When I was a child my father used to take me (and later me and my brother) walking in the hills of North Wales. One of our favourites was Moel Fammau (of which I have blogged previously including this one). We often ended our walk at Cilcain. Later in life I used to drive there for lunch with friends or for an evening out. When I was staying with CJ and his Partner Who Loves Tea we went to North Wales one day and stopped at The White Horse for lunch. It had hardly altered since my last visit perhaps 30 years ago although I don't recall tables out at the front in those days.
It was delightful - and the company excellent, of course.
ReplyDeleteYes. Partner Who Drinks Tea was delightful as always.
DeleteExactly what a pub should be.
ReplyDeleteKate it is exactly what I think a pub should be too.
DeleteDelightful inside and out! I don't go to pubs too often but here they all seem to have lairy casino carpets and laminate tables
ReplyDeleteKylie the concept of a pub is very different in Australia and New Zealand and even, for the most part, in Scotland from that which prevails in England and Wales. This is very much the archetypal idea of a 'country pub'.
DeleteI have always wondered why obviously old pubs see it necessary to stick planks on their interior walls in some attempt to make it look 'rustic'. Makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteCro it's always been like that since I can remember and is pretty typical of such places as you know. It gives them some to hang all the brass and stick all the plates. Personally I don't mind it at all. As for making sense much of life doesn't make any sense in my experience.
DeleteBest wishes for their plant's' water bill.
ReplyDeleteToo true Potty. I hadn't thought of that but then it is Wales and not noted for it's droughts.
DeleteOh, what I would give for a pub like that around here! The only real pub in America (that I've ever been to) was the Sherlock Holmes, down in Nashville, TN. That was an awesome place, sadly closed down some years ago. But it was real, in all the ways that made a difference. Thanks for sharing these memories and photos with us!
ReplyDeleteMrs S I wouldn't mind such a place up here either.
DeleteWith a place like yours, who needs a pub?! *wink* But seriously, if you need a waitress and a bartender to come over there and start up a pub, my husband and I would be more than happy to oblige... you can pick the benches and seat cushions, Bear can bartend, I can serve up the shepherd's pie and ploughman's lunch, and we'll have in some musicians of an evening and do a wee bit of ceilidh! I play the piano, the bodhran, and the celtic harp, Bear plays bagpipes, and we could find us a tin whistler and a fiddler, and we'd be all set.
DeleteThat sounds like a pretty idyllic scenario Mrs S. The idea of an pub like the White Horse on Lewis is something I, for one, will only ever be able to dream about though.
DeleteJust out of curiosity, I googled this pub. Found your 'excellent' review among a bunch of complainers who did not like the no-child policy. Personally, I would not have expected any children to be allowed in a pub.
ReplyDeleteViolet Sky I don't really think it's a place for children either although I would have thought it would be acceptable for morning coffee and lunches but it is essentially a place for adults. As pubs in Wales are closing at the rate of 2 per week and as this has a very small local catchment they must be doing something right.
DeleteThe White Horse Inn is for sale - £560,000. "This stunning 17th century pub is situated at the heart of the village and within an area of outstanding natural beauty. The village is surrounded by breath-taking views of the Clwydian Range, a series of hills and mountains attracting thousands of walkers and ramblers year after year. The pub caters for the many tourists visiting the nearby Moel Famau, the highest hill in the range and the famous Offa's Dyke Path walk."
ReplyDeletePerhaps CJ and his partner should put in an offer. You could be the pot washer in the kitchen.
YP I understand the owner is now in his 70s and wishes to retire and the pub has been on the market for quite a while and, as you quoted, a lot of its clientele are walkers and tourists. People prepared to put in the hours needed to run such a pub and make it pay are diminishing and my guess is that this will one day be sold and turned into a rather splendid private residence. I hope that I am wrong. I shall pop back in 20 years and see.
DeleteKeep it a pub, add a couple of cozy B&B rooms upstairs, and voila!!
DeleteI cannot abide the plethora of cushions on the settle and chair seats - both ghastly and cheap.
ReplyDeleteIt's okay Heron most of the customers who go there are not so fussy. The cushions on the wooden seats (as opposed to those on the backs) are just a matter of comfort for those of us with less well padded backsides.
DeleteTo me, it looks cosy and clean, neither shabby nor too modern (the way some pubs make too much of an effort to be modern). I have nothing against the cushions - I guess it makes for extra comfort if you can stuff a plump cushion betweeen your back and the hard board of the bench.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know some places do not change beyond recognition!
Meike it was very cosy, comfortable and clean and you are absolutely correct about the cushions on the seats.
DeleteDelightful looking place
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Maywyn.
DeleteGreat place. I'd be looking up at the decorations rather than eating.
ReplyDeleteRed we actually ate in the bar which is less ornamental but none the less very warm and homely.
DeleteI think it looks a grand pub but what do I know. If the beer is good and the company entertaining then who has the time or inclination to nitpick over the decoration.
ReplyDeleteAdrian, judging by the fact that they still open, have a darts board in use and a good selection of decent beer and plenty of custom they are obviously doing something right.
DeleteI wonder how many White Horse Inns there are...
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the musical "White Horse Inn"....I've not thought of it in years and years and more years!!
Coincidentally, my latest post is about the old grey mare! :)
Lee there are a lot of White Horse Inns in many countries I think. Trip Advisor would supply some of the answer I'm sure. I've never seen the musical but do, of course know some of the music. I am a bit behind with my blog reading (nothing new there then) but I'll catch up with the old grey mare.
DeleteJust a note that it is so nice to see clean white not cigarette stained ceilings!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is, Potty.
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