www.hmpubguide.com - Hereford's Premier Pub Guide

2011 Hereford Pub of the Year Poll Results

2012-01-10T14:17:00.003Z

The votes have been counted and verified, and we are pleased to announce the following results (in reverse order):

5th place- Lichfield Vaults 4%
4th place- Rose and Crown 6%
3rd place- Britannia 7%
2nd place- Barrels 18%
and the winner is....
1st place with 33 votes and 49% of the share... The Treacle Mine.

Congratulations to all the staff and management there, they've won 2 years in a row! As usual you can download the certificate below to display in the pub.

2011 Hereford Pub of the Year Poll

2011-12-31T23:59:00.001Z

THIS POLL IS NOW CLOSED

Well it's that time of year again, Christmas is only 3 short weeks away; therefore it's time to open our annual pub of the year poll. Just click on your favourite pub below to vote for the pub you think is most deserving of the title "2011 Hereford Pub of the Year."

Its Christmas! Hereford Pub Decorations Rated

2011-12-21T08:02:00.003Z

Last week we were out re-reviewing some of Hereford's pubs and we took to opportunity to also rate some of the pub Christmas decorations we saw. Here are our findings:

The Kings Fee (Wetherspoons)
Lots of (slightly tacky) tinsel decorations and two Christmas trees. Nice lights going up the stairs to the toilets too. The lack of festive music hinders the atmosphere somewhat though.
Xmas Rating: 3 and a half snowflakes

The Commercial
The decorations here are a bit sparse but the Christmas tree is very nice but features fit-inducing lights. There are some nice ponsetias too. What they've done, they've done well but more decorations are needed.
Xmas Rating: 2 and a half snowflakes

The Booth
Only a Christmas tree (pictured with Mr M) and no other decorations...but a lovely selection of Christmas music including Elton John's Step Into Christmas. A song which features the line "Step Into Christmas, the admission's free" sparking much debate.
Xmas Rating: 2 snowflakes

New Reviews: Cock of Tupsley by A Walton & The Bush Inn by Mr M

2011-12-11T18:49:00.004Z

Thanks to A Walton for sending us a review of the Cock of Tupsley. They are very compimentary of the pub and the improvements made by the new management. Check out the full review here.
Also, our very own Mr M has done an Official HM Pub Guide review of The Bush Inn near Bush Bank in Herefordshire. He found it to be a nice, traditional county pub serving good food. To see the full official verdict click here.

The Former Pubs of Hereford: The Greyhound Dog

2011-11-16T09:28:00.004Z

As you drive past Asda at the bottom of Belmont Road you may remember the derelict pub that once stood where the grassy area near the superstore entrance now is. The pub was of course The Greyhound Dog.

It had been closed for many years before it was finally demolished one Sunday around seven years ago and looked in a very sorry state during its last few years.

Originally the first house in Belmont Road its origins as a pub can be traced back to the early part of the 19^th century.

Below is a picture of how you will probably remember this pub, shortly before it was knocked down to make way for Asda.

Alcohol prices rise [but only in Scotland]

2011-11-03T08:51:00.003Z

It seems our friends north of the border are going to see a big rise in alcohol prices. There are plans to introduce a minimum price for a unit of alcohol; with the Scottish National Party Government proposing to set the price at 45p per unit. This could have a wider impact in Britain as a whole as our Westminster Parliament could follow suit in a few years, putting an end to cheap drink.
To read more on this story click on the following links

Winter's on it's way

2011-10-31T09:23:00.007Z

Well it's Halloween, the clocks have gone back- so it can truly be said that winter is nearly upon us. With this in mind I would like to throw open this forum for nominations for our annual "Hereford Pub of the Year Poll".

The poll itself will be open for voting on 1st December; just add in the comments section below any local pubs that you feel should be included in the poll. If (as usual) no comments are added then we will choose the pubs to be nominated [but no moaning about our choice, this is your chance to make a difference].

Check back in December to register your vote.

Send a Pub Review from your mobile...

2011-10-21T17:57:00.003+01:00

Now its even easier to send us your pub review thanks to the brand new HM Pub Guide Mobile Review Form.

The form has been specially optimised for Mobile phones so if you're in a pub and feel like sharing your thoughts on it with the world you know what to do.

Also look out for the brand new QR code which will take you straight to the Mobile Review Form.

The Broadleys Reviewed by A Jones

2011-10-11T13:39:00.005+01:00

We've received a reader review from A Jones for The Broadleys on the Ross Road. They confirm that the all important Mansfield beers are still available (Hurrah!). The Karaoke night there sounds pretty lively too. The review in generally very favourable - click here for the full details.

Also, as an addendum to our own review a few weeks back, we had a comment on the original blog post regarding the TVs in the Lounge. They are mainly used for sporting events and are usually left off as a default unless requested otherwise. This sounds good to me - many a time I've been in pubs with the TVs blaring away and nobody watching them!

Manhattans closes

2011-10-10T15:36:00.007+01:00

Last weekend saw the closure of Manhattans. After 18 years the pub/nightclub has finally closed due to dwindling customers brought about by changes in the licensing laws. A decade or so ago this was the place to go for a late drink when the pubs called "last orders" at 11pm; but now with pubs opening 'till later the allure of this late bar was lost. I remember having many a good time here- although it must be said, I had to be drunk to enter the premises! But the fond memories remain, and we wish the owners success with their new business in the building.
To read more about this story click on the following links:

The Former Pubs of Hereford: The Sawyers Rest

2011-10-05T20:44:00.002+01:00

If you've been down Burcott Road lately you've no doubt noticed that the scary low bridge has now gone but have you noticed something else that's missing? The Sawyers Rest has also been demolished.

Pictured below before the demolition thanks to Google Maps, The Sawyers Rest dated back to 1872 when it was originally known as Burcott Row before becoming known as The Rest in the 1880s. In the early part of the 20th century the pub was well known for brewing its own beer.
In the 1950s the pub became known as The Sawyers Rest and its remote location meant it soon gained a reputation for out of hours lock-ins.

Later on it became a Whitbread pub, and its fair to say it went downhill a bit, but retained its reputation for an all night lock-in. Indeed one poster on the Bulls Banter forum recalls one particular all-nighter there which ended with a fry-up supplied by the friendly landlord Nigel!

Bowling Green, Queen's Arms, Manhattans & Exchange reviews

2011-10-02T12:27:00.003+01:00

Last week we re-reviewed four pubs in town; to read the reviews click on the pub names below:

The Bowling Green (pictured top left)- this is your typical local, town pub; it's a bit rough around the edges and as such only scores 48%.
The Queen's Arms (pictured bottom right)- another town pub but this one is a bit smarter and nicer, and therefore scores 52%.
Manhattans (pictured bottom left)- what can you say about this place, it's way past it's best [we used to frequent it regularly 10yrs ago, but times have changed although Manhattans has not!], and rumours of it's closure are abundant. It only scored 44%.
The Exchange (pictured top right)- this is a great pub and definitely worthy of it's top 4 placing with 72%, if you're passing pop in- we recommend it!

We also travelled to Monmouth recently and whilst there had lunch in the local Wetherspoons- The King's Head (pictured below): although it's your typical Wetherspoons it has some unique features- there's lots of different seating areas, a nice beer garden, a slightly varied, local menu and the service was faultless; worthy of it's 62% score, I'd go there again!

The Former Pubs of Hereford: The Sportsman / Bull's Head

2011-09-28T16:56:00.006+01:00

In the first of a semi-regular feature looking at the former pubs of Hereford we turn our attention to The Sportsman or The Bull's Head as it was formerly known.

The Bull's Head was built in the late 19th century, extended in 1929 and changed its name to The Sportsman in the 1990s before closing abruptly mid-way through the decade and being converted into flats to house migrant workers.Its still just about standing on the corner of Widemarsh Common but missing its roof and surrounded by overgrown wasteland. There have been several fires there in recent years including a major one in 2008 which totally melted the interior.

In 2009 the famous sign which was still hanging next to the derelict pub was taken. It depicted WG Grace and was painted two decades previously by local sign writer Colin Stanley Jones.

More recently the site was brightened up with a Banksy inspired graffiti image of Alice in Wonderland.

Closing time for Hereford venues

2011-09-23T13:31:00.004+01:00

The Old Market Inn has finally closed for business ahead of the long anticipated redevelopment of the cattle market area in Hereford.

It looks a sorry site with the signs removed from the front and its sad to see one of Hereford's longest established pubs finally close. Although its had recent problems with customer service as reported on this site we have fond memories of both the Old Market and its previous guise as the New Market.

Whilst re-reviewing Manhattans (or should that be Manhattan's?) the other night a rumour was floating around that it might be closing in the next couple of weeks.

Certainly the pool tables have seen better days and you would have thought they'd be better looked after if the place has any long-term ambitions. If anyone has any more details on this contact us in the usual way.

Crowded [Public]House

2011-09-21T16:30:00.003+01:00

On Tuesday 20th September 2011 Crowded House took over the airwaves.

Myself and Mr. H were out in town re-reviewing 4 pubs (look out for the blog and reviews to follow soon) and in each pub we visited Crowded House songs were playing. Earlier that same day Karl Kennedy was seen wearing a Crowded House Woodface album t-shirt on Neighbours (as you can see in the screenshots below). To watch the that episode of Neighbours then click here.This is in no way meant to be a criticism of Crowded House, as I own several of their albums, it just seemed odd that everywhere we went their songs were playing. Bearing in mind that we visited such diverse pubs as The Queen's Arms, Manhattan's and The Exchange the coincidence seemed extraordinary.
To find out more information about the band then follow these links:

Remember- wherever you go you always take the weather with you!

