Pubs with Bruce

Buckingham. Located in a market town between Oxford and Milton Keynes, this free house is one of the oldest pubs in town, dating back to 1610. The pub is visible on John Speed's 1610 map of Buckingham and is associated with the neighboring Mitre Cottage, circa 1420. In its early days The Mitre stood in an area known as Prebend Bend, a district that has a priest but no church. The local economy was supported by nearby farms, businesses, and religious pilgrims visiting St. Rumb

Oxford. A historic pub dating back to 1756, it was originally built as a forge and blacksmith shop by wheelwright John Morris, who rented the land from St. John's College. The name is probably derived from an old oak tree on the property, although there is also the famous story relating to Charles II (there are 389 pubs in the UK named Royal Oak). Back in the day it had the nickname "Doctors Lounge" due to its close proximity to the Radcliffe Infirmary, acting as a popular wa

Oxford. A historic, narrow Victorian-Era pub established in 1820 and rebuilt in 1879, it is one of the oldest buildings on George Street. It was originally known as Bunch of Grapes and featured a covered alleyway entrance, which was moved directly onto George Street in 1973. Over the years it has been operated by Bath Ales, West Berkshire Brewery, and St. Austell Brewery, but now it is a free house. There is a single narrow paneled room served by a long rounded bar on one sid

Oxford. The name of this pub revives a historic inn that existed on Cornmarket Street from 1621, associated with the Guild of Cordwainers (shoemakers). The first English Guild of Cordwainers was formed in Oxford in 1130. The word is derived from the Spanish city of Cordoba, celebrated in the Middle Ages for the production of cordovan leather, called "corwain", made from goats skin. This leather became the material most in demand by makers of the finest footwear in all of Euro

Bucknell, Oxfordshire. Bucknell is a small village (population 717 in 2011) located just outside of Bicester, and is named in the Doomsday Book of 1086. The building dates back to 1637, although it didn't officially become a pub until 1946 (previously it had operated as a butchers shop and an off license). It is notable for its rubble stone, original beams , and an inglenook fireplace. An open metal grid on the exterior wall was historically used by villagers to bake bread in

Devon,UK. There are two Tradesmans Arms in Devon. The first is located outside of the Hamlet of Scorriton (population approx. 300). This is another pub you have to really want to go to, involving 3 or 4 miles of "rat runs". It dates back to the late 1700/early 1800s. The name is a clear indicator of its original purpose - a gathering place and watering hole for various tradesmen in the local community, and evidence of this is displayed on the walls. In early years it was run

Ashburton, Devon, UK. Ashburton (population approx. 4,100) is located on the southern edge of Dartmoor. It was formerly important as a stannery (relating to tin) town, and is the largest town within the national park. The town has four pubs, although one is currently closed for renovation. The first I visited was The Bay Horse Inn. The building is a three story 18th century timber framed structure located on North Street next to a memorial to a local soldier who was killed th

Covent Garden, London. The Crown and Anchor has existed since at least 1811 and was rebuilt in 1904. It was originally a Combe and Co. Brewery house. It is a lovely corner pub located on the border of the Covent Garden and Seven Dials neighborhoods, and still features its signage from 1904. Inside, the bar is located at the back with plenty of seating available, and upstairs is another bar and restaurant style seating. I grabbed a London Pale Ale from Southwark Brewing (see m

Beesands, Kingsbridge, Devon. This is a pub you really have to want to go to. After turning off of the A379 (the main road, which itself has some sections that are too narrow for 2 way traffic) you travel down about 4 miles of narrow one lane roads known locally as "rat runs". Most of these have a turnoff area every 100 yards or so that allow for two way travel. But the last mile hardly even has these. But after arriving at the sea, it is a short drive along the South West Co

Dartmouth. Located on the Dartmouth harbourfront, it was built in 1639 for merchants William Barnes and Joseph Cubbitt, the original structure consisted of two townhouses. In 1688 one of the houses was used as an apothecary, offering medical advice to locals and visiting seafarers, as well as tobacco and a range of medicines, herbs, spices, and minerals shipped to Dartmouth from around the world. By the 18th century the buildings functioned as inns, the New Inn established in

