The Brighton Dome is an arts venue in Brighton, England, that contains the Concert Hall, the Corn Exchange and the Studio Theatre (formerly the Pavilion Theatre). All three venues are linked to the rest of the Royal Pavilion Estate by a tunnel to the Royal Pavilion in Pavilion Gardens and through shared corridors to Brighton Museum. The Brighton Dome is a Grade I listed building.
9 o’clock start today as we have a long drive to Brighton…
We devised a stop-off at Nutfield Marshes which is about an hour away from Brighton…
Nutfield Marshes lie in the vale of Holmesdale between the North Downs and the Greensand Ridge and comprises of a series of wetland sites – The Moors, Spynes Mere, Holmethorpe Lagoons and Mercers Country Park.
Nice sunny day…
We stopped for a short while at Ashorne services near Warwick…
Spot the bus…
There was still quite a way to go…
Eventually we arrived…
Our pub of choice was ‘The Inn On The Pond’…
The Inn…
With its oak beams, low ceilings and open fireplaces, the Inn on the Pond is truly the quintessential country pub. Built in 1650, it’s a place to savour real ales and great food. As the Inn is situated on the main cycle routes and ajacent to the Nutfield Marshes Conservation area it is also popular with walkers and cyclists – both of whom are welcome.
The Pond…
Situated in the little hamlet of Nutfield Marshes, in an area of the Holmesdale Valley where the quarrying of Fullers Earth was once the major source of industry, the Inn faces an eponymous pond which dates back to 1603 and which was opened by David Bellamy after being cleaned in 1989.
Inside, the manager recommended the Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter…
A superbly balanced bitter with prominent hop character. Using a blend of four local hops, water filtered through the Sussex Downs over 30 years, and Harvey’s unique 60 year old yeast strain, Harvey’s Best Bitter is the embodiment of Sussex. ALC 4.0% VOL
Our table was set…
Great food!
Beautiful location…
Keith was tempted…
But it was time to go…
Off we pop again…
Time for a nap…
Some time later we hit Brighton…
The Royal Pavilion is a Grade I listed building and was formerly a royal residence, originally built for King George IV when he was Prince Regent. The architecture is a distinctive blend of Indo-Saracenic style, popular in India during the 19th century, with Chinese-inspired interior design.The Statue of George IV stands outside the Royal Pavilion complex in Brighton. It was commissioned in 1822 as a tribute to King George IV and unveiled in 1828. It was sculpted by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey and is now a Grade II listed building.
Before soundcheck, Carl did a bit of window shopping…
The Modfather Clothing Company is a London-based independent retailer founded in 2012 by Mario and Daniel Warner, specializing in authentic Mod, Skinhead, Casual, and Rude Boy subcultural fashion. Located in Camden’s Stables Market, with a second store in Brighton, the business is known for curating heritage brands and producing exclusive collaborations with artists like The Who and Paul Weller.
The soundcheck…
Over the last four weekends, Carl has been taking Polaroid photo’s documenting the tour in a visually different way…
The north gate of the Royal Pavillion
A bit later on we headed off in to town…
Some friends had recommended we meet in the nearby ‘Basketmaker’s Arms…
A much loved Brighton institution, the Basketmakers Arms holds a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Brimming with history, this 19th century pub offers a vast array of drinks and delicious food in a warm, welcoming atmosphere to an eclectic mix of guests. A haven for Brighton’s beer lovers and a sought out destination for visitors to Brighton.
It was busy inside…
We were drinking the Seafarers English Ale…
A crisp, light, amber ale, Seafarers is brewed with the aptly named Admiral hop, which imparts a zesty, spicy nature to the beer. The ingredients also include the famous Gales yeast, which bring soft-fruit flavours to the fore.
Everyone had arranged to meet their guests here…
All too soon it was time to get back…
Great pics on stage…
Photos by BrightonSource
Great crowd!!
After the gig we went to meet our guests in the bar area…
It was a great gig…
But we had to leave handy as our hotel was a two hour drive away…
Bristol Beacon, previously Colston Hall, is a concert hall and Grade Il listed building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. It is owned by Bristol City Council. Since 2011, it has been managed by Bristol Music Trust.
Good Friday everyone…
The previous night we’d driven from Brighton to Reading…
HMP Moto…
Sheets knotted…
Band on the run…
The others had found a breakfast place…
Ultimate Breakfast Ciabatta British outdoor bred pork sausages, beechwood smoked British back bacon and freshly cooked roasted tomato omelette with chives, served in a crusty ciabatta roll.
