) The Dial Inn, Lamphey.
This pub has a pool table which is good and similar to some other pubs in the area it has a bit of a 'sitting room' feel to it, which is a little strange. 6.5/10.

44) The Ferry Inn, Pembroke Dock.
Charming pub with an outdoor area overlooking the estuary, had great pint in the sun and would love to go back. 7.5/10.

45) The Swan Inn, Little Haven.
This pub is located in an inlet with a small beach. The pub is fairly modern but cosy inside and has a separat raised terrace area which is perfect for a relaxing drinks break when you been enjoying the beach. 7.5/10.

46) The New Inn, Amroth.
Located next to the sea, the staff are friendly and food served included traditional Welsh faggotts, the first I had ever tried, which I thought they were pretty tasty. 6.5/10.

47) The Stackpole Inn, Stackpole.
NAP. All about the food although I am sure the garden is nice in better weather. 4/10.

48) The Georges Restaurant/Cafe Bar, Haverfordwest.
We arrived during a very sociable hour of day to find the pub shut (I do not know why) but judging from a look through the window, the fact that it was closed and the name of the place itself, I realy don't think I was missing out. 4/10.

A selection of London pubs

26) The Albert Nr St James Park. 
I visited hear after finishing some exams. Not a bad place for a drink, the food is very average. 6.5/10.










27) The Buckingham Nr St James Park. 
I visited hear after the Albert (above), this pub was a lot quieter, it had nice bar staff but little to offer in the way of atmosphere. 6/10.

28) The Lots Road Pub and Dining Room off the Kings Rd near Fulham Broadway.
It is a light airy pub which serves great food. Whilst it is relaxed, as you would expect it is more of a dining room than a pub. 6.5/10.

29) The Market Porter next to Borough Market.
This is a pleasant little pub. It's busy as a result of all the people visiting the market but certainly gives you a good glimse at one of the better sides of London character. 7/10.

30) The Portobello Gold, Nr Notting Hill.
I didn't eat here but the food looked good. It has a nice pub area at the front and a large area geared more towards dining at the back. It has a strong Character and is a fun place to spend an evening. 7/10.

31) The Anglesea Arms, South Kensington.
This seems to play host to a vast number of wealthy Europeans some of whom seem to go there for a coffee on a Saturday evening, I was quite baffled by this. It is however a busy, lively pub in a great area of London which I have visited since and no doubt will visit again. 7.5/10.

32) The Argyll Arms, Oxford Street.
This pub reminds me of a Saloon with various partitions and paterns of frosted glass. It is not unique in it's character as I have been to several pubs with this style. For me it lacked something that I can't quite put my finger on. 6/10.

33) The Chapel Nr Edgeware Rd.
The is a more modern bar, which my girlfriend at the time quite liked but, as a man looking for a good 'old man' pub loaded with atmosphere and character, this was not the place for me. 6/10.

34) The Crown and Greyhound in Dulwhich.
I went for a good evening pub quiz. The pub had interesting patterned ceilings. Not a bad local. 7/10.

35) The Earl Spencer, Wandsworth.
Nice food but lacked character. 6/10.

36) The Fat Badger, Portobello Rd.
This is a big pub that seemed a little empty. 6/10.

37) The Gun, Docklands.
NAP. I wouldn't bother come here unless you want to eat. Not a very relaxed place for a drink, I couldn't get out quick enough.3/10.

38) The Nags Head, Knightsbridge.
It's a shame to see this little pub which has so much natural character being so poorly run. The food is remeniscent of a school lunch, they won't allow the use of phones, and whilst this would normally be a pleasant quirk in this pub its hard to see the bright side. Whilst there is a lot of old photos and newspaper clipings on the walls, when you see the dust it's easy to get the impression that they are only there because the owners couldn't be bother to remove them. There is a lot of potential here but I did not enjoy my visit. 5/10.

39) The Old Sergeant, Wandsworth.
This is not as good as some of the surroundiong pubs such as GJs or the Tir Na Nog. It is better inside than out with 2 floors. It does show sport too which is good. 6/10.

40) The Barnsbury, Islington.
Friendly atmosphere, sound place to have a pint. 6.5/10.

41) The Orange Brewery near Sloane Square. 
This was a very busy but narrow and cramped pub. It had a good vibe though. 6/10.

Hamersmith to Nottinghill pub crawl

19) The Anglesea Arms Nr Hammersmith. 
The start of a saturday bar crawl. A strange pub which has a pub area on one side of the bar and what seemed like more of a cafe looking area on the other side. The food was decent but the portions were small, not great before a bar crawl. 7.5/10.

20) The Dartmouth Castle Nr Hammersmith. 
This strick me a more of a food pub but certainly has it's merits as a drinking establishment. A friend of mine in seems to think it is the best thing since slice bread but I disagree. 6.5/10.

21) The Stonemasons Arms Nr Hammersmith. 
NAP (Not a pub). I had a very nice sandwich here but the selection of taps was very limited and it seemed more like a cafe than a pub to me. 3/10.

22) The Cumberland Arms between Hammersmith and Kensington. 
Fairly spacious pub, not particularly memorable. 6.5/10.

23) The Scarsdale in Kensington. 
This is a great pub, it was fairly busy and brimming with atmosphere. The burgers were delicious. I'll definitely go back sometime. 8/10.

24) The Mall Tavern, Nottinghill. 
This place is slightly more modern and is a little bland. 6/10.

25) The Churchill Arms, Nottinghill. 
Again a busy pub full of atmosphere. We were all pretty merry at this stage and it was a great pub to end the evening. There are all sorts of copper pots on the ceiling which is a quirky little touch thats add character to the pub. 7.5/10.