The great British pub is an important part of British culture – both historically and to the current day. A pub (short for ‘public house’) is a drinking establishment, a place licenced to sell alcoholic beverages consumed on the premises.
Pubs are commonly associated with draught beer, including lager, ales, stouts and bitter, served in pints and half-pints, but there’s also usually a selection of wines, spirits, ciders, soft drinks and teas and coffees too. Many British pubs also serve food and bar snacks, such as nuts, crisps and pork scratchings. People go to pubs to drink, socialise and relax.
History of the British pub
The history of pubs dates all the back to taverns in Roman times. The term ‘pub’ or public house is thought to first appear in the late 17th century, to differentiate private dwellings from those open to everyone (the public) as inns or alehouses.
Throughout history, people have used pubs and inns as a place to rest and reinvigorate for whatever the next day holds in store, whether that’s a lengthy journey or a special occasion.
Nowadays, there is no universally agreed definition of exactly what constitutes a pub, but the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) describes a pub as somewhere that is open to the public without membership or residency, that serves draught beer or cider without requiring food be consumed, has at least one indoor area not laid out for meals and allows drinks to be bought at a bar rather than via table service.
A good pub offers a warm welcome
In many places, particularly rural communities, the local pub is a focal point. It is a community hub where people share good conversation, jokes and memories together over their favourite tipple.
As we all know, every community has its own particular quarrels and debates. The dynamics of friendships and work escapades leave a chequered history in each of the pubs, contributing to their unique character.
Popular pub games include skittles, darts and dominoes. Some pubs may have a pool table and some run regular quizzes. Many pubs will show key sporting events, and many people enjoy the convivial atmosphere of watching sport together.
Pubs bring people together, from every demographic. Rich and poor, young and old, male and female and all genders. This sense of solidarity is the thing I love most about pubs.
Many rural pubs are also dog-friendly.
Pubs in the Peak District
In many ways, the pubs and pub culture in the Peak District can be seen as representative of British pubs overall.
Centrally situated in Britain, the area has a wealth of transport links and thus has many coaching inns for travellers, from when horse was the dominant mode of transport through to the growth of the railways and the prominence of railway pubs. The region also has its fair share of miners pubs.
Here at Pub Tours we offer an award-winning, insightful guide into the Peak District’s best pubs. Why not book your tour today?
