Dermot Kennedy
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dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Dermot Kennedy
@dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
360 followers 360 following 40 posts
Posting about pubs; website is a photographic guide to classic British pubs; occasional blogger; photography, cycling, architecture.

pubgallery.co.uk
pubgallery.co.uk/blog
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dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Detoured from a family Flying Scotsman trip on North York Moors Railway to Beck Hole to see the excellent Birch Hall Inn in glorious autumn colours. Inside has barely changed in 100 years and cliches like 'time warp' and 'gem' don't do it justice. Beckwatter brown ale and a pork pie too. Wonderful.
Exterior of the Birch Hall Inn, whitewashed cottage next to stone built house with autumn colours in trees behind. Open fire, tables, chairs and bench seating in the 'Big Bar'. Exterior of the Birch Hall Inn from the bridge with autumn colours in garden and trees behind. Corner bench seating and the serving hatch in the 'Big Bar'.
November 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Victoria in Beeston, imposing Victorian pub with art decos details added in the 1930s. Nice windows with stained and etched glass promoting both a Smoke Room and, unusually, a Smoke Bar. Blackboards & breweriana on walls. Proper plain public bar on the right. 9 cask beers.
Windows from inside with colourful stained glass at top and etched glass at bottom inscribed 'Smoke Bar'. Pub exterior, a large red brick building with relief signs saying 'Victoria Hotel 1899' and 'Ind Coope & Co Burton Ales'. Main bar area with art deco styling on bar counter tand fireplace and view through to Smoke Room with multiple tables and chairs.
November 2, 2025 at 4:31 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
My first visit to the Crown in Beeston just south of Nottingham. 4 lovely old rooms and 1 large modern one. Tiny public bar leads to an even tinier room with a pew. Comfy snug and wood panelled middle bar. An Everards Project William (still going I think) refurb with Brown Ale Pub Co. 8 cask ales.
Wood panelled room with wooden floor with bar counter in corner. White painted exterior of the Crown with blue and gold pub signs. Snug bar with red upholstered bench seating around the walls and 'Snug Bar' etched windows. Small quarry-tiled public bar with door leading to tiny room.
November 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Bullhouse East, liveliest of the beer bars/taprooms in Belfast on our trip. 20 keg taps, mostly from Bullhouse, and pizza van outside. Bus ride from the centre but Boundary Brewery tap is just along the road. Inevitably both have taproom style canteen tables.
Black painted exterior of Bullhouse East with large window showing drinkers and inside. Interior with bar counter, large beer menu and long tables.
October 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Sunflower in Belfast, great little corner pub with 1 handpump serving local Boundary Pale Ale on our afternoon visit. Yard outside with pizza van. Came back in the evening for the Manouche gypsy swing band followed by folk club upstairs.
Green & white painted exterior at night with gated security entrance, a relic of the troubles. The 4 members of the Manouche gypsy swing band playing double bass, violin, and 2 guitars. The bar with customers at the counter and seated. Two pints of the hazy Boundary Pale Ale on the bar counter next to the hand pump.
October 4, 2025 at 4:56 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Another visit to the stunning Crown Bar in Belfast. Tiled exterior, ceramic bar counter, ornate wooden snugs, stained glass and mirrors, bar back with whisky barrels and the best choice of cask ale in the centre (apart maybe from JDW). And close to my hotel (Travelodge, not the Europa).
Tiled and stained glass exterior of the Crown Bar in Belfast with marble style columns. Interior showing bar counter to left with wooden whiskey barrels behind, ornate booths to the right and tiled corridor down the centre. Inside of a booth/snug with black upholstered seating, looking out doorway to stained glass entrance door and a corner snug with large whisky mirror.
October 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Oktoberfest afternoon at the Curious Hop in Otley last Sunday. I wish all lager tasted like this.
3 1 litre Steins of Paulaner lager on a wooden outdoor table at the Curious Hop in Otley, Yorkshire. Wooden barrel of Paulaner lager with serving tap on the counter of the Curious Hop in Otley, Yorkshire.
October 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Blood Bay, Ludlow, conversion of an old shop to look like a local from the 1930s or earlier. Wood panelling, snug with hatch, no keg taps and no clips on the handpumps. A touch like a museum but I liked it and it works, a laughing, joking pub.
Wooden bar counter with three handpumps. Green painted pub front with inn sign above with image of racehorse. Wood panelled snug with bench seats facing each other and a hatch to the bar.
September 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Broken I think. They were still there in 2019.
Etched glass windows at the Crown, Stockport.
