Paul Ainsworth

Pubs have been one of the main building blocks of British social life for over a thousand years. They are unique to the nation. Historical books about kings, queens, politics, battles and wars, may dominate the genre, but the real earthy history of the British – the vast majority of the British – happened in and around the pub.

Houses/homes were not really very comfortable places way back in the day. Cold, crude, damp and really, a place just to go when there was nowhere else. Pubs on the other hand, as they rapidly became, were warm and hospitable. A focal point for almost everything from socialising and doing business, to playing games and even meeting our spouses.

Starting off as a home hobby, usually by the woman of the house to earn a few more Grotes, home brewed beer was brewed by almost everybody. Some were better at it than others, brewing a more salubrious drink and therefore attracting more custom – which necessitated making more accommodation for that patronage. Ergo, the pub, if not actually called that, was borne.

Fast forward quite a few centuries to the present day. From the hundreds of thousands that dotted the land – sometimes three or four in a single street, the pub estate in the nation is in rapid decline. Social habits, disposable income, commercial influences, not to mention much more comfortable homes, have all impacted on the pub estate.

Very few pubs are in the same condition now, as they were when first established – but there are a few. The preservation and recollection of these few has consumed the time and effort of certain CAMRA members and resulted in a series of publications by that esteemed organisation.

This book 'Real-Heritage-Pubs of the South West – Pub Interiors of Special Historic Interest' is the first of a series that will cover the whole of the United Kingdom and is, in the eyes of this reviewer, a treasure to behold. Who would not be interested in an establishment built in 1455 and is still involved in the business for which it was then intended.

The book is selective – concentrating on those establishments that have unaltered interiors – as much as possible – from day they were first built. My aim is to visit all these establishments (well over 100) meet the owners/tenants there and have my visit dated and 'signed off' by them in the book. Of those done (4 at time of writing) I am amazed at the wealth of history, events and experiences these people can relate. Interesting buildings and wonderful people – both the 'locals' and the management, will regale the interested ear with facts (some of them even true) about the place. These I will record elsewhere (probably TripAdvisor)

In short, a superb publication, for those interested in the history and culture of the British pub.… (altro)