The Railway Inn

The Railway Inn, Leeds, Yorkshire

A utilitarian flat-roofed pub in the Hunslet area on the south-east side of the city. Some of the detailing suggests a 1930s origin, but the surrounding housing is post-war. It has since been converted for residential use, but the Whitbread inn sign has been retained.

The Coopers Arms

The Coopers Arms, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Not the well-known historic Coopers Tavern, this is an imposing late-Victorian street-corner pub on the south-west side of the town. It was sold off by Marston’s a few years ago but carried on for a while as a free house; permission is now being south to turn it into a community centre.

The Bullock Smithy

The Bullock Smithy, Hazel Grove, Cheshire

A four-square pub on a busy road junction, originally called the Bull’s Head. Bullock Smithy was the former name of Hazel Grove, which was changed in the 19th century for reasons of decorum. In recent years it was very much given over to dining, and did not reopen after the first lockdown in 2020.

The Farmers Arms

The Farmers Arms, Northwich, Cheshire

A large post-war estate-style pub in the Rudheath district on the south-east side of the town, that has been a Co-op store for over ten years.

The Spotted Dog

The Spotted Dog, Forest Gate, London

An old weatherboarded pub in East London, believed to have once been a hunting lodge used by Henry VIII, situated next to the ground of Clapton FC. It has been closed since 2004.

The Holly Bush

The Holly Bush, Linton, Derbyshire

A surprisingly extensive village pub in the South Derbyshire coalfield. When open, it butted on to a pair of new-build houses, and has now been entirely converted to residential use.

The Halton Moor

The Halton Moor, Leeds, Yorkshire

Standing alone in a bleak-looking location in East Leeds, this pub reminds me of Hrothgar’s mead hall from Beowulf. Not sure from the architecture whether it is 30s or 50s.