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British Pubs: A Travel and Writing Opportunity

© Kim Applegate

Traveller's Book Review: British Pubs! A unique travel experience offering numerous travel article ideas.

Heritage Pubs of Great Britain: Britain's Most Beautiful Authentic Pub Interiors (CAMRA, 1998)

Time Gentleman Time!

The days of the traditional English pub may be numbered. Well-worn wooden settles are making way for durable white melamine chairs. Quaint, intimate taverns are tearing down their walls to accommodate the thirsty hoards of University students. Pub pianos can no longer compete with the jukebox's throbbing bass. Alas, ambiance giving way to avarice.

In the 1970's, in defense of tradition, CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) organized to fight for the preservation, protection and promotion of "good beer and good pubs." CAMRA's Heritage Pubs of Great Britain is a celebration of "Britain's most beautiful authentic pub interiors." Authentic is the touch stone of this book, making it a joy to browse and savor.

The featured pubs' interiors are perfectly rendered in wonderful artistic photographs. Pages are filled with the rich details, magnified by finely cropped close ups. Feel the well worn surface of a century old cribbage board or the marred wooden tabletop, graffiti tooled by servicemen celebrating VE Day in 1945.

James Belsey's introduction honours the legacy of the English pub and the pub owners who have so resolutely kept their surroundings true. He equally laments the passing of many other great establishments and resoundingly whips the corporate drive to make more money at the expense of the art of brew making and pub atmosphere.

Travellers to Britain must peruse this book and patronize the establishments highlighted within its gorgeous pages. We are given a road map to experience British ale and pubs at their best. An opportunity that may not be available in times soon to come. By supporting CAMRA, and its member pubs, we are playing a part in retaining the heritage of authentic English pubs. Cheers!

Heritage Pubs of Great Britain: Britain's Most Beautiful Authentic Pub Interiors
Photographs by Marc Bolton with commentaries by James Belsey.
CAMRA Books, 1998
ISBN: 1-85249-146-9

Visit CAMRA's web site for more information on the organization and peruse CAMRA's books.

Travel Writer Tip: Visiting Great Britian's wonderful pubs can be the start of wonderful travel articles:

• Feature the Pub's quaint village as a traveller's destination.
• Couple the Pub with a wonderful Inn as a weekend getaway article.
• Interview the Pub owner for a profile piece.
• String together a number of Pub's within easy driving distance as an interesting circle tour of the area. Similar to winery tours in California's Nappa Valley.