Yeah, we always do that. First question after approaching the bar..."What's local?" Same with the beer selection at grocery stores when we're traveling.
On the plus side, however, they are dog-friendly.
A couple of observations from an American:There's a micropub about half a mile from where I live but it's not a walk I'd like to do in the dark. The other nearest one is almost next door to our "local" Waitrose - not far as the crow flies but a horrible journey by public transport in the dark, and I'd rather not go by car in case their beer is addictive
That particular micropub is on a very busy main road with no parking signs everywhere and fines if you park in someone else's car park. The side turns are often blocked so you can't turn into them, and the ones that aren't are often residents only,A couple of observations from an American:
1. "Walking distance" means something much different to many Americans than it does to many Britons. A half-mile would be stretching it, as anything more than a city block is considered applicable for a car.
I can recount multiple occasions where we'd be in a village we didn't know, as for directions, and someone would invariably say, "Oh, it's just there, <point in some general direction> well within walking distance, just turn left at the street just there."
We'd turn left at the street "just there" and walk a bit...and a bit more...and a bit more...and finally come upon a sign that would say what we were looking for was another two miles along.
2. Dogs and pubs go together like nobody's business. Nothing lightens my heart more than to walk into a pub, look around, and see dogs piled here and there, snoozing while their owners have a drink and a snack.
Probably the number one complaint my wife hears from (American) clients returning from England is "They let dogs in the bars! Disgusting!" - even though she tells every last person traveling there that dogs in pubs is common, so don't be surprised when you see it.
When we were in Cheltenham last year, just about every pub we went into had dogs. I can't remember the name of the village, but one pub, on their outdoor chalkboard, had written, "Dogs with well-behaved owners allowed." I loved that.
A couple of observations from an American:
1. "Walking distance" means something much different to many Americans than it does to many Britons. A half-mile would be stretching it, as anything more than a city block is considered applicable for a car.
I can recount multiple occasions where we'd be in a village we didn't know, as for directions, and someone would invariably say, "Oh, it's just there, <point in some general direction> well within walking distance, just turn left at the street just there."
We'd turn left at the street "just there" and walk a bit...and a bit more...and a bit more...and finally come upon a sign that would say what we were looking for was another two miles along.
2. Dogs and pubs go together like nobody's business. Nothing lightens my heart more than to walk into a pub, look around, and see dogs piled here and there, snoozing while their owners have a drink and a snack.
Probably the number one complaint my wife hears from (American) clients returning from England is "They let dogs in the bars! Disgusting!" - even though she tells every last person traveling there that dogs in pubs is common, so don't be surprised when you see it.
Just have to walk outside for fresh galangal.
