Dartmouth, UK. Dating from the 15th century this is Dartmouth's oldest pub, and is made up of two terraced houses that were combined into one to form the pub. It has many historical quirks. It is the only pub in Dartmouth with a cellar. There is an old tunnel that leads to St. Savior's Church dating back to when Catholics were persecuted during the time of the Reformation. There is also a smuggler's hatch on the back of the bar - a wooden beam that was hollowed out with a hatch made to resemble the wood - so that smuggled goods could be hidden if the taxman paid a visit. And then there is the mummified mouse. Wrapped in a 10 schilling note and kept on top of a wooden beam behind the bar. Legend has it that if the mouse is removed from the building it will no longer be protected by its magic. And of course there is a ghost, who moves around the building at night and likes to smash glasses.

It is a smallish interior with two rooms, front and back, separated by a small bar. I was happy to get my first taste of Jail Ale from Dartmoor brewery located in the Dartmoor National Park (and at 1465 feet above sea level they are the highest brewery in England). I had heard about this beer before visiting Dartmouth and I was not disappointed - a nicely balanced tasty English Pale Ale. Cheers to the mouse!