Ye Olde Salutation Inn, Nottingham

A rock and ale pub, which made for a nice change from the other places I did in Nottingham on my crawl. A bit of character here (if somewhat shabby); two snug rooms and a main bar connected by a winding corridor, the names of which (Charles and Cromwell) evoke Nottingham’s role in the Civil War (the pub was apparently used as a recruiting station). Six ales available on my visit, with the bar touting a good selection of local micros. There’s also some ciders and interesting bottled garb. 20p off for CAMRA members too. An agreeably alternative music selection was being played and a few of the punters fitted right into the theme. The pub is apparently built on Saxon-era caves if the diagram on the wall is to be believed. I liked this one and will be returning next time I’m in Nottingham.

This pub has been well described by others, so I don’t need to add much. I did spot a notice inside that tells us that the name comes from the clasping of hands, originally that of the meeting between the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary. You live and learn. The ale selection remains superb, and I had a rather nice drop of something called White Squall. We went in there mid-evening on Friday when it was fairly relaxed and quiet and with no difficulty in getting somewhere to sit, but as the evening wore on it got much more crowded with a mainly young crowd but with a smattering of chaps that looked a bit like bikers. Anyway, this is an excellent pub which is truly ancient and dripping with character. It’s a must on any Nottingham crawl.

Another fine old building where internally rock pub meets real ale venue and it is done very well. The building is meant to date from around 1240 when it was a leather tannery and it then after becoming a private dwelling, changed use to a pub some time in the 1500’s. Our early Friday evening visit corresponded with the rock music being wound up for the evening proceedings, but not to a level where it became overly obtrusive to conversation. I didn’t make either of the side snug rooms, preferring to lean by a pillar in full view of the 8 hand pumps on the bar. One of these permanently has Westerns Old Rosie Cider and the other 7 rotate through a series of guest ales , mainly from local micro breweries. These included Caythorpe Dover Beck, Kelham Island Easy Rider and Acorn Brewery Golden Embers, the latter being an excellent tipple. I could imagine myself becoming very much at home here if I lived locally, but as I don’t sadly had too short a stay before leaving for the station to suffer British Midlands crap attempts to get me back to The Smoke.

Another terrific looking pub that claims to be the oldest in Nottingham. Also sporting the 'Ye Olde',this one claims foundation as 1240, though it is perched on caves too. It is an L-shaped building in white render, with part brick front facade - with its dormer windows, slight over-hang at one end and chimney stacks, Gothic fascia boards it looks like a mix from medieval through to modern. The interior, when entered from the back, has two small snug rooms either side of the entrance corridor. These are called the Cromwell and King Charles rooms. They are quieter than the main room and are in yellow and red, wood floor and have a fireplace. I was treated to a bunch of thespians discussing the student play in the Cromwell room whilst munching their dinner. The main room is in Yellow and wood panel, with yellow and beamed ceiling and wood floor. It is supported by beams and central pillars. There are basic wood chairs and tables, with the occasional settle thrown in. The walls are adorned with ld photos and prints, with the ocassional mirror. They do food here but i haven't eaten so can't comment on it. There is no TV that i saw and the music is rock/alternative based and at a decent level. The service was great and there was a real mixed clientele at my visit. Beer; usual tap stuff with Leffe and Burton Bridge Stairway to Heaven, Thornbridge Wild Swan, Castle Rock Harvest Pale Ale, Rudgate Ruby MILD, Notts Brewery EPA and Thieving Magpie's Rascal. The MILD was decent. A great pub and another must really. Different music and feel to the place and a good rotation of beer (review was back in May) - have had Oakwells MILD since.