Here are some photos taken earlier today at the Harrington Arms, Gawsworth, Cheshire, a classic unspoilt Robinsons’ pub listed on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.
The exterior of the pub from the north-east. As often happens, the number of parked cars rather overstates the number of people in the pub, although I think it’s a popular spot for walkers to park up, and maybe have a drink later.
Some classic Robinsons’ advertising material from the 1930s in a frame on the wall. Note the focus on Best Mild and the complete absence of any mention of Best Bitter. The top right picture might nowadays be considered a touch sexist.
The unspoilt tap room, shown as No. 5 on the door, with a lovely pint of Wizard in a handle glass in the foreground. Note, however, the regrettable absence of beermats.
A traditional fingerpost sign outside a cottage opposite the pub. Before the building of a bypass in the post-war era, the main road from Macclesfield to Congleton turned the corner by the pub.
Simon Everitt would have found a wealth of material from the utterly incredible palaver from a group of well-heeled and mostly elderly diners about whether or not to eat outside. I innocently observed “nice day to sit outside” to one rather smart lady of about 65, who informed me in no uncertain terms that she CANNOT STAND "al fresco dining". They did end up outside, though.
Good grief, that lady obviously hasn't embraced Chorlton's outdoor tapas and craft culture. I wish I'd been there to witness it. Hope that pub has a nearby bus or train, looks a cracker.
ReplyDeleteCoach and Four from Mudge Mansions
DeleteNor can I stand al fresco dining - A butty or kebab consumed on the hoof is alright but a sit down meal? Outside? That's where simple wrongness crosses the line into outright perversity.
ReplyDeletethat postcard set was a pound from the bargain bin of the robbies gift shop.
ReplyDelete"that she CANNOT STAND "al fresco dining".
ReplyDeleteexcept on the balcony of her little place in Provence ?
I'm not too keen on eating outside and I must be the only person in Christendom who hates barbecues with a passion.
ReplyDeleteIn fact if truth be told I don't really like drinking outside either unless it's a chilled glass of champagne beside the pool.
But pints getting warm in the sun and being attacked by mozzies,insects and wasps ?Do fuck off.
Agree with you on barbecues, burnt or worse uncooked meat, warm beer or wine, and tired bits of salad that seem to feed every bloody insect within 15 miles. Same with eating al fresco, why bother? we have had roofs for centuries now. The other reason I hate eating and drinking outside is the screaming rampaging, ill behaved kids, and yes I do have offspring myself.
DeleteThat does indeed look like a lovely old pub, Curmudgeon.
ReplyDeleteEating outside? Preferably not. Drinking outside? Wonderful.
Indoors is rubbish and makes you fat and ill. Outdoors is fantastic. Why would you ever go indoors unless it was freezing cold and raining?
ReplyDeletePeople who don't like eating and drinking outside when its nice are weird. You're missing out on the best bit of life.
Speak for yourself.
DeleteIf I wanted to live like a gypsy I'd be typing this from a lay-by next to the A13.
OMG PY is back again and talking bollocks. He'll probably want to ban us smokers from smoking outside pubs where we are exiled to !
ReplyDeleteIt would certainly make the beer garden a lot more pleasant an environment for the 80% of customers who would prefer not to have disgusting smoke blown in their faces.
DeleteOf course, most smokers are extremely courteous and actively avoid blowing smoke near anyone else. There are always some exceptions to this rule, but then that's why we have ASBOs.
How many times do I have to tell you that smokers make up a lot more than 20% of wet-trade pub customers? And most of the non-smokers are not the kind of prissy joyless creeps who start pretending to cough if they see someone smoking fifty feet away.
DeleteReminds me of this story from 2008.
"PY is back again and talking bollocks"
DeleteOne tends to go with the other, I find.
Says the man who has literally nothing to offer other than childish insults...
DeleteDoes it not get boring John? Why don't you try thinking of an intelligent argument for a change? Or is that just too much to ask?
"How many times do I have to tell you that smokers make up a lot more than 20% of wet-trade pub customers?"
DeleteI thought you said all the pubs were closing down because all of the smokers now drink at home?
You can't have it both ways. Either wet-led pubs are bursting with smokers or they're not. Make up your mind what your argument is.
Well, even childish insults would put me a few rungs up the ladder from you when it comes to consistent and logical (or even sensible) argument. I could indeed think of intelligent arguments but really I can't see why I should waste them on you. I will leave that to others.
DeleteBy the way - I think we are all still waiting for this list of rough working class pubs you regularly use.
lol, thanks for proving my point.
Deleteand no, you're not still waiting.
Hammer, meet head of nail :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think PY goes to pubs !
ReplyDeleteWe've heard that Robinsons are considering a refurbishment of the Harrington Arms to turn it more into a food pub because of dwindling wet trade. It is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Just kidding... or am I??
ReplyDeleteThe single redeeming factor of pub gardens is that apart from racecourses they're just about the only place a fellow can purchase a drink and enjoy a decent cigar.
ReplyDeleteI reckon it takes about an hour to really enjoy one of my Cohibas and on a pint/smoke ratio I normally consume three pints of beer.
And funnily enough I prefer it when the weather isn't great because there's less chance of being lectured at by some pecksniffian prodnose like this py cove who really should get a life.
Geddit ? Life of Py ? Oh,suit yourselves.
I'm with you Prof !
ReplyDelete