The names of public houses have a story behind them. As many public houses are centuries old, many of their early customers were unable to read, and pictorial signs could be readily recognised when lettering and words could not be read.
Your guide to British pubs features pubs and bars across the UK. There is a Google search box at the top of this page, so you can find the pub to meet your needs.
Look for a pub that runs regular quiz nights or search for a pub in your local town or village.
Britain has a unique heritage in its inn signs: a record of its history and the people who made it. Inn signs depict everything, from battles to inventions, from sporting heroes to royalty. The origin of inn signs goes back to the Romans.
Early pubs hung long poles or ale stakes, which might have been used to stir the ale, outside their doors. If both wine and ale were sold, then both bush and pole would be hung outside.
A public house is the formal name for a pub in Britain, is a drinking establishment licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on or off the premises in countries and regions of British influence.
There are approximately 57,500 public houses in the United Kingdom, with at least one in almost every city, town and village.
According to CAMRA – the Campaign for real Ale – there’s up to 56 pubs closing their doors forever every month, with 8 out of 10 pubs either demolished or converted into houses. Rural pubs in particular are facing a record number of closures after suffering under the strain of the economic recession.