September 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
My first visit to the Nursery in Stockport for very many years. A beautifully preserved 1930s suburban pub with wood panelled walls, curved seating booths and plant nursery themed stained glass windows. Classic Northern vault, still with separate entrance, and the full range of Hydes beers.
The lounge with with wood panelled walls and curved booths with green upholstered seating. Nursery themed stained glass window panels, one showing a garden fork, the other showing fruit on a branch. Red brick lower and white painted upper frontage of the Nursery Inn. The vault (public bar) with original tiled fireplace with dart board above, wooden bar counter in the corner and lino floor.
September 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Another post on the re-opened Crown in Stockport but worth a reminder of what a good pub it is again. Nicely refurbished preserving the heritage interior & with 8 cask ales including Bass as a regular. Shame most of the etched glass has gone in recent years, but definitely up there with the best.
Green and white painted pub exterior beneath a large red brick railway viaduct. Close up of a pint of Draught Bass with the main room and lobby in the background. The 'Red Room' with red walls, red upholstered benches and stools, and a black painted fireplace. The 'Green Room' (formerly the snug) with green walls, green upholstered benches and stools, and a black painted fireplace.
September 3, 2025 at 5:30 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
A bit late to this but here's the Arden Arms in Stockport from last Thursday.
Close up of a doorway at the Arden Arms in Stockport with hanging baskets of pink, blue, white and violet flowers.
August 31, 2025 at 6:36 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
A long overdue return visit to the wonderful Black Horse in Preston. Got in early before most punters and was like a kid in a sweetshop with my camera. Beautiful tiled bar counter, the 'hall of mirrors', timeless bar parlour & smoke room, mosaic tiled floors and 8 cask beers.
Semi circular ceramic bar counter in brown and yellow tiles with a leaf pattern mosaic tiled floor. U-shaped alcove with mirrors, stained glass windows and wood panelling, black upholstered seating and a stained glass image of a black horse at the far end. Close up of a door with a 'Bar Parlour' etched glass window with a blurred customer playing a slot machine beyond. Small pub room with tiled fireplace, upholstered bench seating and a doorway with a 'smoke room' etched glass window.
August 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
I finally managed to get a photo of the Station Inn at Ribblehead with a steam train on the viaduct behind. I tried last year but the promised steam train was switched to a diesel! Good pub with food, 4 cask ales and a beer garden with a view of the viaduct and Whernside.
The Station Inn Ribblehead with a steam train crossing the viaduct above. Close-up of the stone built exterior of the Station Inn at Ribblehead. Fireplace and bar counter inside the Station Inn Ribblehead. The steam train further along the viaduct.
July 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Belatedly writing up the entry for the Holly Bush at Makeney for my pub guide and was reminded what a cracking pub this is. It's got to be up there in one of those top 3 or 5 or 10 or whatever best pub lists.
pubgallery.co.uk/pubs/holly-bush-makeney/
Exterior of the Holly Bush, Makeney, a long golden stone building with slate roof and painted wall sign. Outside the snug looking through the entrance with part view of customer and range. Inside the snug with a large range to the left, a high backed settle ahead and the entrance to the right. Public Bar with wooden bench seating, a stone and iron fireplace and mirrors and paintings on the wall.
June 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
There are several bars and restaurants in the amazing underground tunnel complex of Sunbridge Wells in Bradford. One of the best at the very bottom, is Wallers, named after the brewery that once owned the complex. 4 localish cask beers. Well worth a visit.
Tunnel interior of Wallers with tables, seating and stone flagged floor. Artwork comprising chemical vessels and equipment in wall cavity in Wallers. Steps with iron railings with signposts to venues in Sunbridge Wells. Skeleton lying on the floor in wall cavity off the staircase.
May 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
To Bradford, 2025 City of Culture, and first stop at Exchange Craft Beer House. It's in the basement of the impressive Wool Exchange building (have a look inside the stunning Waterstones around the corner) and run by Nightjar Brewery. 7 cask beers & 10 keg from Nightjar and other local breweries.
The elaborate columned entrance of Exchange Craft Beer House with sculptures of Richard Cobden and Titus Salt. Exterior of Bradford Wool Exchange, a large sandstone building in Gothic style with a prominent clock tower with spire. The pine fronted bar counter with handpumps and keg taps with a blackboard menu to one side. Front snug with brown sofa below window.
May 31, 2025 at 4:35 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
It's #WorldArtDecoDay so here are some pics of UK art deco pubs. For more see 3 articles I wrote last year with lots of nice photos covering the whole UK. First is seaside pubs, second is city pubs, third is suburban pubs.