We'll keep a welcome in the Valleys

2011-09-16T16:17:00.002+01:00

Recently we have received several reviews from the Rhondda Valleys in South Wales. There seems to be a pair of pissheads there who love to share their experiences with us (and for that we are eternally grateful- thank you Angharad Jones and Luke). Their reviews are too numerous to list individually; but just click here to be directed to the 'Your Reviews' page and scroll down to the Welsh pubs section, to see their comments- happy reading!

Hereford City Pub Geography

2011-09-14T16:57:00.003+01:00

Welcome to the fascinating world of Hereford pub geography which uses the often neglected HM Pub Guide Google Map to calculate some interesting facts about pubs located within Hereford's city limits!

Most Northern Pub: The Starting Gate
Most Southern Pub: The Wye Inn
Most Eastern Pub: The Cock of Tupsley
Most Western Pub: The Bay Horse. Yes we got our facts wrong in a previous blog post!

If you're planning a pub crawl and you're feeling a bit lazy the best places to head for are Commercial Road or Widemarsh Street. Here you can find six pubs all within a 100 metre radius:

Commercial Road 100m pub fest: The Merton, The Kings Fee, The Hop Pole, The Litten Tree, The Long Bar, The Nell Gwynne

Widemarsh Street 100m booze up: The Herdsman, The Old Market, JDs, The Exchange, Saxty's, The Imperial

On the other hand, if you're feeling particularly energetic the greatest distance between two individual pubs is the 4 mile trek between The Bay Horse and The Cock of Tupsley.

To see the full HM Pub Guide map click here. Its an invaluable tool whether you are planning a pub crawl or just fancy rustling up some tenuous pub facts!

The Black Lion, Hereford - Some History

2011-09-08T16:51:00.004+01:00

As we mentioned to in our blog post last week, The Black Lion on Bridge Street, Hereford is in fact the city's oldest pub.

The building itself dates back to 1550 and has much of its original structure still intact. The first floor of the pub includes some magnificent wall paintings thought to be as old as the pub itself which depict people in the act of breaking the ten commandments.

Much of the pub is thought to have been built using timber from ships that never sailed which explains its often creaky and uneven nature.

The building first became and Inn in 1778 and was popular with travellers from the South and traders coming from the Welsh valleys. The stables at the rear of the pub's beer garden, mentioned in our latest review, date from this period.

The Rose and Crown back on top, plus other pubs re-reviewed

2011-09-02T12:35:00.023+01:00

We've recently re-reviewed the Rose and Crown and are pleased to announce that its back at the top of the Official HM Pub Guide Hereford pub league table.

Its still an excellent pub with great food - the gammon with two eggs being a particular favourite!

Also last week we re-assessed:
The Three Counties - A smart hotel bar with a surprisingly nice beer garden. Watch the traffic whizz down Belmont Road as you sip your pint and look out for the big fish that lives in the pond.

Pub fact: The most Westerly pub within the Hereford city limits.

The Black Lion - Still a nice pub with a very large beer garden/courtyard. If you're outside be sure to check out the authentic Victorian(?) stables right at the back of the beer garden.

Pub fact: Claims to be Hereford's oldest pub and who are we to argue!

The Broadleys - A decent pub for a pint or two with a large lounge. Lots of TVs but they seem a bit reluctant to turn them on.

Pub fact: The only pub in Hereford to serve Mansfield bitters.

See the International Space Station from a Beer Garden

2011-08-24T13:04:00.003+01:00

If you've been sat in a beer garden after sunset lately you may have been lucky enough to see a bright light crossing the sky above you. This isn't the result of any UFO activity or having one pint too many - its the International Space Station!

The warm evenings of the late Summer present a great time to view the ISS passing overhead. All you need is for it to be relatively dark and cloud free, and also know when the ISS is passing over.

The excellent Heaven's Above website will tell you exactly when to look upwards. You just need to select your viewing location and it'll do the rest for you. For the latest viewing times from Hereford click here.

What you will see is a small white dot that starts in the West part of the sky, gets steadily brighter as it passes overhead, before fading away as it moves Eastwards and back into the Earth's shadow.

So next time you're in a beer garden after sunset why not see if you can witness this amazing triumph of human achievement and raise a toast to the crew of the ISS floating above in near-Earth orbit.

Scathing review received for The Old Market, plus Cock of Tupsley update

2011-08-18T10:18:00.007+01:00

We've recently received a very bad reader review for The Old Market which again mentions the poor quality of customer service as reported by another reader in a recent blog post.

Peter Cobrin's review rates the pub at just 33 out of a possible 100 points and his attempts to complain have apparently fallen on deaf ears. We'll be sure to check it out ourselves soon and will let you know the official HMPG verdict.

We've also updated our own official HMPG Cock of Tupsley review. Its still a great place for food and accomodating to kids aswell as those who want to avoid them! The final score was an very good 63 out of 100.

Can you find our sign?

2011-08-14T14:06:00.003+01:00

Can you find our sign- pictured above at home on my radiator and below in it's new spot.

This magnetic sign can be found somewhere near the Asda roundabout. If you do find it then feel free to remove it and take it somewhere else. But if you do then send us in a photo of it's new location, so that the hunt can start again; all we ask is that you do not place it in such an area that it obscures any important public information signs.Happy hunting!

Could it be Magic at the Golden Lion?...Errrr...No!

2011-08-11T12:06:00.009+01:00

As exclusively revealed on the HM Pub Guide a few weeks back there is a cockatiel at The Golden Lion in Hereford that looks suspiciously like Magic from legendary 80s kids TV programme Wacaday.

The Hereford Times have picked up on this following a claim made on the Wacaday Wikipedia page that the Golden Lion's cockatiel is the actual Wacaday Magic. The story, as printed on Page 4 of this week's Hereford Times, is shown above and its also featured on their website.

As the story says, it turns out that its not the actual Magic but just a crafty look-a-like. There's even a quote from Timmy Mallet confirming that sadly the real Magic has now passed away and is buried in his garden.

The identity of the Wikipedia prankster remains unknown and the reference to The Golden Lion being Magic's home has now been removed from the online encyclopedia. You can view the original Wikipedia entry before the Magic reference was removed by clicking here.

The HM Pub Guide Calling Card

2011-08-04T12:01:00.004+01:00

When you're out and about in Hereford and beyond keep an eye out for the official HM Pub Guide business cards. These come in two different varieties as shown above.

We also have a larger postcard version pictured below.

If you find any of these cards in a pub its a fair bet that we've recently reviewed it so be sure to check the website for our updated opinions.

All new reviews: The Barrels, Lichfield Vaults, Wye Inn & Spread Eagle

2011-08-01T17:03:00.002+01:00

Last week we re-assessed 4 more Hereford pubs, just click on the pub names below to read the reviews:

The Barrels (pictured top left)- this is a popular town pub with a large, well equipped beer garden. Serves a large selection of Wye Valley Ales although parts the interior could still do with a bit of tidying up.
The Lichfield Vaults (pictured top right)- another pleasant town pub with a surprisingly large beer garden.
The Spread Eagle (pictured bottom right)- this pub used to be very popular with students, although they seem to be frequenting The Barrels now. The front section has been brightened up, and there's a nice big map of western Herefordshire on the wall.
The Wye Inn (pictured bottom left)- this pub has come in for a bit of stick in recent months due to the poor service; however, I'm pleased to announce that this has now improved. There has been a change in emphasis towards food, and it now has a £2, £4, £6 & £8 menu (the same as The Old Market Inn). However, the place desperately needs some redecoration and the seats need re-upholstering- but for a cheap meal you can't go wrong.

Mr H's Theory of Self-Perpetuating Busyness

2011-07-27T12:52:00.006+01:00

We were out on the town again last night re-reviewing some Hereford pubs. If you regularly go out in the week you will have noticed that some pubs are eerily quiet (like the Spread last night) and some are insanely busy (like the Barrels last night).

What is the reason for some pubs always being busier than others when, if you look at them objectively using the HM Pub Guide review form (Patent pending) they score very similarly?

A theory that I'm working on is that some places are busy...because they are busy! Essentially everyone goes to a certain pub simply because everyone else goes there. This might be because all their mates are there or just because of the crowd mentality.

I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad thing - its just an interesting quirk of human nature. I'll keep you all posted on my continued research and next time you are sat in a very full or empty pub its something that you might want to ponder yourself.

Reviews Updated - The Moorfields, The Golden Lion and The Heart of Oak

2011-07-20T16:54:00.003+01:00

A couple of weeks back we were out again re-reviewing some Hereford pubs. We checked out:

The Moorfields (left)
Now a more youthful pub. A bit too loud for us old farts on this visit!

The Golden Lion (right)
Still a locally kind of pub. Worth checking out if only for the zoo. Also a special celebrity appearance as confirmed by Wikipedia.

The Heart of Oak (centre)
A very decent all round pub. Good for food or for just a pint and a game of pool. Also rewards its regulars with its loyalty card scheme.

Service issues at The Old Market Inn

2011-07-15T09:26:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we received the following email regarding The Old Market Inn:
"We have visited this pub on several occasions now usually for breakfast and it has always been very nice. However of late, there have been a few problems. Firstly the service has not been very good and we have received the wrong order and been overcharged. The quality of the food seems to have gone down too. There seems to be a problem whenever the young female staff are on, which is generally a Saturday. I must add that whenever the young gentleman ( I don’t know his name ) is working, he is first class and is always extremely amicable. He is a credit to the pub. It is a great shame as we used to go to Wetherspoons just around the corner and started going there as it was recommended to us."