We got time off for good behaviour…
By stark contrast, our lunchtime venue today was Hanham Mills near Bristol…
Hanham Mills, located on the River Avon in South Gloucestershire is a scenic, historic riverside area known for its walking trails, picturesque lock, and popular waterside pubs. It serves as a key stop on the Avon Valley Trail, offering scenic views, wildlife, and easy access from Bristol.
Farmfoods?
Eventually we got there…
Our pub of choice was the ‘Old Lock and Weir’…
Hanham Mills is Hanham’s best known beauty spot. The Old Lock and Weir pub opened in 1727 and an ancient ferry crossed here. Nowadays it’s a traditional English pub serving freshly prepared food situated in a beautiful riverside location, perched on the edge of the River Avon with a huge beer garden. The weir powered several mills and the lock opened in the same year, thus improving the passage of coal and quarry stone in the Bath direction. The Bristol lock system opened in 1809, thus making the river at Hanham non tidal.
Inside was fairly busy…
We ordered the beer…
The West Country’s favourite beer derives from pure Mendip Spring Water…notably bitter, clean tasting, refreshingly dry and distinctive. Made with 100% best Maris Otter malt, together with a blend of English hop varieties, Butcombe Bitter is a moreish Mendip masterpiece.
Our table was in the outcasts room…
The trio of pies was the favourite…
We ordered some more of the bitter but couldn’t resist a review of our namesake cider…
Farmboy is farmhouse cider for all comers, from newbie to old boy. With a little less farm and a lot more flavour, Farmboy pairs bucket loads of traditional bittersweet taste with a fresh, clean finish. Made with a blend of all 18 varieties from Bristol’s Far Orchard. Disarmingly drinkable with a restrained ABV for the style. Fruity, tangy and gently bitter. Orange, black grape and plummy notes. Herbal and floral aromas.
Fab location…
The locals were sorry to see us go…
But go we must…
For a change we were heading to the hotel first…
Quick snooze then…
Something looks familiar…
We stayed here last year after we played the Thekla ship in Bristol. Remember having a pint in the Fox Den before the gig.
To the venue!
It’s a big concert hall…
Bristol Beacon first opened its doors on 20 September 1867. For over 150 years our walls have reverberated with the magical sights and sounds of orchestras, activists, acrobats, wrestlers, filmmakers and entertainers of every description. In 2020, we started a new chapter, changing our name from Colston Hall to Bristol Beacon. With our new name we have sought to shine a light on the unsung heroes and hidden stories of our past, and to provide an open and welcoming home for the voices of the future.
Soundcheck over it was time to explore the surrounding area…
Colston StreetThe Christmas Steps in Bristol, England, are a historic, steep, Grade Il listed pedestrian street dating back to 1669. Located in the city center, they link Colston Street to Perry Road, featuring independent shops, charming architecture, and the notable, historic The Christmas Steps pub.
Would be a tragedy if we didn’t go in here…
The Christmas Steps Pub is a historic pub in central Bristol dating back to 1600. It is located at the foot of the beautiful Christmas Steps in one of the oldest parts of the city. The pub retains many of its original features and was once a 17th century sugar refinery. It was tastefully restored in 2014 and now provides a contemporary offer of modern craft beer, real ale plus freshly cooked pub classics and a range of delicious small plates with an emphasis on innovation and quality.
Brilliant choice of beers…
Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout is an award-winning, 4.5% ABV, full-bodied dark beer recognized for its creamy, chocolatey sweetness balanced with coffee notes. This, the original Bristol Milk Stout, uses lactose (milk sugar) for a smooth finish and is available in 440ml cans, casks, and kegs.SplendidA gorgeous, thirst-quenching golden ale brewed in collaboration with the Christmas Steps and Spotted Cow pubs in Bristol. Packed full of late hops and dry hopped for extra thirst quenchability.Glorious
We met our guests and had a pint with them but it was soon time to head back up the hill…
Decisions…
Meanwhile back in the dressing room our Seven Brothers/Kelloggs collaboration tins were waiting for us…
“They’re Gr-r-reat!”
A chilled Keith has seen it all before…
Time to go on…
Thanks for the brilliant photo’s Kirsty Payne & Allan McDonald
Fantastic crowd!!!
After the show we hooked up with our good friends Andy & Kirsty…
O2 Academy Birmingham originally opened in the city in 2000 in Dale End with the venue bringing live music to the Midlands for almost a decade before it moved to its current home in Horsefair in 2009. The building in Dale End was steeped in musical heritage, it opened first as The Ballroom and then as the Top Rank Suite in the 1960s. After 20 years as the Top Rank, the venue was rebranded in the 1980s and became the Hummingbird which in the latter part of the decade gave some clubbers their first taste of house music and hosted some legendary live performances from Nirvana, Sonic Youth and The Beastie Boys before closing in 1994.
