Good Old English Pub Grub
There, like an oasis, is a traditional Olde Worlde, English pub.
As you approach, you see they have a chalk board outside offering Traditional Fayre, or Pub Grub. The aromas of home cooking waft through the open doorway... go on in, how can you resist?
Let me show you what you're missing...
Pub Grub Comes In Many Forms
I will refer throughout the lens to English pubs, as I do not have personal experience of Scottish, Welsh and Irish establishments, although I imagine them to be much the same.There are several options when choosing where to go to eat pub grub.
Ye Olde George Inn - Christchurch, Dorset
Traditional Pubs
In England, the traditional pubs are owned by Breweries and managed by Landlords or Managers. The Landlords and Managers usually live on the premises.There are also 'Freehouses'. Which means that the pub is independantly owned and not tied to a particular brewery.
Some serve excellent food, both in price and quality.
Some buy in frozen microwavable slop...whoops, food. Others have cooks or chefs that will cook food from scratch, often to a very high quality.
Many of the pubs you come across in the Countryside, will be traditional establishments. You will find them in the Cities too, although they are being closed down in favour of more trendy establishments.
Sometimes, as in programmes such as Eastenders or Coronation Street, pubs are based in a community area and are known as 'Locals'. Unlike British TV, most people do not spend all their free time down the pub!!
The Duke Of Wellington Southampton City Centre
Inside The Duke Of Wellington - Southampton
Menu In A Traditional Pub
Years ago, you'd have found Chicken In A Basket or Ready Salted crisps!Thankfully, things have changed. You may find two menus on offer. One will offer bar snacks, such as a variety of Sandwiches, Pies, and Lasagna. The other will offer a selection of more substantial meals. and may be served in a restaurant section of the pub.
There are often themed weeks too featuring dishes from various Countries.
Nowadays, you'd probably find a selection of the following;
Ploughmans (Bread, Cheese, apple, pickle, varies from place to place)
Steak & Ale Pie
Traditional Sunday Roasts (Often only available on Sundays)
Bangers and Mash (sausages with mashed potatoes)
Shepherds Pie
Depending on the establishment, you'll probably find soups, salads and a good selection of desserts.
The Fox And Hounds - Lyndhurst, New Forest
Pub Grub Photos
The Carvery
The Carvery is an excellent choice if you like ample portions of meat and vegetables.In essence, it's a traditional roast dinner.
There are usually at least two choices of meat available which will be carved for you at a counter by the chef. There will also be yorkshire puddings, stuffing balls and gravy. A good carvery will serve home made gravy made from the meat juices.
Once you have your meat, you move onto the vegetables. These may be served to you, or maybe buffet style. These will always include roast potatoes of course and a selection of other veg such as roast parsnips, brussel sprouts, swede, peas, carrots, cabbage, red cabbage to name a few. The choice will vary from pub to pub.
A carvery meal is usually excellent value.
The White Swan in Mansbridge, near Southampton (see picture above right) has recently been renovated and offers not only the traditional English pub, but also a restaurant and full carvery.
The Filly Inn - New Forest, Hampshire
Nationwide Pub Chains
Or Gastro Pubs
There's a growing trend in the U.K., for chained owned pubs. they tend to be a little more 'up market' (but not always) and are more likely to be found in Town and City Centres.They will aim at two main markets. The first being the office workers and will often provide neuvo cuisine for business lunches, which is frequently over priced.
The second type of customer they aim for will be the evening revellers and the feel of the place will change totally from that of lunchtime. The menu will change too or may not be available in the evenings.
Weatherspoons is one such chain that can be found all over the Country in City Centres.
Harvesters and Beefeaters are other chains that are more like restaurants than pubs but also have a pub type bar area. Theses are more likely to be out of town.
They are very popular and offer a large, varied menu to suit all budgets.
Some of the chain pubs are in buildings that were previously banks, manor houses, or in some cases, even old, disused Churches.
The Fox And Hounds - Hungerford Bottom, Hampshire
Childrens Pub Grub
Thankfully, the days of a child being left to sit on the kerb outside the pub with a bottle of coke and a bag of crisps, are long gone.The breweries took their time, but realised they were missing a huge profit making opportunity by failing to allow children into their establishments.
In England in the past, children were only allowed into the restaurant area of a pub...this may still be the case. I'm unsure of this now as every pub you go into that serves food, seems to have children there, so the law may have changed.
I remember only too well, waiting outside a pub with my own children whilst my husband went in to ask if children were welcome. Back then, we'd often be told 'only in the garden area' some of these were excellent, others only offered a rusty swing and long grass. If it was raining, tough luck.
Very often now, there will be large signs outside saying 'Children Welcome' Highchairs are often available as well as changing facilities, although these will vary greatly.
Childrens menus are usually available and will offer small protions of all the kiddie favourites such as chicken nuggets, sausages, pizza etc.
The Lone Barn - Hungerford Bottom same site as The Fox And Hounds
Beer Gardens
You will frequently see signs outside of pubs saying 'Beer Garden' No, it's not a garden full of beer...it's where you can sit outside and enjoy your pint and meal.There's often a very good play area for the children which will keep them entertained while you enjoy your drink.
You can see a good example of a more adult beer garden in The Lone Barn photo, above.