- I am quite surprised at this as when we have visited the pub the service was good and no mistakes were made, so if anyone out there has any other observations about the service then please add your comments below. If the landlord wishes to reply to the above email then please send your message to us (at: email@hmpubguide.com) and we will forward it on.

Something tells me its all happening at the...Golden Lion?

2011-07-14T13:25:00.015+01:00

As part of our continuing mission to update the reviews of Hereford's pubs we visited the Golden Lion on Grandstand Road the other week.

If you've never been there its well worth a visit if only to check out their most unusual array of animals they have gathered at the back of the pub.

These include a slightly scary parrot...

...A large collection of smaller birds.... ...Magic from Wacaday (remember him!)...It is actually him! Check out the bottom of the Wacaday Wikipedia page! ....And even some fish...There's also a rabbit and another enclosure at the back that may or may not have once housed a goat.

Check back soon for our full review and see how these unusual live exhibits influence our updated score!

Loyalty card at The Heart of Oak

2011-07-12T09:21:00.006+01:00

Last week we visited, amongst other pubs, The Heart of Oak; whilst there we noticed this loyalty card scheme.
About a decade ago (or maybe longer) I remember having a discussion about such cards with Pete & Marina [and then Dave & Vicky] the landlords at The Rose and Crown at the time. I proposed a very similar arrangement to the one now currently in place at The Heart of Oak; however, they decided not to take up the scheme!
Anyway, I am pleased to see that finally, after all the price rises in beer lately, us drinkers are getting something back- well done The Heart of Oak.
To find out more click here to be directed to their official website; and to read our review click here.

Lyme Regis (and surrounding area) pubs reviewed

2011-07-07T19:16:00.009+01:00

Below are reviews of pubs I visited whilst on holiday. They are primarily situated in the lovely Dorset town of Lyme Regis (although there is 1 from Seaton & 1 from Charmouth). Coincidentally some of these pubs were also reviewed by Jo, and so to view the assessment forms simply click on the reviewers name [HMPG or Jo] below.

The Royal Standard: HMPG; Jo

This is a great pub right on the beach, excellent atmosphere and is very friendly.

The Pilot Boat: HMPG; Jo

This is a nice pub in the centre of town, it's pleasant enough (and the food smells nice) but nothing special. I have been here once before (c. 2003) and I'm pleased to say it is much improved since then.

The Harbour Inn: HMPG; Jo

Another pub on the seafront at Lyme, this one boasts excellent views of the "Jurassic Coast". This seems to be the place to be if you like eating fishy things!

The Cobb Arms: HMPG

This is more of a local pub and is more cheep and cheerful than the rest, and caters for families (including the dog!), has a nice aquarium though!

Buena Vida: HMPG; Jo

This is a basement bar/restaurant on the main street and as a result is pretty unique. The view is a bit scary though, was being watched by a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull- see photo below!

Eyre Court, Seaton: HMPG

This pub is near the centre of town not far from the beach, it is very nicely decorated and can only be described as an upmarket local- neither good or bad.

The George, Charmouth: HMPG

This has to be one of my favourite pubs- ever! I've been here a few times and if you're ever in Charmouth then it's definitely worth a visit. There's no better place to spend the evening after a day on the beach fossil hunting. As you may or may not know this area of the coast (The Jurassic Coast) is well known for it's fossils and as such it is a World Heritage Site. I have spent many a happy hour finding amongst other things long dead ammonites and belemnites! Anyway, once you've collected your fossils, head here. The place couldn't be more welcoming and you can even feed a goat in the beer garden!

More reviews coming soon!

2011-06-13T09:17:00.003+01:00

The casual observer might think that the HMPG site has been neglected for a while, but in fact the opposite is true. We have been beavering away behind the scenes to review even more pubs- both in Hereford and around the country. On Saturday I got back from a week away with the family in Lyme Regis, Dorset. A good time was had by all, and more importantly (for this site anyway) several pubs were assessed: 5 from Lyme Regis; 1 from Charmouth; and 1 from across the border in Seaton, Devon.

Check back soon to read these all-new reviews and more! and why not drop us a line about any pubs you visit on your travels.

Updated Reviews: Hop Pole;Volunteer; Victory; Brewers & Salmon

2011-05-10T15:16:00.002+01:00

Last week we revisited and reviewed 5 more pubs in town, just click on the pub names below to read the all-new review:

The Hop Pole (pictured bottom right)- this pub has just reclaimed it's old spot at the top of the leaderboard, with 77%, so why not check it out for yourself- you wont be disappointed.
The Volunteer (pictured bottom middle)- this small pub is tucked away in the side-streets just adjacent to the city centre, and a nice welcome awaits.
The Victory (pictured top left)- it still looks like a ship inside, and is looking a bit worn and old now! But the local beer is good (Hereford Brewery not Spinning Dog) and cheap!
The Brewers Arms (pictured bottom left)- still the same pub that it was 10 years ago (and possibly longer!) but it's much more welcoming than you'd think, and not the local, scary pub you'd think. I've had many a good time in the pool room at the back.
The Salmon Inn (pictured top middle & top left)- this is quite far from town but is nice enough- if nothing special. Haven't heard much about it recently but the food used to be highly recommended- it still might be good, but to be honest I just don't know.

We have also had a review of The Hop Pole sent in by one of our semi-regular reviewers Jo, she gave it an impressive 80% and to see what she really thinks just click here.

Grapes, Watercress Harrys & Saracens Head reassessed

2011-04-11T16:01:00.003+01:00

Last week we re-evaluated 3 town pubs, to read the full reviews just click on the pub names below:

The Grapes (pictured below):

The Grapes has recently been refurbed and it looks all the better for it, the interior is a lot lighter, cleaner, fresher and airier. There was a friendly welcome and lots of comfy seats to choose from; however, the pool table has vanished and there seems to have been a move away from a drinking pub and towards a more meal orientated establishment, and therefore has lost a few marks on it's old score.

The Saracens Head (pictured below left): aka the pub that time forgot, this is exactly the same as it's always been. However it must be said that there was a friendly welcome and the pool area and bar is ok although a bit run down- but it new mark lifts it off the foot of our ranking table.
Watercress Harrys (pictured below right): this is a nice open bar with plenty of tv's and would be good for watching sporting events. But on this visit the barmaid wasn't very nice and the seating isn't very comfy- to be honest I wont be rushing back.

The Live Lounge, Cardiff reviewed & Jo's Grandstand Review

2011-04-08T13:27:00.003+01:00

Whilst visiting Cardiff for the recent Wales v England Euro 2012 qualifier we took the opportunity to review The Live Lounge. Its a great venue to check out live music and the service was good even though it was insanely busy there after the match. To check out the full review click here.

We've also had a review sent in by regular contributor Jo for The Grandstand in Hereford. Jo praises the great deals available in this friendly pub. To see the full review click here.

Reviews Updated - The Imperial, JDs, The Exchange & The Grandstand

2011-04-04T13:09:00.004+01:00

Last month we re-reviewed a bunch of Hereford pubs. Click the below links for the full reviews:

The Imperial (top left) - Still a great pub for a drink and/or a meal.

JDs - (top right) No longer has Sky Sports which is a real shame. Lots of bar snacks though!

The Exchange (bottom left) - Very busy when we visited as the football was on. Featured a guest appearance by The Scary Man!

The Grandstand - Great for pub grub with a large play area for the kids

Check back soon for more updated reviews!

Town pubs get revamped

2011-03-05T17:48:00.004Z

Reports in this week's Hereford Journal state that two local pubs will be given a fresh lease of life. The Grapes is having a month long refit, while the Orange Tree will be transformed into a steak restaurant. To read the full report click here.

New management at The Wye Inn

2011-02-24T12:10:00.006Z

Whilst passing The Wye Inn the other day I noticed this sign. We have had (and heard from you) complaints about the service here under the old regime, therefore we look forward to re-visiting soon to see if there are any improvements with the new management. If anyone else has visited recently then drop us a line and "Wye" not complete a review form!

Every little helps at the Game Cock

2011-02-11T19:40:00.003Z

Several months ago we noticed the closure of The Game Cock on Holme Lacy Road. Building work has now begun there, but unfortunately a refurb is not on the cards- instead they are converting the building into a Tescos Express. At least the beer will be cheaper there now, but another local pub is lost and there are now even fewer pubs south of the river.

Manhattans is anti-Klimaxed!

2011-02-08T12:55:00.002Z

The return of Manhattans

At the end of November 2010 we blogged that Manhattans had been rebranded as "Klimax". We then set about re-assessing the venue, and if truth be told, we were hard pressed to notice any changes.
I was in town this morning and I noticed this new sign. It seems that the slightly gay Klimax rebranding has given way to the former name. As ever we invite you all to send in your reviews- let us know if you notice the change!

Re-reviewed: The Buckingham, The Monument, The Cotterell Arms & The Britannia

2011-02-05T11:37:00.002Z

The other week we were out re-reviewing the pubs of the Whitecross area of the city. On our travels we checked out the four pubs detailed below - click the title of each for the full review:

The Buckingham (Pictured bottom left)
Still a nice little pub and if the smell of the fish and chips is anything to go by, the food is very good too.