tinyurl.com/bdfcremd
tinyurl.com/2s4yhnnj
tinyurl.com/mssvvese
The red brick exterior of the Drawing Rooms in Norwich with a blue painted frieze. The white painted art deco exterior of the Yacht in Penzance with a church tower behind. Curved bar counter inside the Portland Arms in Glasgow with matching canopy above. One of the two red brick curved wings of the Nags Head in Bishops Stortford.
April 28, 2025 at 9:15 AM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
First visit to the Ackhorne in York for very many years - it was spelt the Acorn then and sold Camerons. It's down a cobbled side street off Micklegate with two rooms, good stained glass room windows & 5 cask beers. Spot the Sam Smiths style sign about wifi.
Exterior view of the pub at night with illuminated windows. Second bar with tables, stools, and "Tap Room" stained glass windows. Main bar with wooden floor,counter and mixed seating. "Tap Room" stained glass window from outside at night.
February 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
The Golden Ball in York, community run and nice John Smiths glazed brick frontage from the 20s. 4 rooms inside including main bar with tiled counter and one with bar billiards table. Black country style cabinet with pie and cakes (but no cobs) and 6 cask beers. Brass Castle Bad Kitty excellent.
Red tiled pub exterior at twilight with illuminated windows. Public Bar with two staff behind a white tiled bar counter and a view into a side room. Exterior tiled "Tadcaster Ales" sign above illuminated etched window advertising "Magnet Ales".
February 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
A walk down from Stourbridge to Oldwinsford to the Edwardian Seven Stars with lots of Mitchell & Butlers stained and etched glass windows, wall tiling & carved bar back. Black Country Ales pub with the usual multiple handpumps. Enjoyed Pig on the Wall dark mild and an excellent cob.
The main bar counter with multiple keg and cask pumps and an elaborately carved bar back behind. Corridor with mid height green and cream tiling on both sides. Stained glass window above doorway with 'Mitchell & Butlers Limited' lettering. View of the main bar showing cob cabinets, tiled walls and etched and stained glass windows.
February 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Caught number 8 bus Wolverhampton - Stourbridge (stopping off at the wonderful Vine/Bull & Bladder) and headed for the Duke William. Glazed brick exterior with Private Bar window and Edwardian features inside. Craddocks brewery beers plus others. Thanks for the heads up Laura @morrighani.bsky.social
Exterior of the Duke William at dusk with lighting inside and out and glazed brick lower storey. Outside view of original etched glass window with art nouveau design and 'Private Bar' lettering illuminated by interior lighting. Pub interior with carved wooden bar counter and dark wood bar back with red upholstered stools. Pub entrance with etched glass 'Craddocks Brewery' door window and green and blue stained glass panel above.
February 6, 2025 at 6:58 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
The Combermere, Wolverhampton, looking like a pretty terraced house with a front garden. Lively main bar with chatty Tyrone landlord, two nice looking snugs and outside gents complete with tree. Tribute, Plum Porter, Landlord and 2 other on cask.
Exterior of the Combermere, red brick terraced cottage behind small well tended front garden with red brick footpath. Grey painted main bar counter in the main bar with arow of beer pumps, white plastered walls and dark grey timbers. Side room with red upholstered bench and stools and wood panelled lower walls with framed cartoons above. Tree trunk in the men's toilet next to white wash basin and hand drier.
February 5, 2025 at 7:27 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
The Posada in Wolverhampton with its glorious tiled exterior, tiled front room, bar back with snob screens and smoke room a bit like a Victorian drawing room. 5 cask ales including HPA and Taylors Golden Best.
Exterior of the Posada with a central curved, tiled bay and tiled entrance lobbies on each side. Main bar with mauve painted bar counter with polished wood top, carved bar back and glazed brick and tiled walls. The smoke room with a large wood surround fireplace with mirror above, corner upholstered bench and tables and chairs. Row of 6 snob screens with stained glass panels above, fronted by a row of spirit bottles.
February 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
dermotkennedy1.bsky.social
Good to see the Dove on Broadway Market is still going strong, a bit of Belgium in East London. Proper printed beer menu as well. Great choice of Belgian beers.
Brown tiled exterior of the Dove pub on Broadway Market, Hackney. Glass of Bruges Zot Beer and Geuze Boon bottle with candle. Striped bar counter at the Dove in Hackney. Beer menu with draught beers on the left and bottled beers on the right.
January 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM