Pubs Galore - the UK pub guide

After an utterly exhausting climb up Keere Street, we were rewarded with this fine example of brewers’ Tudor, sporting a lovely terracotta cartouche from former Croydon brewer Page & Overton (see photo); I didn’t know they traded this far out.
This is a genuine family-run freehouse, of which, carpet aside, I have absolutely no memory other than of a rather rude young barmaid (see below), so perhaps I’m subconsciously blocking out the trauma.
My notes state that I had a half of Kent Pale, £2.55 and fine.

Located inside a shopping centre, this one definitely already doesn't win any awards for its looks. Once inside it's a very tight affair. Drinks take an age to come and when they do they are served in a plastic glass. Definitely the worst Spoons I've ever been in. Nothing to recommend unless you're in the vicinity and desperate for a drink.

A two bar corner pub, solid brick local from the outside but modern on the inside. Entering the vestibule off Ashby Road there’s a public bar/games room to the left and a slightly more lounge like bar to the right with a second door on Regent Street. Pool, darts, screen and no pulls in the public but only a T-Bar. A couple of screens in the lounge but it has four pulls and a double length T-Bar, a decent choice on three of the pulls, Batemans XXXB, Charnwood Salvation and Bass, the fourth was blank. A bar blockers paradise with stools ranged along the full length of the counter, banquette and tables with chairs down the two outer walls. There’s a bit of a 1930s art deco vibe to the decor, geometric shapes and in some of the furniture.

A small town hotel (but no longer an hotel) which has had a fairly smart refurb and reopened after a long closure. A large room at the front extends round a big brass-topped counter, with a mix of booths, low and high tables. Decor is mainly dark grey and green. In the corner is a separate area labelled Tap Room which looks good for drinkers, while at the back is a large bright glass-sided restaurant and ranks of outdoor tables in courtyard and patio areas with a car park beyond. It is all quite tasteful, slightly modernised but traditional enough. Ales on were Black Sheep, Saltaire Blonde and Kirkstall Pale, the latter in good shape and at a very reasonable £3.90. Five Points and Northern Monk craft brews were also noted. Nice enough and not overpriced.

Now known as the Bear Inn, this is a 15th century pub with rooms located in Winnie-the-Pooh country. At the front of the pub steps climb to a verandah and the front entrance that opens into a wooden beamed staple shaped front bar area. A central U shaped serving counter faces seating to the left, right and across the front either side of the entrance. All the tables had knives and forks set with a water glass and napkin, but oddly it didn’t feel that food led. This was due to some boisterous old locals having late Saturday afternoon banter at the bar. I counted four hand pumps that were drawing Harvey’s Best and Sisters alongside Long Man’s Long Blonde and Copper Hop. A premium keg range was also available from the polite young bar staff. In the right rear of the pub is a large open plan seating area and a rear bar with more premium keg options is found to the left rear. There is lots more seating in the rear of this bar. Out the back is a large patio and lawn garden full of seating. This is a good option for visitors to Ashdown Forest.