Pub Grub on Amazon
Christmas Pub Grub
Traditional pubs usually offer excellent Christmas Dinners.On the run up to Christmas, it's common place for workers to go out together for a traditional turkey Christmas meal, with all the trimmings.
This may include a starter and a dessert. You'll also get a Christmas Cracker and be expected to wear your party hat! Not sure what a Christmas Cracker is? Don't worry, I have another lens lined up for that very thing ;)
How the pub kitchens cater for so many people all wanting the same thing, I'll never know!! Occasionally, the roast potatoes aren't cooked as long as they need to be or the Brussel sprouts may be mushy, but on the whole, you'll get a good Christmas meal.
Generally, not many establishments offer this on Christams Day. If they do, you'd need to book well in advance. You might need to do so in the weeks before Christmas too.
Photo Copyright!
Did You Enjoy This lens? Please Leave A Comment Here!
CLICK HERE to join Squidoo and create your own first lens. What to make a lens about? How about YOU! A short biography of yourself is always a good way to start as a lensmaster. That should take about 5 minutes - you can come back to it and improve it time and time again.
CLICK HERE to join TAGFOOT and meet a whole new online community. Want to share a lens, a news item or just have fun? Great for bookmarking and you can even upload pics!
Spook wrote...
Just dropped by to wish you a Happy Birthday and many more and chose this delightful lens.
Ramkitten wrote...
I can't wait to get me some pub grub! We're planning to visit the U.K. next year, probably to do a long walk. I'm finding so many great lenses about England, including this one. Nice job!
JaguarJulie wrote...
Gosh, we asked in the town of Ronda, Spain for some friend bull's testicles but the cute Spanish guys laughed, shoke their heads and said in broken Engish, "no eat!" We did see bull's tail on the menu though! Ah, pub grub. ;)
NanLT wrote...
I've had some really nice meals in a pub. Have lensrolled you to my Traditional British Foods lenses.
cappuccino136 wrote...
I love good pub grub. Shepherds Pie and Bangers and Mash are yummy. I also like a nice pasty, but I'm not sure if that's a pub thing or not.
debnet wrote...
in reply to Fiona Manson Thank you! You could also visit my Fish and chips lens to introduce them to another British tradition! Good luck to your group :)
WritingforYourWealth wrote...
Never heard of Ploughmans... I'll have to find a pub to try them at some time. :)
EverythingMouse wrote...
One of the things that I miss about England is the nice quality pubs. Some pub food is terrible but if you find the right one it can be a great way to while away a few hours!
kiwisoutback wrote...
I'd love some good pub grub. We have some local ones here in New England that try to pass themselves off as genuine pub grub style, but they're not so good. I even went to one in Vermont where I ordered Shepherds Pie and it has plastic inside the pie (it was a cheap frozen imitation) -- which I started to accidentally eat -- woops! Needless to say, that meal was on the house. Never been to the UK, but I'd love to go. Great work!
GrowWear wrote...
Wishing I could drive up to one right now! One of these days... :)
CDT wrote...
Mmmmmm....pub grub...one thing us Brits definitely do right :D
alteredkat wrote...
ohhhhh...those 5* fish and chip pics have me in the middle of a craving! YUM!
Thanks for lens rolling my Shepherd's Pie recipe...will reciprocate!
...now I have to go find some fish to deep fry!...
dannystaple wrote...
Wonderful lens. I often enjoy pub grub, and some of my favourite places to eat are pubs. I have reviewed one pub, and will probably review more.
OhMe wrote...
I love this lens. I really felt like I was visiting an English Pub. Thank you.
AndyPo wrote...
Excellent lens. I love pub grub. I live 100 yards away from a wonderful English pub at the top of Richmond Hill with the best views in London and they do wonderful Sunday Lunch too, so I don't even have to go very far.
ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...
I've never been to England but its on my someday list. Pub Grub sounds yummy.
Great lens
Lizzy
Love This Lens?
Pub Grub Guides Around the Uk
- Pub Food Guide - Hampshire
- The UK's definitive guide to pubs serving food in Hampshire. Details on all pubs with location maps, sample menus, what's-on guides, etc.
- Pub Food Guide - Dorset
- The UK's definitive guide to pubs serving food in Dorset. Details on all pubs with location maps, sample menus, what's-on guides, etc.
- Pub Food Guide - London
- ?The Definitive Guide to Pubs Serving Food in the UK
??London
London has been split into the following areas:City
North London
North West London
South East London
South West London
East London
West London
If you have any problem identifying an area or you know of a pub which isn't lis - Pub Food Guide - Manchester
- The UK's definitive guide to pubs serving food in Manchester. Details on all pubs with location maps, sample menus, what's-on guides, etc.
- Pub Food Guide - West Midlands
- The UK's definitive guide to pubs serving food in West Midlands. Details on all pubs with location maps, sample menus, what's-on guides, etc.
- English Lake District - a guide to the Lakes for visitors and tourists
- The English Lake District For Visitors
- Pub Grub restaurants in Cornwall
- Pub Grub Restauurants in Cornwall
A Selection Of Debnets Other Lenses
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byby debnet

I live in the south of England & work in education. I'm busy juggling working full time with a busy online social life.
I'm a Bigfoot and Mentor on T... (more)





















