London's Best Pubs
I don't think the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras is such an improvement on the old one at Waterloo. Plus, wasn't it rather pleasing that Frenchmen arriving from Gare du Nord were reminded of that famous battle when they stepped off the train? And don't get me started on the beer choice on the train itself: Stella or Kronenbourg. What happened to the Duvel?
There was one thing to cheer me up last week, as we waited for our departure to rain-soaked Lille. In the tiny WH Smiths, on a shelf alongside the travel guides, was Peter Haydon's book - London's Best Pubs. It was recently updated and republished (I should mention that Tim Hampson, not Peter, did the actual updating). The Gunmakers has been included. Click here to buy the book on Amazon.
10 comments:
Love this book. Well produced with some great photos.
What an odd world we live in that such a robust and expensive structure as Waterloo International becomes obsolete after 13 years of operation?
I agree with you about Waterloo. Maybe St Pancras should be renamed Agincourt.
You lost your senses Jeff, St Pancras was a better terminal BEFORE the work done on it never mind now...Waterloo has some glories but the bolted on early 90's idiocy that was the Eurostar terminal wasn't and isn't one of them (think the fact the tramps took it over in days says it all). Once that gothic building reopens St Pancras will be even better.
I think the new St Pancras is great, except for that unnerving statue of the kissing couple. Almost as good as Leipzig station, which is not only tramp free, but also the best shopping area in the city.
It's a shame the Gunmakers isn't bigger -- I reckon you'd be able to fill it twice over before too long. Maybe you can open a Gunmakers II somewhere nearby...?
I got this book a couple of weeks ago and love it. It's pub porn, basically.
Don't get me wrong, I like St Pancras as a building, and much prefer it in that sense to the profoundly uggers Waterloo. What I mean is that actual Eurostar facilities aren't better. I'm sure there was more to do and more room at Waterloo once you got through customs. As they make you hang around there for half an hour or more, it matters.
I like St. Pancras, but what's with the champagne bar? St. Pancras was a waypoint for IPA on its way from Burton to India, so a real ale bar would've been more appropriate.
I'm sorry David, but you're on your own there. A real ale bar wouldn't have the same jet set appeal, and never will. Beer isn't a luxury product, and champagne is. I like beer more than the vast majority of people on this earth, but I don't see it as on a par with champagne.
OK, I gotta say...I like St. Pancras WAY better then Waterloo. In Waterloo, I always felt corralled during the check-in process.
I dig the wood floors in St. Pancras. And the whole laptop/electrical outlet bar seating thing they have going on. (Normally, I'm Eurostar-ing for work, so I notice these things.)
Can't speak to the beer selection though, however.
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