Wednesday 4th November - the countdown had started to pub door closure at 10pm, with 'Lockdown 2' about to kick-in.
Wanting to make the most of the day, I set off into Somerset to visit the city of Bath.
Wanting to make the most of the day, I set off into Somerset to visit the city of Bath.
With all it's wonderful architecture and the golden Bath stone looking glorious in the sunshine, you may ask why I started the day in a dull modern leisure complex.
£3.98 for breakfast and a pint...that's why.
The King of Wessex (5-10 James Street West, Bath, BA1 2BX - web)
Yep, it's a pretty identikit modern Wetherspoons, in a complex that also includes an Odeon and Nandos. But it's not quite as bad as suggested by Trip Advisor user Suejtay who proclaims "this has to be the worst weatherspoons (sic) ever".
Yep, it's a pretty identikit modern Wetherspoons, in a complex that also includes an Odeon and Nandos. But it's not quite as bad as suggested by Trip Advisor user Suejtay who proclaims "this has to be the worst weatherspoons (sic) ever".
Suejtay obviously hasn't been to Cowley.
The press widely reported on Spoons selling their beer at discounted prices to prevent having to pour stock down the drain come lock-down.
Most of the casks had been drunk dry already, but they still had a Box Steam 'Ghost Train' left, at a bargainous 99p a pint.
Add this to a Rishi discount for the breakfast and you had a happy pub ticker, early doors in The King of Wessex.
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| Spoons Brekkie |
It was around a 10-minute walk into the centre, where my next pub of the day was tucked down an alleyway. I'd read that the Couer de Lion was "probably the smallest pub in Bath, and always busy", so wanted to get there as soon as possible after the 11am opening time to ensure getting a table.
There were a fair few folk for such an early hour, but most of them had opted for the outdoor tables in front of the pub. Good for getting a seat inside; bad for getting a picture of the wonderful stained glass window.
There was a choice of two Abbey Ales brews on the bar: 'Bath Best' or 'Bellringer'.
I grabbed a pint of the Best and settled on the red cushioned bench seating at the edge of the small charming bar.
But he was very diplomatic when asked what for, answering intriguingly that he'd done "that thing again". I shall never know what Howard did wrong.
The Salamander (3 John Street, Bath, BA1 3JL - web)
This is a lovely backstreet pub, a 1950's coffee house that became licensed in the 60's.
By far the friendliest staff of the day, without knocking those anywhere else.
From the couple of Bath Ales beers that were left I picked the 'Prophecy', light and easy-drinking and on great form.
By far the friendliest staff of the day, without knocking those anywhere else.
From the couple of Bath Ales beers that were left I picked the 'Prophecy', light and easy-drinking and on great form.
I could have revisited the Raven, but the 30-second stumble down the road from the Salamander would have been far too easy. I needed a bit of a stroll, so headed uphill, passing some of Bath's elegant architecture on my way to the Heritage-listed Star Inn.
Situated in a Georgian terrace, the Star first became licensed in the 1760's. It was refurbished and extended in the 1920's and little has changed since then.
It's an absolute delight of small rooms, partitioned with wood panels and featuring basic bench seating around the sides and proper pub stools.
I sat in what's known as the Glass Room, a cosy spot with fireplace and fold-down shove-ha-penny board, settling down with a pint of Bass served straight from the barrel.
Another dose of fresh air and sunshine, as I made a 15-minute walk, crossing the Avon on my way to another of the cities Good Beer Guide entries.
It was fortunate that I didn't leave the Pultenay Arms 'til later, as I discovered they were about to close early for lock-down at 3pm.
One customer left in a huff when he learned the Peroni was sold-out, not accepting that any other beers still available could match the Italian fizzy magic.
The lack of Peroni didn't put me off, I was quite content with my second Box Steam beer of the day. 'Soul Train' this time, supped in the corner, whilst the Righteous Brothers, Manfred Mann, and The 5th Dimension provided the soundtrack.
Walking back toward the centre along Argyle Street, I popped in to crafty Beercraft (3 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BA - web) for a quick half of something hoppy and murky and to weight the backpack down with a couple of bottles of beer and Somerset cider.
But I had one last stroll through the quiet touristic historic streets around the Abbey and Roman bath houses, stumbling across the Crystal Palace pub by accident.
Well, it's another 2021 Beer Guide tick, so why not?...
Possibly named to commemorate Bath City's 1931 FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace.
Possibly not.
A Fullers house, this is in a charming location on a leafy square. The interior is smart and modern, obviously a popular spot for a pub lunch and bottle of Chardonnay.
I seem to have had a lot of 'London Pride' this summer, and that was the only ale on offer here. But it was a decent pint and just £2 as they tried to clear their stock before closing for the month at 10pm.
Possibly not.
A Fullers house, this is in a charming location on a leafy square. The interior is smart and modern, obviously a popular spot for a pub lunch and bottle of Chardonnay.
I seem to have had a lot of 'London Pride' this summer, and that was the only ale on offer here. But it was a decent pint and just £2 as they tried to clear their stock before closing for the month at 10pm.
What a wonderful trip to Bath - looking unbeatable in the Autumnal sunshine.
What a shame that I can only browse wistfully through the new Good Beer Guide, planning where to go next, whilst stuck at home during next month of lock-down.
What a shame that I can only browse wistfully through the new Good Beer Guide, planning where to go next, whilst stuck at home during next month of lock-down.
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