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The Great British Pub (or for the purpose of these pages:)
The British Pub (Public House) is a world famous institution, they come in all shapes and sizes, these days you can buy anything from a pint of beer to a cup of coffee to a 3 course ala' carte meal. The days of a pint of flat warm beer and a soggy meat pie are gone forever, (thank God!) although I'm sure most landlords will accommodate you if that is your preference!. Back in the late 1960's my family moved from Britain's second largest city: Birmingham, to the small sleepy town of Kidwelly in South West Wales. (Carmarthenshire) we stayed about two years before moving back to Birmingham. Pictured here are some snaps of my favourite watering holes taken from one of my many visits back to the town since first revisiting in 1988.
To find out more about Kidwelly Castle, or any of the Castles of Wales, click on the picture below.
This link will take you to Jeff Thomas's excellent Castles of Wales site. (new window) Before you ask, no I don't work for the Welsh Tourism Board! it's just when looking through my photo collection for pictures of pubs, they were all in Kidwelly for some strange reason? well there's not many pubs of interest in Birmingham, just lots of watering holes! Although when in the area I can recommend "The Black Eagle" Pub in Handsworth Birmingham, (Birmingham Pub of the Year on many occasions.) Lot's of great food and hand pulled cask conditioned Ales. |
The
Great Welsh Pub! 
Pictured left is the bar at The White Lion. (circa
1989, U.S. Brewers note the two Beer Engines on the centre of the counter,
yes that's what they look like! ;-) here you can sample the ales from
local brewery Crown Buckley. This area of Wales is blessed with two fine
breweries from the nearby town of Llanelli: Crown Buckley and Felinfoel,
(Pron: Velinvoil) both companies produce fine real ales which can be
highly recommended if you are ever down this way. Felinfoel produce a
wonderful brew called "Double Dragon" available on draught or can, treat
it with respect if you are fortunate enough to sample some! (trust me
here!) Felinfoel were also the first brewery in the world to put
beer in a can (as Michael Caine would say: "Not a lot of people know
that") Another highly recommended Welsh Brewery is Brains from Cardiff,
try a pint of Brains S.A. (skull attack) Bitter when you get the chance.
Pictured right
is The Old Moathouse in Kidwelly, although more of a
restaurant & small hotel than a pub, this is a listed building parts
of which are over 200 years old and is set against the impressive backdrop
of Kidwelly Castle which is a must see when in the area. I can thoroughly
recommend the Moathouse's great pub-grub (ala' carte menu) and
accommodation, I recently stayed in the 200 year old section. the sloping
floors take some getting use to especially after a few pints!. Inside the
old parts of the pub you'll be surprised at how low the door openings are,
well people were a lot smaller in the Seventeenth Century! The Moat is a
popular tourist trap for British and Foreign visitors who usually stop off
for a pint and a bite to eat before or after visiting the castle. The
Moat's food and accommodation (B&B) are very reasonable and of a very
high standard but for liquid refreshments I recommend you try
elsewhere.
Pictured left
is The Boot & Shoe Inn, a small compact pub set
against the remains of the old Norman town gatehouse & outer
fortifications. The inside of this pub is frequented more by locals than
tourists who tend to patronise the beer garden at the front of the pub
(weather permitting!) although I can guarantee you a friendly welcome
inside and a nice pint of Felinfoel. For such a small town there are quite
a few pubs to choose from, The Fisherman's Arms is worth a visit, a
favourite haunt of my parents during the swinging 60's!, In 1994 when I
visited the town this pub was sadly closed, what a relief when during a
visit in 1998, I discovered the pub was open again nicely refurbished
inside complete with traditional wooden benches!. (not recommended if you
suffer from hemeroids ;-)
Pictured
right is The Masons Arms in Water Street, another listed
building complete with thatched roof. Food and accommodation are available
at very reasonable rates. Yes, I've stayed in this one too! and have had
many a intoxicated evening in the company of the hospitable locals and
family friends. No matter which pub you visit in this charming town you
will always receive a warm friendly welcome and lots of fine local ale
Cheers! and don't forget to visit the castle and the nearby Pembre Country
Park with it's superb six mile stretch of Blue Flag Status
sands.
