Writer singles out York and Knaresborough pubs for new book

Happy Hours – A Great British Pub Diary is a record of St Helens-based journalist Mike Critchley’s 42-year journey through the inns, bars and alehouses of these islands.

Since he turned 18 in 1984, Mike has recorded and graded every new pub he has visited in a little blue notebook – a tally that has now surpassed 1,880.

In Happy Hours, he recalls many of the highlights – and a few low points – of that ‘never-ending pub crawl’ with many of his personal favourites featured.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Among those recorded are a 1987 trip to the Kings Arms, where legendary landlord Ian Webb was early into his 10-year tenure, and a more recent visit to the beloved Blue Bell in Fossgate.

Mike Critchley has visited almost 2,000 pubs over the years (Image: Pic supplied)

The author admits to also being enchanted by a trip to Knaresborough’s Six Poor Folk and Blind Jacks after jumping off the train from York to Harrogate.

He said: “York has been one of my favourite destinations for so long now and has so many excellent pubs, with bars and inns catering for all types of drinker.

“The city has so many pubs with such a long history, ones that ooze charm and character from every pore.

“It is a place I always look forward to visiting, and no trip to York is ever complete without dropping in on the Blue Bell, a real gem on every level.”

Of the visits to around 175 pubs described in the book, 27 are in Yorkshire with cities London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester also featured prominently.

Mike weaves in many personal anecdotes and social history as the book charts significant changes to the way people drink and the world about us.

Around 175 pubs are featured (Image: Tony Hannan)

The book features potted histories of some of Britain’s finest pub buildings, observations of legendary landlords and landladies, recollections of colourful elbow-bending customers and an appreciation of good beer.

“I had to write this book.

“At a time when we are losing pubs hand over fist due to a multitude of reasons, this book is a reminder of the importance of these wonderful institutions and community hubs, and the role they play in society,” he said.

Priced at £14.99, the book is now on sale and can be ordered from Waterstone’s, Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd or on Amazon.

Where are your favourite pubs? And what do you like about them? Please share us your thoughts in the comments below.