The Monument (top right)
This is still a great place to go for watching football with plenty of screens on offer but no TVs in the gents anymore. Very knowledgeable bar staff too who told us all about the subtle differences in the IPA on offer - complete with free samples!

The Cotterell Arms (top left)
It was crib night (isn't it always!). Another of the Time Machine pubs with little change over recent times. There was even an appearance for the retro style Ceefax to check out Hereford United's FA Cup exploits.

The Britannia (bottom right)
After checking this pub out when it was absolutely heaving on the week it re-opened we thought it warranted another visit. It was a lot quieter on the Tuesday we visited but the free pool and good beer makes this pub highly recommended and well worth seeking out.

Missing reviews added

2011-01-29T08:33:00.003Z

Just before Christmas we revisited and reviewed 4 pubs in town- due to the festive chaos we forgot to add these reviews and blog about them for the world to see. So I am know pleased to announce that the all new reviews are available to view, just click on the pub names below:

The Golden Fleece- scored 56%
Spirit (pictured top right)- scored 53%
Klimax (formerly Manhattan's)- scored 46%
The Orange Tree (pictured top left)- scored 54%

Results of the 2010 pub of the year poll

2011-01-12T13:59:00.003Z

Well all the votes are in and have been verified, and we are pleased to announce that that winner of the "2010 Hereford Pub of the Year" as voted for by the readers of the HM Pub Guide is...

... THE TREACLE MINE.

Congratulations to the staff and landlord of this well deserving pub, we hope that you download the following certificate and display it for all to see.

Manhattan's is now Klimax

2010-11-23T19:16:00.002Z

Manhattan's has been rebranded to Klimax. We'll be sure to check it out soon but if you get there first be sure to send us a review.

Away Day Pubs - Lincoln City v Hereford

2010-11-16T13:17:00.003Z

We've done some research on pubs worth visiting for a pre or post-match drink ahead of this weekend's crunch match at Sincil Bank...

At the ground itself the Supporters club behind the South Park Stand admits away fans. As well as a variety of drinks on tap they also serve snacks and hot rolls to keep you going through the match. They also serve Mansfield beers (a must for fans of The Broadleys!)

The nearby High Street has a selection of recommended pubs including The Golden Eagle. This pub is noted for its real ales and has even won awards from supporters of visiting teams.

Also on the High Street is The Ritz which is a Wetherspoons pub so you all know what to expect there. Further along is The Anchor (Previously the Blue Anchor), another historic pub dating back to 1794. The food served here is apparently pretty good too.

Christmas time is here again!

2010-11-14T16:09:00.002Z

Winter is upon us and so our attention is drawn towards the annual HM Pub Guide Pub of the Year viewers vote. If anyone has any suggestions as to which pubs should be included in the poll then please leave your comments below. At the moment the shortlisted pubs are (in no particular order): THE ROSE & CROWN, WETHERSPOONS, THE HOP POLE, THE LITTEN TREE, THE EXCHANGE, THE HEART OF OAK, THE TREACLE MINE, THE LICHFIELD VAULTS, THE MONUMENT, THE GRAPES, THE BRITANNIA, THE BARRELS and THE IMPERIAL.
Check back at the start of December to register your vote for the 2010 Pub of the Year.

More Hereford re-reviews added

2010-11-03T22:44:00.002Z

Last week we visited several pubs (mainly in Commercial Road) and re-evaluated them. First up is The Commercial (pictured below): there have been a few changes here- there interior seems brighter than it was and the area by the pool table has been re-jigged and expanded, and if you're after some peace and quiet then the lounge is the place to be.

Secondly, we visited The Hop Pole (pictured below): this is still a great pub and it'll be interesting to see if the loss of Daryl -the previous landlord- will impact upon the pub.

Thirdly, we visited The Litten Tree (pictured below): this is another popular pub which is justifiably in the top 3. It's hard to find fault with these last 2 pubs and we can only hope that the landlords/managers and staff continue to carry on their good work.

We have also received 3 reader reviews- just click on the reviewer's names below to read their thoughts:

The Bunch of Carrots by Jo and Peter M
The Britannia Inn by "Friendly Neighbour"

Remember to put your clocks back this weekend

2010-10-30T05:45:00.000+01:00

This year the end of British Summer Time shares the day with Halloween. At 2.00 am on Sunday 31 October, the official time across the UK will move back to 1.00 am, as British Summer Time ends for another year. Winter is on the way, but everyone can at least enjoy an extra hour in bed- or an extra hours drinking time- just remember to put your clocks back an hour or you'll be very confused in the morning. For more info click here.

Away Day Pubs - Stockport County v Hereford

2010-10-26T12:52:00.009+01:00

We've asked the Stockport fans over at their Vital Football forum for their tips on the best pubs for Bulls fans to visit before Saturday's match at Edgeley Park...

Forum member Cropped was very helpful giving a whole list of pubs to visit. He drinks in The Armoury (top left) which is just 5 minutes walk from Edgeley Park on Shaw Heath - they serve the locally brewed Robinsons beer and well-behaved away fans are welcome.

Another minute away is The Florist which Cropped also recommends - again Robinson's beers of the highest standard are sold here.

On Castle Street which is just North of the ground is a selection of pubs. The Pineapple is probably best avoided but The Robert Peel on Castle Street is one where away fans sometimes go but the beer there isn't for the purists. Likewise the Prince Albert is popular but the choice of ales is limited.

The Grapes on Castle St is OK but isn't as welcoming as some other pubs. At the bottom of Castle St is the Royal Oak which is a decent pub with good beer.

Cropped's favourite pubs is The Crown (bottom right) under the viaduct on Heaton Lane which has 14 real ales. This is a good 10-15 minute walk from the ground but worth checking out. The Magnet (bottom left) on the A6 usually has at least 10 real ales on and is just up the road from the Crown.

Kid Charlemagne suggests The Blossoms on the A6 with the previously mentioned Florist and Armoury making up a pub crawl to Edgeley Park. The post match atmosphere in these pubs is usually pretty good and with the last train back being at 20.39 why not spend some time either celebrating another great away win or drowning your sorrows depending on the result!

Fire in Hereford- Booth Hall closed

2010-10-25T19:32:00.003+01:00

Last week saw a large fire spread through several premises in High Town; although no one was hurt, many buildings (including The Booth Hall) were damaged or destroyed. To read more about the blaze click on the following links:

If we hear anymore news regarding The Booth Hall pub then we'll post it here, and if anyone has an further information (or photos) then let us know.

Time Machine Pubs

2010-10-20T16:28:00.004+01:00

On our recent travels we've visited a fair few pubs that have been left almost untouched by the modern age. Pubs with an almost timeless quality about them.

Imagine if you will a time traveller from the future were to visit one of these pubs. How would they know what year they were in? What clues would there be to indicate exactly 'when' they were? After a few drinks one night a new game evolved based around this concept - The Time Machine Pub Game (TM)

You too can play along...All you have to do is sit in a pub and look for clues around you that would indicate to that theoretical time traveller what year it was. It may surprise you just how difficult this might be in some pubs.

For a tougher challenge don't allow yourselves to use the anachronism of the nice shiny LCD screen on the wall as a clue - pretend its not there and keep looking for something else to date the pub by.

Oh yeah, and judging the year by the price of a round of drinks is frowned upon by connoisseurs of the art of the Time Machine Pub too.

So far, the earliest dated Time Machine Pub locally was stuck in space year 1977 - If you find any earlier ones yourselves be sure to let us know!

Long Bar, Nell Gwynne, Wye Inn & Gilbies re-reviewed

2010-10-13T15:46:00.003+01:00

Last week saw 4 more Hereford pubs re-reviewed. First up is The Long Bar on Commercial Road (pictured top left)- this is a long, thin bar (hence it's name) in the centre of town, there always seems to be a friendly welcome here but there now seems to be a very sticky floor and certain pool shots are hampered by the thin nature of the building- but no-where's perfect.

Secondly is The Nell Gwynne (pictured top right)- this is a old-style local pub and as such has it's own, unique charm. This is a type of pub we classify as a "time machine pub" as you can't tell from the interior what year you are in (watch out for a future blog post on this topic).

Next up is The Wye Inn (pictured bottom left)- this pub has slipped down the rankings recently and we have had several comments about poor service; however, it's not a bad pub and is worth a visit if you're in the area.

Lastly is Gilbies in High Town (pictured bottom right)- this is more of a bistro than a drinking pub, but there is a lovely courtyard beer garden which takes you away from the hustle and bussle of town life. On our previous visit Frank Carson was drinking there, but on this occasion no celebrities were present (we weren't sure but after checking we are pleased to announce that Frank is still alive and well).

Away Day Pubs - Northampton v Hereford

2010-10-12T13:05:00.009+01:00

Hereford United travel to Northampton this Saturday hoping to build on the excellent home display against Port Vale. We asked the forum members at the Hotel End Northampton Town forum what their recommended pubs for away fans visiting Sixfields are...

Coolcat suggests The Malt Shovel (pictured left). This is handy for those getting the train at just a 5 minute walk from the station. Its located opposite the Carlsbery brewery but is an oasis for real ales including local Great Oakley ales as well as an array of guest ales. The food is good there too. Its a couple of miles from the stadium but is definitely worth checking out - the bus service is pretty handy both for here and the stadium. There's also a decent Wetherspoons in the city centre called The Cordwainer which has a pretty good beer garden.

