The Old House

The Old House, Ightham Common, Kent TN15 9EE

An old tile-hung cottage pub hidden away on a narrow back lane in the Kent countryside close to the romantic moated manor house of Ightham Mote. It was first licensed as an alehouse in the mid-19th century, but did not acquire a full licence until 1953. The inn sign has long gone.

The unspoilt interior qualifies for a full entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory, and comprises a large public bar to the left of the entrance door, with an impressive inglenook fireplace and a wood block floor, and a smaller parlour to the right.

Another example of those unspoilt, genteel, wet-led rural or urban fringe pubs that are still found here and there in the South of England, but are pretty much entirely unknown in the North.

The Black Horse

The Black Horse, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2EJ

A striking redbrick corner pub on one of Preston’s main shopping streets close to the impressive Harris Museum and Art Gallery. It was built in 1898 by Kay’s Atlas Brewery of Manchester and is now owned by Robinson’s of Stockport.

The exterior conceals an even more impressive interior which merits a full entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory. There are two comfortable snugs at the front, a central lobby with a richly decorated ceramic bar counter, and a rear alcove surrounded by bench seating with mirrors on the walls above.

It is allowed to sell a selection of guest ales alongside Robinson’s own beers. The city-centre location ensures it is busy throughout the day with a wide cross-section of customers.

The photo was taken by me in the early evening of Friday 23 August 2019.

The Red Lion

The Red Lion, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 2JH

An outwardly unassuming cottage pub situated on what was once the main road through the town, but is now a dead end leading to a pedestrianised area. It used to have its own car park on the right-hand side, but this has now been sold off for redevelopment. However, there is a public car park on the other side which is free to use on Sundays.

The brick exterior conceals a timber-framed building dating back to the 16th century, with an unspoilt interior that earns it a full entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory. The heart of the pub is the central public bar, with wood panelling and a quarry-tiled floor. There are two other low-ceiling rooms on either side, the one on the right with a dartboard and an alcove of bench seating.

It still carries Banks’s signage, and the beer range consists of Banks’s Mild and Bitter, plus another from the Marston’s stable such as EPA. It is a traditional wet-led pub, and no food is served. Although the now-closed power station gives Rugeley an industrial image, it is a very long-established market town, and the centre contains a number of historic buildings.

The Hare & Hounds

The Hare & Hounds, Manchester M4 4AA

A small pub on Shudehill on the north side of the city centre, that was once part of a terraced row but is now isolated amidst modern development. The interior was remodelled in the 1920s and remains largely unspoilt, with a front vault, drinking corridor alongside the bar and rear lounge, earning it a full entry on CAMRA’s National Inventory.

Once a Tetley’s pub, the beer range is now Holt’s Bitter, Doom Bar and Robinson’s Dizzy Blonde, with the Holt’s, sold at a bargain price for the city centre, very much being the staple beer. No food is served, but the pub attracts a strong following of older regulars.