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Posts from the ‘Out & About’ category

Reviews of places in the UK that BE writers and readers have visited

The excellent breakfast from the Wheelhouse Snack Bar in Minehead, Somerset

Beer, Butlins and more Beer: Part Two

“Kay had been to Butlin’s several times as a kid and had memories of the classic holiday camp experience – mass-produced holidays churned out by the hundred thousand, from the wake-up tannoy call in the morning right down to the meals organised by sittings, and days and nights packed solid with fun-filled activities. I’d never been myself and was curious to see what the modern Butlin’s experience would be like.” After 40 years of holiday camp-free existence, Dave finds out…

CAMRA Somerset Beer Festival at Minehead Station, 17 September 2005

Beer, Butlins and more Beer: Part One

“We’d nearly finished getting the house ready to put on the market, we were due for a break, and we knew there was going to be a beer festival in Minehead. One of the three remaining outposts of the once-mighty Butlin’s empire was located in Minehead – and Butlin’s still offered accommodation for smokers. The idea of staying there was too daft for words. How could we resist?” Tempted by beer, Kay and Dave return to the West Country…

Stuck in Sutton

“We returned to the UK in May 2005 for a spell and moved back into our own house in Sutton in June. Here’s a brief review of a couple of eating and drinking places we’ve visited which have stood out from the rest. One of them, unfortunately, for the wrong reasons.” Some of the best places to eat and drink in the London Borough of Sutton – and one of the worst.

Fortescue Arms hotel and carvery in Woolacombe, North Devon

Fishing for compliments

“Much of the disappointment was created by the great build-up they gave themselves. We thought we were in for a treat. Not so.” Kay and Dave stayed overnight in North Devon in August 2005 – here’s their verdict on the Fortescue Arms in Woolacombe…

Sign of the Ankh-Morpork Consulate at The Cunning Artificer in Wincanton, Somerset

Way Out West

“We recently went to North Devon to meet a pal of ours there. On the journey home to our south London suburb we were in no great hurry and stopped at, or took a detour to, anything that took our fancy.” A pot-pourri of some West Country tourist attractions…

Worthing winners

“When we were forced to return to the UK in May 2005 but had nowhere to move into, we decided to spend the first couple of weeks in Worthing. We enjoyed it so much that, once we finally did get our house back, we went back down for a couple of nights when we were fed up of redecorating.” Dave on where to eat, drink and sleep in Worthing.