Linlithgow:
Our local for a week. This pub was established in 1665, sitting alongside a bridge over the river Avon on the main road to Linlithgow.
It’s split into two, a bar one side, and a spacious restaurant the other; the bar is traditional (with open fire), the restaurant a little dated perhaps, but beer, wine, and food all fine (one guest ale), and the staff were very friendly. Seemed very popular for food- got crowded on Fri/Sat night.
Cleethorpes:
On the North Promenade, so a bit away from the pier. This is a standard pub downstairs, and a function room (called Lacey’s) up.
Wine was fine, apparently. I’m pretty sure there was ale, but as I was driving, it went untested. Food was very good and great value, staff were pleasant, radio was on but not too loud, good seafront location- a little way north from the centre but right on the front.
Chapel St Leonards, Lincs:
Actually on the promenade, this is a real surprise: it’s a beachfront bar with a traditionalish but maritime-themed interior, and an outside area on the beach that is built to resemble a ship, along with clever outside benches with a drink tray built into the railing.
There’s a choice of real ale, food at times (sadly not when we visited), pleasant staff, and a view over the beach and out to the wind farm off the coast.
Sutton-on-Sea, Lincs:
Right on the prom, overlooking the paddling pool and town on one side, and the sea on another. There’s an enclosed (perhaps too enclosed, legally?) smoking area, and outside benches. They serve food, but only at weekends, I think.
We visited three times: the first visit wouldn’t have qualifiied as we walked out; football was on the TV, loud, and the place was crowded with shouting, braying fans.
We gave it another try, and it was worth it: the seating outside is nice in the sun, and the Pedigree was excellent (often a problem anywhere that isn’t Burton-on-Trent).
Willoughby, near Alford, Lincs:
A lovely lunchtime break: sadly we were in the car, so I missed out on the ale on offer. Wine (so I’m told) and lunch were fine, landlord and landlady friendly, and the view over the village green was lovely.
Sutton-on Sea, Lincs:
It’s a hotel, but the bar feels pub-like, and there’s a microbrewery. The beer and service are great, to be honest, and the food, while not fancy, is good. Prices are OK and there’s good outside space.
Mablethorpe:
Backstreet pub in Mablethorpe. Not plush, but comfortable and friendly, with real ale (very welcome after a day of lager) and a pubcat. No kids in the bar area :-), but allowed elsewhere.
Sutton-on-Sea, Lincs:
This didn’t look like a pub; more like a cafe, with outside tables and a modernish shop-front window. Inside, it’s unusually light for a pub, but it was pleasant- the TV was on, but not overbearingly loud, and while I don’t think there was any cask ale, the New World Pale Ale I had was pretty decent, as was the food.
Langworth, Lincolnshire:
A lunchtime stop. It looked a bit tired and run down from outside (and heading back west, it looks worse- you’d mistake it for being closed), but the appearance was deceptive. Inside is clean, and pleasant. Real ale on offer, but can’t comment on quality as I was driving. Food, wine and staff all great and prices very reasonable.
Blackpool:
Near to the Pleasure Beach and the South Pier, this has the seafront position. We dropped in, tired after a day wandering (and a ride on The Big One for me), while I searched Google for a nearby Chinese restaurant. It was a mix of good and bad: the glasses were plastic, but better than the usual cups. No ale, but drinkable Stella (a repeated story of this trip…), and friendly staff that were working hard, but nowhere near enough of them judging by the filthy tables and piles of dirty glasses, and the wait at the bar. We sat outside in the sun at the only clear table, next to one with discarded not-even-half-eaten meals, so overall not a good impression, but there was nothing wrong with our drinks and the prices were OK.