The Rose of England, Nottingham

The eccentric design of this magnificent pub draws the eye and encourages you inside, for surely it must be just as spectacular? Unfortunately not, is the correct answer. Once through the door you could be in any pub anywhere in the country. What a let down. One redeeming feature is the line of five hand pumps, but on closer inspection only three bear pump clips, one of which is a cider (of which there are two or three boxed polypins visible behind the counter) and two beers - Doom Bar and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. I've never been a fan of Harvest Pale, but at least this one was in good condition. Date of visit: 22nd June 2022

A brilliant Watson Fothergill designed listed building at the side of the main road into Nottingham city from the the north. Unfortunately the inside does not share the same Victorian features and is a very average punch Taverns type drab worn interior. On my Saturday night visit there were eight hand pulls at either end of the bar that ran along the length of the main room with a subsequent room to the right that has been knocked through to make one large drinking area. Beers available were Sharps Atlantic (£3.20), Castle Rock Harvest pale (£3), Bombadadier (£3.20) and Cairngorm Brewery Black gold (£3.20). the black Gold was a well kept roasted Scottish dark ale at a reasonable price. The Pale and Bombadier are regulars but i believe the the Atlantic along with the black gold change. This pub has a community feel to it, void of the glitz of the city it feels like a locals pub i the city and thus does get a few rougher characters but noting too bad, mainly just regular local drinkers. Because of the well kept reasonably priced ale i would consider popping in for a pint again but on Saturdays they play muusic too loud in the evening so would probably visit at a quieter time.

The Rose of England is a grand looking pub that was built by Watson Fothergill. The pub had a name change in the 80s and was called the Yorker for a while then it was Firkinised,it is nice to see it with its original name again. Once inside there is a smaller than you would expect single L shaped room,the bar faces on entry,the seating is comfy bench type to the left in two bays with normal tables and chairs elsewhere,the room is bare boarded. On my recent visit there were six real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Cross Bay Halo which went down very well,the other beers were Castle Rock Harvest Pale,Shipstones Gold Star,Bombardier and one from Flack Manor. The pub was quite busy on my Saturday afternoon visit with as usual a good mixed bunch in. Decent background music was playing and there was a few real Ciders on a stillage near the entrance. I was quite happy having a drink in this pub while waiting for a bus.