cyclogenesis

Vacation starts tomorrow..

I am a beer snob and a home brewer.. I love real ales.. And I love good pub grub and atmosphere..

For the first 5 days we will be based in Herefordshire (~10 mins out of Hereford) and then for another 5 days in Cardiff (also Dr Who fans)

We also have a (very well adjusted) 9yo in tow.. So family friendly (note: Does not equal "designed for kids".. Best places have beer gardens for kids to play in and have fun..)

So what is the "Must Visit?" I remember a place in Oxford which had a beer garden in a graveyard.. that was cool.. What are some memorable spots?

Any advice very gratefully received.

Thanks!

tanglin

On your way out west stop over at the Royal Standard in Beaconsfield….

Try the Old Roger - just don’t drive after!

www.rsoe.co.uk

David-A

Wow. There will be dedicated sites for this, and hundreds of different opinions in any case.

I think your question is really: "(Can I have some) pub recommendations near Hereford and Cardiff - for real ales, good grub, with beer gardens a plus."

UKtravelbear

Look at the Campaign For Real Ale website.

squeeler

OK, I am going to chip in here, as I do know the area a bit.

Hereford I cannot help with, but here are some crackers:

Usk - The Nag's Head. Great food, good beer, landlord Simon is a good chap. Book if you intend eating.

Skirrid Mountain Inn, on the Hereford Road outside Abergavenney. Really top notch.

http://www.skirridmountaininn.co.uk/

Now, Cardiff. You have a huge selection, but there is one think you must do. Find a Brains' pub. They are the local brewers, and fine they are. Their web site tells you about many of them. In the city centre, I would suggest The Goat Major, Cardiff Cottage on St Mary's Street. Also check out The Old Arcade by the market, with the old back bar unchanged for many years. At the top end of Bute Street there is the fantastic Golden Fleece. One warning, this becomes a gay rendezvous in the evening, which may not be child-suitable. The glass and outside tiles are well worth seeing. At the other end of Bute Street there is a Brains Pub right on the waterfront, which is a bit new and gauche. But across the road is the Steam Packet, which is a great old Cardiff boozer. You can walk don or take the bus - Bute Street is not the best part of town.

Look at the wonderful Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park) and seek out The City Arms in Quay Street.

Please let us know how you got on! If you tell me where you are staying in Cardiff, I may be able to help some more. As you can tell, I have been to a few Cardiff pubs.

"I'm Cardiff born, and I'm Cardiff bred,
and when I dies I'll be Cardiff Dead" (Frank Henessey)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Hennessy

cyclogenesis

All Gold! I will write some down..

As for driving.. I drive TO the Pub.. Mrs can drive home

cyclogenesis

Yep.. and there in is the problem.. I want recommendations from those that go..

squeeler

Goodness, when I gave over all that advice, I did not realise you were an Aussie. I would have been far less generous, having spent part of my life watching your rugby team snatch victory from the hands of the deserving Welsh.

I should have sent you to places selling Fosters!

One place you are unlikely to visit is a real ale pub of some local note.

http://www.landoflibertypub.com

There was a famous interaction with the rather punctilious landlord. A guy came in and said "I'll have a pint of Fosters please mate" to said landlord. The landlord looked furious and responded "Two things. First I am not your mate, and second, we do not serve that sh*t here".

BearX220

The nicest Welsh pub I've ever visited is the George III in Penmaenpool.

http://www.georgethethird.co.uk/

philemer

A search for 'pubs' found this one: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...ndon-pubs.html Prosit!

SoggyDollar

Near Hereford try the Stagg at Titley:

http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk/pub/view/Stagg-HR5-3RL

You can walk the beer off on the Mortimer trail afterwards

GRALISTAIR

The Old Dungeon Ghyll in the Lake District
The Falklands in The Cotswolds

Ber2dca

The best pub is the one that doesn't have a knobhead drinking in it when you're there and that can never be predicted.

GRALISTAIR

I hear what you are saying.