As you follow the route from the station towards Sixfields you'll travel along St James Road and Weedon Road and past a selection of pubs. Of these Coolcat says the Thomas a Becket (centre) is a decent shout with Sky TV, a pool table and the usual selection of lagers and bitters. Along the same road is The Foundry Tavern which might also be worth a look but Coolcat suggests The Rover is probably one to avoid.

On the Sixfields complex itself is the Sixfields Tavern (right) which Abington Cobbler says has recently been admitting away fans with the Old Orleans or the Megabowl as a backup if not.

Lets hope it'll be another improved performance following the thankfully short Davey days. It might be Jamie Pitman's last match in charge and it'd be great for him to go out on a winning note. The last couple of weeks have shown that Jamie may well have a future as a manager - he certainly gets the players motivated and playing in the same energetic way as he used to play himself.

Toilet signage at The Grapes- UPDATE

2010-09-29T20:43:00.005+01:00

Finally there's new toilet signage at The Grapes...

Ever since this website was founded there has been reports of vanishing toilet door signs at The Grapes. We first reported the issues in an early blog back in March 2007, and it is even mentioned in the Official HMPG Review- where we invite you all to play the game: "Will the gent's door have a sign on?" However, I am now pleased to report that there is new, clear signage there now, as you can see by these photos. This might seem like a trivial thing- and indeed it is- but little things like this make all the difference, a few easy points can be won or lost, which could mean the difference of a few ranking places. For the moment I will sleep easy knowing that all the customers of The Grapes know where to spend a penny lol

Away Day Pubs - Barnet v Hereford

2010-09-24T14:05:00.008+01:00

Will Simon Davey be drinking at the Last Chance Saloon?

Hereford United travel to fellow League Two strugglers Barnet on Saturday for what is already looking like a relegation crunch match. With (some) small glimmers of hope on display at Tuesday night's home defeat to Stevenage, Hereford's more optimistic fans will be hoping the match offers a chance to turn around recent fortunes and kick start our faltering season.

My own opinion is that a defeat at Barnet would leave the board little choice but wave goodbye to Simon Davey and start looking for another manager. Just how realistic this may be and how viable financially this actually is only Mr Keyte and Mr Russon will know. What is clear is that a loss on Saturday would leave United adrift at the foot of the table and already looking ominously towards the Blue Square Premier.

If you are travelling down for Saturday's match and are looking to calm your nerves ahead of this potential six-pointer with a pre-match drink we've done some research into the best Barnet pre-match pubs...

A favoured pub with away fans is The Old Red Lion (pictured left) - this is located behind the North Entrance to Underhill. The pub has plenty of room, a selection of real ales and also serves food. Note that the supporters club at the ground itself does not allow away supporters.

For those travelling by train, The Railway Bell is opposite the station which is a Wetherspoons pub so always a safe bet.

Also in Barnet itself at the top of Barnet Hill are The Misty Moon (pictured right) - Formerly the Moon Under the Water - and The King John which both welcome away supporters.

At the bottom of the hill is The Queen's Arms (pictured right) which is a Sports Bar offering real ale and big screens for any TV matches.

Here's hoping that the Bulls can make it their 2nd away win of the season and start the climb up the table. Despite Tuesday's heavy defeat there were signs that we can actually play a bit when we keep it on the deck and look to create chances rather than favouring the random punt upfield. Keep the faith!

The Sky at Night

2010-09-22T20:34:00.003+01:00

Last night while walking home from the pub, my gaze wandered skyward. What greeted me was a gorgeous view of a nearly full moon with Jupiter just below, not to mention Uranus! A bit of research tonight has revealed that it is a Harvest Moon- and that tomorrow night is the Autumn Equinox. It also turns out that Jupiter is closer to now than it has been since 1963, and it won't be this close again until 2022! I urge you all to go outside and look up to the heavens and ponder our place in the universe- it really is worth it.
I won't go into anymore detail here but for more information on the autumnal Equinox and other astronomical features then the EarthSky website is particularly helpful.

Live Long and Prosper

Away Day Pubs - Bury v Hereford

2010-09-15T12:30:00.003+01:00

Hereford United travel to Gigg Lane on Saturday to face Bury. After their recent performances we can definitely recommend some liquid refreshment before-hand to make the on-field activity more enjoyable!

Members of the The Mighty Shakers forum have recommended some away fan friendly pubs that travelling Hereford fans might want to check out...

DJAsh says the Rose and Crown is worth a visit with four real ales on offer and there might even be some free hot pot available after the match. You'll find this pub on the Manchester Old Road about 10 minutes walk from the ground. Bradley1 also compliments the way it supports their local football team - sadly a rarity for modern pubs.

Vinny suggests The Swan and Cemetery which is about 7 minutes walk South of the ground along the Manchester Road. They serve traditional Thwaites beer with good food.

If your heading along the Manchester Road, Bradley1 also advises a trip to The Wellington.

In the centre of Bury, The Trackside is located on the platform of the East Lancs Railway. Cabinboy says they have nine handpumps with real ales plus a good selection of ciders and perries along with several continental bottled ales.

At the ground itself is the Bury FC Social Club. Forum member Pedr ap Gwilym says the beer is good and the atmosphere is excellent and they show the early Sky TV matches there. He says all away fans are very welcome - they even let Rochdale supporters in there last year!

If you're one of the (likely) few Hereford fans travelling to the match have a safe trip. Things on the pitch have surely got to improve soon. I have a sneaky feeling we may at least score a goal on Saturday!

Rose & Crown reviews

2010-09-08T12:08:00.003+01:00

Last week we visited what was the highest ranked pub in Hereford- The Rose and Crown. We re-reviewed the pub and I am pleased to announce that not only does it retain it's 1st place but it increased it's score ( by 1%) to an impressive 75%. To read our review of what we consider "The best Pub in Hereford" - the stats can't lie- click here.
We have also received 2 more reviews of The Rose and Crown, from Jo and Peter M- both praise the food and the friendliness. Over the years we have had several reviews sent in, to access these easily click on the names below:

Jo; Peter M; Chris B; Chris&Diane; Khriss Smith; Andrew Bryne.

For more information about The Rose and Crown visit their website at:
http://www.gkpubs.co.uk/pubs-in-hereford/rose-and-crown-pub/

Pool&Snooker@Hereford

2010-09-08T11:50:00.003+01:00

Recently we HM Pub Guiders fancied a pool and snooker night, therefore we boldly ventured out 'round town and assessed 2 previously un-reviewed establishments (just click on the pub names below to read our reviews):

Pool and Sports Bar:

This is a refurb of The Blue Rooms in Berrington Street, which has been nicely done. There are 6 pool tables (50p a game) and there is a large screen on the back wall. Although on this occasion it was pretty quiet I would highly recommend any pool playing folk out there to give it a try.

Hereford Snooker & Pool Centre:

There is a small bar downstairs next to the pool tables. However, it is upstairs where we spent most of our time- as there are 6 full size snooker tables here. If you like or fancy trying your luck on the green baize then it's definitely worth a visit.

Cardiff pubs reviewed

2010-09-08T11:39:00.002+01:00

A few weeks ago Jo visited Cardiff for her sister's hen night, by the sounds of it a good night was had by all; and more surprising is the fact that she remembered enough to be able to review 2 of the places they visited (click on the pub names below to read her reviews).

The Great Western (Wetherspoons) - This is your typical Wetherspoons and is a good place to start your night out in. They also do a good fry up for the morning after!
Tiger Tiger Club - This is a lively, happening place where private booths with karaoke are available.

Away Day Pubs - Burton v Hereford

2010-09-01T09:40:00.003+01:00

Hereford travel to Burton on Saturday to an area of the world famous for its breweries. With this in mind we've done some digging to find out the best places for travelling Hereford fans to sample some local beers.

The Pirelli Stadium is located a short distance from the old site of Eton Park. A typical modern stadium, it is worth noting though that there is a small bar specifically for away fans within the ground itself.

From the ground, a ten minute walk away from town along the Derby Road will lead you to The Beech Inn. The pub serves food and there's also a McDonalds nearby.

Also a short walk from the ground along Wetmore Road is The Great Northern which is renowned for its local ales.

Nearer the centre of Burton there is a wider range of pubs. From the station turn right for The Roebuck which is a Burton Ale House pub. This offers a good selection of beers as well as live football via Sky Sports.

On the right hand side of Station Street is the Devonshire Arms on the corner of Milton Street. This has a variety of guest ales and also serves good food.

Heading from the town centre and towards the stadium will take you along Derby Street towards The Alfred. This serves Burton Bridge beers and also has a good range of food.

Wherever you go here's hoping that Hereford United will have a good trip and the goals will finally start to flow as freely as the beer in the local pubs.

London Pubs Reviewed

2010-08-20T13:37:00.014+01:00

A couple of weeks ago we made the trip to London for a bit of a impromptu Uni flat reunion. The trip was also a great opportunity to rate some London pubs.

We left the tube at Oxford Street and after a bit of a wander we found ourselves at The Montagu Pyke. This is more or less your typical Wetherspoons but might be of historic interest to some as it was the location of the Marquee club in the early 80s.

It was then on to Piccadilly and our travels took us to the Tiger Tiger bar. This is a more exclusive kind of a venue including a special roped off VIP area. Unsurprisingly it was also very expensive - £4.20 for a pint of Stella!

A wander past Buckingham Palace took us towards our final port of call and the focal point for the Hertha 139 Flat Re-union 2010 - The King's arms. Located just around the corner from Victoria Station this was much more of a traditional pub.

