The Pub is the Community Hub
What is really important when moving home? Your dream home is obviously going to be the number one priority.
However, there are probably other factors that you will consider as necessary or at least highly desirable, perhaps excellent schools, good transport links, a thriving village community, accessible shopping nearby, and a great British Pub?
I know that when I made my move to the Cotswolds, the proximity of a decent pub was a major priority, one that offered a welcoming atmosphere and excellent food and drink. Luckily, we found a house a mere throw of a Scotch egg from a truly iconic Pub, so we were and continue to be very happy. Rumour has it that having a thriving pub on the doorstep can increase your house value by up to 10%, so I am now feeling slightly smug as well.
The Changing Pub Scene
Five years ago the newspaper headlines made gloomy reading as pubs were closing at the alarming rate of 50 per week, with the total number of pubs in Britain plummeting from 68,000 to 48,000 and obviously there is the human element in every closure. Today, closures have slowed to around 21 a week but the good news is that many are re-opening and thriving having been refurbished by a trailblazing band of entrepreneurial independent owners and niche small groups. They are bucking the trend, reinventing them and now they are very much in tune with today’s leisure aspirations and lifestyle, reflecting the modern-day trend for dining and staying at a quality pub or inn.
Pubs are having to evolve to survive and you are just as likely to meet your friends on Saturday morning for a skinny latte and a read of the papers than to just drink beer. Having said this beer, craft brewing and real ales are having a renaissance and there is a renewed interest in them particularly with the younger audience. Some pubs, I know quite a few, have decided to start their own micro-breweries and brew their own beer. If you think about this, it is not a new thing – originally pubs brewed their own beer and thirsty people, often having worked all day on the land, flocked in to sample the wares – mind you the water was undrinkable then!
Food at the Inn – local & seasonal produce
Today’s modern pub is shouting about the local larder’ of produce on their doorstep, using whatever is in season and therefore at it’s best. Many are owned by chef/patrons who have previously plied their trade in top restaurants, or there’s a talented and ambitious chef at the stove, so you can often expect restaurant quality and style of food.
You’ll find chalkboard or daily printed menus championing local, seasonal produce, be it fish and shellfish from local boats, traceable meats from nearby farms, locally shot game, or organic vegetables from local allotment holders. One or two have taken their commitment to local producers a step further by growing their own herbs and vegetables, keeping chickens and rearing livestock, and opening small produce shops in adjoining buildings, with a few even hold their own weekly farmers’ markets in the car park. This plough to plate approach has obvious food miles, sustainability and provenance benefits for all.
It’s true, the food offering at many of our pubs and inns is getting better and better, but they remain relaxed and informal, welcoming all and offering food all day, perhaps small plate Tapas-style sharing dishes to nibble on while sipping a glass of Prosecco or a well-earned pint. So, you can graze, eat restaurant quality food, or tuck into rustic and hearty home cooked pub dishes, and who doesn’t love a good scotch egg – perhaps the quintessential bar snack and a measure of a good pub?
Inn Places – Room at the Inn
If you’re thinking of moving house, it’s important to explore your chosen area and that means staying for a few days so you can soak up the local vibe. Luckily, if you want a great inn as a base, we at Inn Places have done all the hard work for you, so you don’t have to.
Our handpicked and growing collection of ‘invite only’ Inns detail the very best pubs with rooms in the country, where you find a genuine warm welcome, a relaxed atmosphere, great food and super comfortable rooms offering top quality beds, linen and down, smart bathrooms with walk-in showers, roll top baths and posh toiletries, and a host of added extras, perhaps espresso coffee machines and Smart TVs; many have soothing country views too. A brilliant breakfast will set you up for your day house hunting.
Many people are shunning the soulless budget hotels and expensive country house hotels and opting to stay in a wonderful relaxed pub with rooms, where you can warm your feet by the open fire with a glass of something in your hand. Our Inns are generally in fabulous locations, with stunning walks from the front door, so you can relax and explore the area on foot following a busy day viewing properties.
Supported by on-line booking, food trails and detailed information on everything you need to know when visiting an area (shopping, activities, places to visit, walks), InnPlaces.co.uk offers a ‘one stop’ website for a complete break away at an inn. The Food Trail from each inn is a key element of the website, detailing local food suppliers that supply the Inn, local micro-breweries and vineyards offering tours, quality farm shops, cafes, deli’s and other pubs and eateries worth visiting on a day out during a stay at the Inn.
InnPlaces.co.uk is the brainchild of David Hancock, pub industry expert with over 25 years experience inspecting and writing about pubs throughout the country for Egon Ronay’s Guides, AA Room at the Inn, and twelve editions of the Sawday Pubs & Inns Guide. Every inn is visited by David or a member of his team of dedicated and knowledgeable food writers to ensure they are worthy of inclusion on the website.
So, what are you waiting for – jump online and book that long weekend away and remember that these great Pubs and Inns need your support to survive. Please don’t let these pubs down, our lives would be a great deal poorer without them!
Written by Paul Hennessy
paul@innplaces.co.uk
www.innplaces.co.uk