Islington, London. With roots tracing back to at least 1680 as a coaching inn, the current structure dates back to 1830. The names refers to a portrait on it's sign, likely Elizabeth I or Queen Victoria. The exterior is of Flemish bond yellow brick accented by vibrant green tiling. The interior features an early 17th moulded plaster ceiling. The beautiful turquoise glazed faience tiled bar was created by Craven Dunnill Jackfield. As with most pubs in the Islington area there

Islington, London. Begun in 1851 as The York Hotel, a stopping point for northern bound stage coaches on the major road going of London. At the time the area was very rural, with cows known to graze up to the back door. The present building went up in 1873, when it became The York. Out front is a large terrace area with small tables. Inside is a central rounded triangle shaped bar with old bar back fittings, surrounded by checked black and white tiles. Above is a beautiful re

Bayswater, London. Established in 1826 and rebuilt in 1862. At that time it was named the Royal Oak - taken from the tree in which Charles II hid from Oliver Cromwell's men while planning his return to the throne. It is one of five London pubs which have given their names to tube stations - the others being Elephant and Castle, Manor House, Angel, and Maida Vale. The name is also the third most popular for a pub in the country (389 pubs). It later became The Railway Tap, and

Westminster, London. Licensed in 1862 as the Duke of Cambridge (possibly named after Queen Victoria's cousin), it began as a "beer house" serving only half pints, becoming a pub later. It was named Cask and Glass in 1962. Located between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Cathedral, it has been known as "The Queen's Local" (I guess now The King's!) and is reputed to be one of the smallest pubs in London. The exterior is a Georgian design with yellow stock brick. The interior h

London Bridge. Dates back to 1890. I love a flatiron/triangle shaped building, and this one is a bit unique as it is not located on a corner, but in the middle of the block. The facade features a Royal Coat of Arms (dating back to the 1820s) that originally adorned the gatehouse at the southern end of Old London Bridge. Its location close to the Thames led to its history of being a pub where pressgangs operated . These were men legally employed to recruit "volunteers" for the

Borough Market, London. This rounded Victorian building, built in a distinctive Gothic style in 1872 by Henry Jarvis, is located inside the famous (busy!) food market. A nice place to go to relax a bit and get away from the throngs of people. The interior has been renovated over the years but still retains the feel of an old pub. It gained pop culture fame as the building where Bridget Jones lived in the movie "Bridget Jones's Diary", with external shots featuring the pub and

Borough Market, London. Another beautiful pub next to Borough Market, this one dates to 1864. It used to be a debtors prison, and some of the old cells have been transformed into snugs. The curved frontage of this corner pub features stunning caramel colored Victorian tiled facades with ornate leaded windows. Inside there is lots of dark wood and wooden floors, with plenty of seating around the central bar. Down the large staircase leads to the Debtors Bar, where the snugs ar

Borough Market, London. Located next to the market, a pub has existed on this site since 1638, although it had many names (including The Harrow) before being rebuilt and renamed in 1890 (although the sign on the building says circa 1799). Its history is closely tied to the market, as it served as a gathering place for market workers, particularly the early morning porters. It has a reputation as being on of the last of London's "early houses", and still opens for a few hours

Bermonsey, London. Not my usual blog post but one I thought people should know about if they visit London. The Beer Mile (actually more like two miles!) is a loose amalgamation of brewery taprooms, pubs, bars, and bottle shops located along a stretch of railway arches (yes, you do get to hear trains rumbling overhead!) in the trendy neighborhood of Bermondsey. I certainly didn't make it through the entire stretch, but here are the ones I did get to, along with some of the gre

Poole. Established in 1635 and located harbourside, the Poole Arms is the oldest pub on the Quay. Its distinctive green glazed tiles facade bearing Poole's coat of arms is a feature from the early 1900s and is a trademark of the former Marston's Dolphin Brewery of Poole. It also reflects the town's famous 19th century ceramics industry ("Poole Pottery"). The interior has been renovated but still features a 17th century fireplace with a chamfered jam and a four center arched l