Maybe it was the fact that I was quite beered up by this point and the reminiscing of our old Uni days had reached a high point but I really liked The Kings Arms. Sure its a bit rough around the edges and the 'retro' decor might be frowned upon by some but nobody can deny that this place has character. And the Fish and Chips we had there was pretty good too.

There was talk of a more extended London booze up for the Hertha 139 crew in the not too distant future and as ever we'll take the opportunity to review a few more pubs in the process.

Away Day Pubs - Chesterfield v Hereford

2010-08-16T12:32:00.005+01:00

Hereford United are due to visit Chesterfield's brand new B2net stadium on Saturday so we thought we'd ask some Chesterfield fans over at the Bob's Board forum for some away friendly pubs.

DalekPete says there are a number of pubs within comfortable walking distance of the ground ranging from the modern food-based pubs through to the more traditional venues offering a choice of real ales. As its still early days for the new stadium there are no official 'away' pubs yet but most places should be accomodating.

Keith emailed us to suggest The Donkey Derby which is the largest pub near the stadium. This is mainly a food pub but welcomes football supporters. As an added bonus you can park at the pub too - usually this costs £5.00 but if you eat there they'll apparently refund your fiver.

Closer to the Stadium, Keith also mentions the Rose and Crown but this seems to be mainly for home fans on match days.

DJS recommends The Derby Tup as a must visit pub. Its located just 400 yards north of the ground and features a selection of real ales at the bar. It should be open from mid-day and is a traditional drinkers pub but Keith warns it can get a little cramped.

Update 19/08/2010 - Hilary from the Derby Tup has emailed us to say they'll have 13 real ales plus lager on tap on Saturday. Also, although they don't serve food everyone is welcome to bring in food purchased from other outlets.

Further along is the Travellers rests and just past Lidl is The Red Lion which might also be worth a look.

Several other visiting fans have also recommended The Rutland. This features in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and is ideal for those travelling by train. Also serving good food, The Rutland is located in the city centre just next to Chesterfield's famous crooked spire.

Many thanks for all the contributions from the forum and for Keith's helpful email. If you are travelling up on Saturday and visit a pub don't forget to send us your reviews.

Rise in Beer Prices

2010-08-14T10:10:00.005+01:00

Last week the newspapers were full of stories about how the price of beer is set to rise dramatically. This is chiefly attributed to a poor barley harvest in eastern Europe and Russia's decision to lower grain exports. However, with the increase in VAT imminent and the associated alcohol tax increases next year many experts are forecasting a £4 pint by 2011!

To read more on these stories click on the following links:

Even more Hereford re-reviews

2010-08-13T12:55:00.003+01:00

Last week we continued our quest to find the best pub in Hereford by re-reviewing 4 more pubs, just click on the pub names below to read the reviews:

Wetherspoons- The King's Fee

This is a nice enough pub but it depends on what you're looking for as to whether you'll like it, there's good cheap beer- with lots of guest ales, but I would say that the place lacks a bit of atmosphere due to the lack of music, tv's, pool tables etc. but that being said the pub is ideally placed (at the heart of Commercial Road) to start your night out here and maybe move on to look for more entertainment later on. As such it scores an impressive 73% which puts it 3rd in the rankings.

The Merton

Almost directly opposite Wetherspoons is The Merton, and it couldn't be more different. This is a quiet, cozy bar which is nice enough and it does have a strange selection of lagers on tap! It scored a pretty average 55% which leaves it in 36th place.

The Old Market Inn

Just round the corner from Commercial Road is The Old Market, this is a fairly modern refurbed pub and is as good now as it's ever been. However, on this visit all lagers were off and no explanation was forthcoming- otherwise very nice though. It scored a creditable 65% which puts it just outside the top ten in 12th place.

Saxty's

This is another nice town pub that had a refurb a few years ago, it seems to be aiming at a "classier" clientelle than the pubs around it- which is fair enough and it is always welcoming enough. It scored 59% which leaves it in 21st place.

Litten Tree and Exchange Reviews

2010-08-13T12:26:00.009+01:00

The other week I visited The Litten Tree and The Exchange with one of our semi-regular reviews- Jo. To read the Official HM Pub Guide reviews click on "HMPG" and to read Jo's assessment click on "Jo" below.

The Litten Tree- HMPG; Jo

We started the evening here, mainly because we were hungry and the food deals looked good- and they were! There were lots on offer, both food wise and at the bar and 2 for the price of 1 on deserts. Although I felt that the pub needs a pool table- hence our visit to ....

The Exchange- HMPG; Jo

This pub has real character, after a few games of pool (where I won) we settled down a corner and made use of the jukebox- which Jo was particularly impressed with.

These are two great pubs in the centre of Hereford, they are ranked 4th and 5th in our league table and would recommend you all to try them out- and if you do then why not send in a review of your own!

Away Day Pubs - Crewe v Hereford

2010-08-03T13:12:00.004+01:00

The football season kicks off on Saturday and Hereford United's first match is an away day at Crewe Alexandra. With this in mind we asked the friendly forumers over at Crewe Mad for their tips on pubs for Hereford fans to visit pre and post match.

Chalkdust suggests The Hops on Prince Albert Street and The Borough Arms on Earle Street (both around 1 mile North of the ground - click map to enlarge). Both pubs are great for real ales and foreign beers and The Borough Arms was recently named South Cheshire Pub of the Year.

Also in this area of the city is The Kings Arms which has good value beer from the Beartown Brewery, plenty of entertainment on offer as well as lunchtime baps if you're getting peckish.

Nearer the ground is The Last Orders Inn which CrewieBoy suggests is well worth a visit. This is very popular with away fans and just 5 minutes from the ground. Beer is available from £1.40 a pint which can't be bad and although they don't serve food the landlord allows food to be brought in from the many takeaways along Nantwich Road.

The Barrel and The British Lion are also recommended as well as The Brunswick which is a Greene King Pub. Chalkdust also says the chippy next to the Alex is pretty good.

PaulNevitt1981 recommends the Cheshire Cheese which is just up Gresty Road beyond Mornflake Oats (Crewe's shirt sponsor and main porridge provider in the UK), under a bridge and round a bend. This is a nice surburban pub with a good selection of ale and two for one meal deals. There is plenty of parking available and its just half a mile from the ground.

For the less adventurous, a Wetherspoons can be found near the centre of Crewe near the bus station.

Thanks again to all the contributions from everyone at the Crewe Mad forum. If you are travelling up have a safe trip and here's hoping for a winning start to the season for The Bulls. And if you do visit one of the pubs mentioned why not send us your own review in the usual way.

Photo Gallery Updated

2010-07-25T12:08:00.006+01:00

It's taken a while but we have now fully updated the gallery section. As well as pictures of every pub in Hereford, plus many from around the country, there are some nice scenic pictures we've taken whilst on our pub guide travels- added to this section are also some nice views of our home town of Hereford (some of which you can see here).

For a shortcut to the Gallery sections click on the following link: Main Gallery Page

If you have any pictures to add then just email them into us at the usual address: email@hmpubguide.com or simply join our Facebook group page and upload them there.

Whitecross pubs re-reviewed

2010-07-23T18:39:00.006+01:00

Last August we re-reviewed 4 pubs in this area of town, click here to read the corresponding blog post. In that post we promised to re-review the other pubs in this area. Well I am pleased to announce that those reviews are now completed. To read the all-new reviews click on the pub names below:

The Britannia

This pub has been completely gutted and re-built inside, as it's so new it has had it's own blog post below "Britannia Reborn" it's definitely worth a look and scored an impressive 64% which leaves it just outside the top 10.

The Plough

This pub can be described as very average which is exemplified by it's mark of 54% and its position in the mid-table at number 37. It's neither that good or that bad, but a good pint can be had here- which is all that really counts.

The Horse and Groom

We expected the H&G to be bit of a scary local pub, but this was not entirely true, the place was quite welcoming added to by the fact that going in there is like going through a time warp to the late 1970's- that is until you buy a drink, then you get yanked back to the future with 2010 prices! It scored a rather disappointing 45% which could easily be improved with a bit of investment.

The Britannia Reborn

2010-07-16T19:12:00.002+01:00

Last night we visited the all-new Britannia on Cotterell Street. What greeted us was not what we expected.

The interior has been completely gutted and rebuilt, and instead of the tired, old decor a modern, bright and vibrant pub has been created. This is a vast improvement on the old "Britannia Arms" days and we would recommend you all to try out what we can only describe as: " the most changed and improved pub in Hereford."

Preliminarily, we have scored The Britannia with 63%- this is a great improvement on it's old score of 48%, and puts it just outside the top 10. We will revisit and re-review the pub in a few months, to see how things are settling in. But in the meantime we would like to wish the landlord/landlady all the best in this new venture.If anyone else has visited the new Britannia then let us know what you think, and why not fill in an on-line assessment form by clicking here.

Drunken Aussie survives attempt to ride croc

2010-07-14T12:21:00.004+01:00

A man who had too much to drink is recovering today after he attempted to ride a 16-foot saltwater crocodile at a zoo in Australia and was bitten in the leg.The 36-year-old man broke into the wildlife park after he was thrown out of a bar. He tried to sit on one of the crocodiles, named Fatso (pictured above), and give him a pat on the head. Police say Fatso didn't appreciate the gesture and bit him.
"Fatso has taken offense to this and has spun around and bit this man on the right leg," Sgt. Roger Haynes of Broome said in a press conference.
The zoo's owner, Malcolm Douglas, said the cool weather may have saved the man's life. "They're cold-blooded animals, so their reflexes slow down," Douglas stated: "If it had been a hot night, he would have been dead."
After sustaining a nasty flesh wound, the man headed back to the bar where he had been kicked out before his reptilian romp. Mark Phillips, the bar's manager, said that the man returned to the pub that night with pieces of bark sticking out of his leg. He's expected to fully recover.You can read more on this story by clicking here.

Your Very Own (Inflatable) Pub

2010-07-11T16:36:00.002+01:00

With all the pubs up for sale or to let in Hereford there surely hasn't been a better time to get your hands on your very own pub.

But what happens if you want your own, easily transportable, assemble anywhere kind of pub? Here's your answer...The Kilderkin Inflatable Pub!

For a mere £5,275 this 6x6 metre, assembled in 6 minutes piece of high technology could be yours!

4 more Hereford Pubs re-reviewed

2010-07-07T14:25:00.002+01:00

Last week saw an interesting night out for us HM pub guiders, we visited four very different establishments. Just click on the pub names below to read the new reviews:

The Heart of Oak

This is a great pub, very little has altered since our last visit, this obviously isn't a bad thing as the pub retains it's 3rd place ranking.

The Lichfield Vaults

Another high ranking (6th) town pub; however, this place has seen some changes: the area towards the back of the pub has been opened up and is much brighter and airier; and, the beer garden has also had a facelift- but on the downside the old 'Easter Island' statues are gone and are sorely missed (by me)!

The Oxford Arms

We're slipping down the rankings now, the 'Arms' only manages to come out in 33rd place, but that isn't as bad as it sounds. There are definitely some good aspects, such as: the separate bar, lounge and pool rooms; and an extensive grassed beer garden- which is great for a summer's evening drink.

The Herdsman

We're definitely heading in to "local pubs for local people" here, but it's not as intimidating as I remember. It's lowly 51st placed ranking can be attributed to it being a small, slightly shoddy bar but a bit of TLC would do it a world of good.

New Photo Gallery!

2010-06-28T12:01:00.004+01:00

As mentioned by Mr M we have now updated our photo gallery section.

The new gallery is split into Hereford pubs and Non Hereford pubs and even allows users to add their own comments to each of the photos.

Be sure to check back regularly for newly added pictures and remember to keep emailing in your own pub photos!

UPDATE 01/07/2010: We've now also added a Scenic Photos gallery of nice pictures taken on our travels

The Carrots and The Wye

2010-06-26T19:29:00.004+01:00

Last week we visited a pub in Hampton Bishop, just outside Hereford- The Bunch of Carrots (pictured below). To read the review just click here. What greated us was a lovely country pub and it's definitely worth a visit if you're passing.

We have also received a rather unflattering review of the Wye Inn (pictured below). To read J Smythe's full review click here. If anyone else has visited the Wye lately let us know what you think- is this review a true reflection of the present state of the pub or was it a one-off bad experience.

Check back soon to visit our all new and expanded gallery section.

Where to watch the World Cup

2010-06-18T10:30:00.002+01:00

We're a week into the World Cup now so undoubtedly many pints have been drunk in the pubs of our city. With this in mind I was wondering which one provides the best "World Cup Experience." As well as having lots of TV's do some pubs have special promotions on during matches, or any other footie orientated events. Post your comments below so that the rest of us can watch the football in the best place in town.

2010-06-17T12:23:00.004+01:00

Last week I took the family for an enjoyable holiday in Tenby, whilst there I managed to review a few pubs- just click on the pub names below to read the reviews:

Quay Room

This is a lovely little establishment in one of the oldest part of town, ideal for a quiet drink with the missus- which was handy as it was our anniversary when we went there!

Wiseman's Bridge Inn

This pub is ideally situated on the beach at Saundersfoot- stunning sea views and a nice pint- highly recommended.

Tenby House

Large, happening pub in the centre of Tenby. Lots of entertainment and games provided; and has a large, well equipped beer garden. Great atmosphere there- well worth a visit.

Treacle Mine claims a top 5 ranking

2010-06-03T11:12:00.003+01:00

On Tuesday (after a prolonged, unavoidable break) we managed to mosey on in to town and re-asses 4 pubs, to read the all-new reviews just click on the pub names below:

The Treacle Mine

This pub has seen a marked improvement since the new management team have taken over, their new position as the 5th best pub, with an overall mark of 70% is a testament to this- keep up the good work!

The Spread Eagle

This pub too has a new landlord; however, so far little seems to have changed. The back bar seems slightly brighter and cleaner, but the beer garden has seen the greatest improvement since our last visit (see photo above).

The Black Lion

Again a new landlord is in residence here, it certainly is a time of upheaval and change in the pubs of Hereford! The only change that we noticed to this charming, traditional pub is the addition of a pool table (see above).

The Kerry

What can you say about this place- it's geared towards the Friday/Saturday night binge drinking youngsters. There's very little furniture (apart from the back corner- see photo above) and on a typical mid week evening there's just no atmosphere. They have added a small smoking yard, but to be honest I'd give this a miss; but who knows, it might be just your cup of tea!

Bouncers Beware!

2010-06-01T08:53:00.004+01:00

From today (1st June 2010) all door staff must hold a licence issued by the Security Industry Authority (SIA). To see the full news story click here.

By a strange twist of fate- about a month ago at work I had to complete the 'Level 2 Door Supervisors Course' (even though I have no plans to be a bouncer!). Therefore I am in an ideal position to comment upon any bouncer issues that arise during our pub guiding sessions. I must say that I have never had any problems with the bouncers (or door supervisors to give them their proper name) in Hereford, and I can only hope that the new SIA licensing laws will fulfil their aims, that is: to ascertain the suitability of customers to be allowed on the premises, and to maintain order on those premises. Above all the SIA aims to design, set, maintain and raise the national standard for door supervisors; as previously the level of skill and competency in this area has varied enormously. For more information on the SIA, visit their website by clicking here, and for more specifics on Door Supervisors' licensing click here.

Herefordshire's Grumpiest Landlord

2010-05-27T12:55:00.003+01:00

As reported in this week's Hereford Times, The Ewe and Lamb in Kington takes great pride in having the grumpiest landlord in Herefordshire.

Know of any grumpier local landlords or are there even any particularly jolly ones you think we should know about? Let us know in the usual way...

Amusing Pub Signs

2010-05-08T12:43:00.005+01:00

See any of your own? Why not send them in or leave a link in the comments

Confusion at The Wye Inn

2010-05-04T11:02:00.002+01:00

Last night the entire HM Pub Guide Team (along with their partners and children) decided to go out for a meal to celebrate Mr M's birthday. We decided to go to The Wye Inn as it is close and has a large play area for the kids. However, our evening was ruined by the fact that after ordering a round of drinks, and consulting the menu, we went to order food- only to be told that the kitchen was closed. There were no notices to say this, in fact the opposite was the case- whilst walking through the car park there were 2 notice boards stating the restaurant opening times. Upon sitting at the tables, menus were placed all around and there was salt and vinegar pots on every table. I don't so much mind the fact that the kitchen was closed, it's just the underhand way they went about pretending that nothing was different to normal. So I'm sorry to say that I will be not entering the premises for a few months in protest, I might not even go back there till we have to (in a year or so) re-review it! Harsh words I know, but they really p*#@ed me off- it's up to you to make your own minds up.

2010 Election manifestos

2010-05-02T10:42:00.003+01:00

The three main party have now published their manifestos. I’ve had a look at what they say about how they would deal with alcohol issues. The following are direct quotes from each of the manifestos. As you will see there is a focus on treatment and criminal justice interventions with very little emphasis on education or prevention. Although I would advise against basing your voting preference solely on these issues.

Herefordshire landlord to hold own cider elections

2010-04-27T13:51:00.009+01:00

As previously mentioned on the blog, one of the key issues for the people of Herefordshire at the forthcoming general election is what each of the parties plan to do about the proposed tax increase on cider.

Matt Slocombe of the Crown Inn at Woolhope has made it his mission to find out once and for all by holding a National Cider election over the bank holiday weekend.

Matt also appeared on The Politics Show on Sunday to question local candidates about their plans for cider duty (The Hereford segment of the programme starts at around 42:12 and Matt's question is at about 45:50).

Site Maintenance - Complete!

2010-04-25T09:32:00.006+01:00

Thanks for bearing with us while we completed our site maintenance. For those technically minded people we've now migrated the blog part of the site so that it is hosted by Blogger rather than ftp-ed to our own domain!

The site should be as fully functional as ever but if you happen to find anything that's not working as it should please drop us a line at the usual address - email@hmpubguide.com

Pub football in 3D

2010-04-20T13:06:00.005+01:00

As has been much publicised selected Premier League matches are now available to watch in 3D at pubs across the country.

In Hereford, The Monument has been kitted out with all the gear needed to view the games in 3D. Punter's opinions on the experiment seem to be mixed. Many point out that stadium shots and on-screen graphics look great but the 3D doesn't add much to the actual football shots.
Have any of our readers checked out a 3D match yet? If so let us know your thoughts.

My own personal opinion is that the whole 3D phase we are going through at the moment will be something of a passing fad. I may be proved wrong as the technology improves but until they find a reliable way to pull off the 3D effect to a mass audience without the dodgy glasses I can't see it taking off in the long run.

Anyway, if punters want to take their football experience to the next level surely a trip to their local football stadium is the best way - and of course you can always nip to the pub or adjoining bar (hint: Radfords!) after the match for some post match analysis over a couple of pints.

Amazing House of Beer Mats

2010-04-12T18:49:00.004+01:00

Once upon a time the HM Pub Guide asked that most important of questions: Where have all the beer mats gone?

This story over featured on the BBC website explains where 300,000 of them went. The video shows a Guinness World Record beating 'House of Beer Mats'. And what's more, record breaker Sven Goebel had to knock it all down afterwards to prove he hadn't used any glue!

The Wurzels- I am a Cider Drinker

2010-04-09T20:35:00.002+01:00

Who'd have thought that a 10% tax on cider could cause such an uproar! Due to popular demand I've scoured youtube and found the 1976 classic (I use the word classic in it's broadest sense here) "I am a Cider Drinker" by The Wurzels, enjoy.

10% Tax on Cider Scrapped

2010-04-09T20:06:00.006+01:00

CIDER drinkers were celebrating last night after humiliated ministers had to dump a tax grab on the drink.

The start of the election campaign has badly affected the government's remaining legislative programme. The Tories forced them to back down on plans to ramp up duty by ten percent. The opposition warned they would only pass the Budget in the Commons today if the move was ditched.

Alistair Darling's tax-grab in last month's Budget sparked a web and Twitter campaign to save the British tipple from being priced beyond drinkers' pockets. The Wurzels- who sang "I Am A Cider Drinker"- joined the backlash. But a deal was thrashed out yesterday in talks between the Treasury and shadow chief secretary Philip Hammond.

Tory leader David Cameron said: "The attack on cider drinking was misinformed and wrong. They should have copied our policy properly, which is only targeting the high-strength drinks."

He added: "This is victory for the Conservatives on day one of the election campaign. More importantly, it's a victory for cider lovers and the producers facing disaster. But the threat remains. Gordon Brown had made clear the tax will go up if he wins."

Last night Wurzels star Tommy Banner said: "It's brilliant news. Me and the band will definitely be celebrating with a few pints of cider."

To read more on this story, and other election news, click here.

The happiest job in the world? Probably!

2010-04-09T14:47:00.001+01:00

Workers at Danish brewer Carlsberg have gone on strike for a second day prompting fears of a World Cup lager shortage. UK supplies should be OK as most of our Carlsburg is brewed in Northampton and Leeds but what is really interesting is the reason for the strike...

Warehouse workers and drivers are striking as the company are now limiting the drinking of alcohol to worker's lunch breaks. Previously free beer was available to all on the factory floor and even drivers were encouraged to get beered up during working hours. Alcohol locks were in place on vans though to ensure no drivers were over the legal limit.

It seems that health and safety laws have finally caught up with the Danish firm. Maybe it could be argued that their policy of free beer for all was the ultimate in quality control though. What better way to ensure an excellent product than to allow the workers to help themselves to the finished article as they worked!

Link-up with Hereford United forum site

2010-04-05T16:44:00.002+01:00

Beer and football go together too well; therefore we are pleased to announce that we are in the final negotiation to link up with an unofficial Hereford United fans forum and chat website. Shortly we will have a link box on the left of this screen (next to the facebook one). Until this link is finalised, click here to go to the HUFC forum website.
This cross-pollination between the two sites will give more exposure and easy access to more data, enabling both websites to increase their readership thereby increasing the 'reader experience' for everyone.

The North/South divide in Hereford

2010-04-03T14:42:00.013+01:00

The south of Hereford is lacking in amenities compared to the north bank of the Wye, this includes the number of pubs. Although several have closed (e.g. The Ship), some (like The Treacle Mine) have re-opened, but what we don't know is which is the best. Just click on your favourite below, and feel free to leave any comments; and if I've left off your favourite pub then vote for "other" but write the pub name in the comments section below the poll.

Pub Review from Latvia!

2010-04-02T18:39:00.001+01:00

A big thanks to Erik Hoff who has sent us a review of the Victory Pub in Riga, Latvia. Erik was very impressed with the 20 varieties of beer on offer, the good quality food and the wide range of activities. Check out his full review here.

A quick web search reveals The Victorys own website which features some impressive karaoke exploits!

Don't forget to put your clocks forward this weekend!

2010-03-26T10:21:00.007Z

This weekend sees the end of winter and the official start of spring, as British Summer Time begins. Don't forget to move your clocks forward 1 hour at 1am on Sunday 28th March, the change will mean darker mornings but lighter evenings.
On a personal note I'm well annoyed because I have to start work at 6am on Sunday, so after loosing an hours sleep it will feel like me getting up at 4am instead of the usual 5. Can't wait till the end of October when the clocks go back an hour so we get more sleep, although knowing my luck I'll be working nights then so will have to work the extra hour- can't we just stick to Greenwich Mean Time and leave the clocks as they are!

Tax up on Cider from Midnight on Sunday

2010-03-25T13:16:00.002Z

Drinkers across the county have been appalled by Alistair Darling's decision to increase the tax on cider by 10% above the rate of inflation. Already the protests are starting with a Downing Street petition launched and even a Facebook campaign to get the Worzel's classic 'I am a Cider Drinker' to number one in protest.

While minsters argue that the tax increase will discourage underage drinking, many cite the hike as unfair. Cider has traditionally be subject to a lower level of taxation than other drinks due to the high set-up costs compared to beer brewing and the time taken to turnover the product.

Its seems that once again the nation's pubs will feel the pinch more than anyone with the price of a pint down your local increasing by an estimated 20p. Going back 20 to 30 years a pint in a pub would cost you around twice as much as the equivalent from a supermarket. Its now estimated that the difference could be typically 4 or 5 times that amount.

Surely a fairer way would be to distinguish the taxation between those drinks served on tap at pubs and those bottled or canned drinks available from Supermarkets and off-licences. If the tax rises are being justified as ways of combating underage drinking such a distinction between off-licence and pub taxation would lead to more people drinking in the sociable environment of their local pub than getting boozed up at home or on the streets.

Rave Reader Reviews for Treacle Mine

2010-03-22T17:01:00.002Z

We've received a couple of glowing reader reviews for the recently re-opened Treacle Mine.

Keith Marshall is a regular there and highly recommends the Gammon and Egg roll. Click here for Keith's full review.

Julie and Sue Paton made a lunch time visit and praise the welcoming and friendly atmosphere. Click here to read their full review.

What are fathers meant to do? -sexism in pubs

2010-03-19T10:00:00.004Z

Whilst visiting a pub last week I noticed the above toilet signs, this got me to thinking what does a bloke do if the baby he's with needs a nappy change. I have a 10 week old son, and quite often we have a wander round town; if he's due a feed then I'd happily pop into a pub, and it's milk for him and a pint for me. But what happens after that? He invariably dirties his nappy halfway through a bottle, so where do I change him? I can hardly go in the "ladies", and it's not really fair to change him on the table, especially if there are people close by having a meal.
So I call upon all pubs not to be sexist (if there were baby changing facilities in the gents and none in the ladies- imagine the uproar), either have a separate changing facility or put one in both toilets. Don't make things even harder for blokes to spend time with their kids!

Change of ownership at The Black Lion

2010-03-18T13:36:00.002Z

Last weekend saw the closure of another Hereford pub- The Black Lion. However, upon closer inspection, there is a sign in the doorway saying that it will re-open on Friday 19th March at noon under new management. As usual we will endeavour to bring you an updated review as soon as possible, but if you get there first then let us know what you think.

Hereford Pubs on Google Street View

2010-03-15T13:45:00.004Z

To celebrate the recent addition of Hereford to Google's excellent Street View feature we've done a bit of a collage of some of the City's pubs.

Pictured above are the Rose and Crown on Ledbury Road, a view of Widemarsh Street showing The Imperial and Saxtys, and Commercial Road featuring the Litten Tree, The Hop Pole and The Kings Fee. Click the picture for a more detailed view.

As well as being great fun to play around with, Street View is sure to become a great tool to use when planning pub crawls - especially when visiting new places.

Another week, another update

2010-03-09T16:16:00.002Z

Last week saw another HMPG reviewing session around the streets of Hereford. Just click on the pub names below to read the review:

The Treacle Mine (pictured below)- after being closed for a short time , we are pleased to say that The Treacle Mine is open and definitely worth a visit. On our visit the place was vibrant and friendly, and therefore it rightly reclaims it's old position as the best pub south of the river.
The Stagecoach (pictured below)- this town pub has an olde worlde charm, with nice oak beams on display. However, it also embraces the modern era with some well placed tv's that are ideal for watching the sporting events of your choice.
Queen's Arms (pictured below)- another friendly town pub. Ever since I can remember there has been a Man United shrine in the back corner; however, this has gone and now "Waster's Corner" is a shadow of its former self and now has no unique features.
The Bowling Green (pictured below)- this lively town pub now has a pool table but no tv's (televisions not transvestites- however, the locals can look pretty scary but they seem nice enough!)

Which pub should be named "2011 Hereford Pub of the Year"?
	Barrels
	Britannia
	Exchange
	Grapes
	Hop Pole
	Imperial
	Kings Fee (Wetherspoons)
	Lichfield Vaults
	Litten Tree
	Monument
	Rose and Crown
	Treacle Mine
	other- please specify in comments below

pollcode.com free polls

What's the best pub south of the river?
	The Broadleys
	The Game Cock
	The Grafton Inn
	The Saracens Head
	The Three Counties
	The Treacle Mine
	The Vaga Tavern
	The Wye Inn
	Other (please specify below)

pollcode.com free polls