Morning campers
Not much of a walk this morning but spotted this on the way …
The City of Bristol College’s Advanced Engineering Centre in Stoke Gifford. It is used as a ground trainer for students studying aeronautical engineering at the college.
Got as far as the Bristol Parkway line…
Then headed back…
Bit of a queue for breakfast…
Worth the wait…
No white slice?
Time to go!
We’d noticed a pub called ‘The Farm’ in the suburb of St Werburghs only a 15 minute drive away…
St Werburghs is a vibrant, eco-conscious inner-city suburb 1.5 miles northeast of Bristol city centre, known for its community spirit, Victorian terraces, and unique attractions like The Farm Public House.Tucked away in a quiet corner of St Werburghs, between a City Farm and allotments, The Farm is a haven where you can step away from the hum of urban life, slow down and re-charge over a perfectly poured pint and some great food. Embracing hospitality and positivity, this pub nestles at the hub of this creative, pioneering quarter – a standard-bearer for the Guerrilla Pub ethos.
Decent beers…
Too early for a pint though…
The Farm @ The Farm…
The kids are alright…
We planned our lunchtime stop-off in the village of Grimley near Worcester…
Grimley is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District in the county of Worcestershire, England about 3 miles north of Worcester. It is known for the Norman Parish Church of St Bartholomew’s and a nature reserve.
Getting there…
Our pub of choice was ‘The Camp House Inn’…
No one is going to stumble upon the Camp House Inn by mistake. Unless, maybe, they are in a kayak. It’s located at the end of a dead end lane, worryingly close to the river. In it’s splendid isolation, the boozer remains unchanged for decades. As do the landlords. 50+ years service from the current incumbents. (Thanks to Mappiman’s Real Ale Walks Blog)
First impressions…
The beer was great – Hereford Pale Ale…
HPA is a truly delightful pale ale. It’s smooth on the palate and boasts a citrus hop aroma leading to a balanced bitter finish. Locally grown Target and Celeia hops, plus malted wheat and extra pale Maris Otter malted barley, make this a beer with all the right ingredients!
The Menu…
Bar meal classics…?
The jury is out…
Keith walked his dinner off along the river…
Bevere Lock is a navigation lock and weir located on the River Severn in Worcestershire, England, positioned between Holt Lock and Worcester. It is part of the Stourport Ring and plays a key role in regulating the river’s flow and enabling navigation on this stretch of the River Severn, often referred to locally as part of the main river route from Stourport to Worcester.
Beautiful surroundings…
We bid farewell to the Camp House…
And set sail for Birmingham…
Meanwhile here’s another of Carl’s Polaroids…
The Camp House Inn
After the soundcheck we arranged to meet guests in the ‘Victoria’ pub…
The Victoria is a theatre pub dating back to the end of the 19th century, it has character, legends and also has its own ghost! Offering you a wide selection of drinks including quality handpicked wines, cask ales and cocktails. During the evening throughout the week at The Victoria, a range of interesting options are available for entertainment such as quiz, live music and resident DJs.
For the second time today Hereford Pale Ale was on offer…
Wye Valley Brewery HPA (Hereford Pale Ale) is a popular 4.0% ABV, pale straw-colored, bottle-conditioned real ale brewed in Herefordshire, England. Known for its light and crisp profile, it features a citrus hop aroma and a balanced bitter finish, brewed with local Target and Celeia hops.
Tasted as good as before!
Time wasn’t on our side and we had to get back…
The dressing room…
Keith likes a video…
It was almost time to go on and their was a sense of anticipation out front…
We came on to a great roar from the crowd!!
Some videos…
ATN
ATN
Later on we watched the Monday’s set from the back of the hall with our guests…
Another great performance
What a brilliant day!!!
Next stop Bournemouth…
Sunday 5th April 2026 – Bournemouth O2 Academy
O2 Academy Bournemouth is an outstanding Grade II listed building and provides a beautiful backdrop for any live performance. Over 130 years old, the venue was built in 1894 by Archibald Beckett and opened on 27 May 1895 as The Grand Theatre and Pavilion. Early shows came from some of the biggest talents of the time, alongside silent film, opera and even a circus. In 1899 it became the Boscombe Grand Theatre, a Music Hall which also hosted singing, dancing and comedy shows, as well as theatre productions.
Happy Easter…
Overnight we stayed just outside Birmingham.
Our walk this morning took us to a footpath circumnavigating an electricity substation…
This looks more interesting…
It wasn’t
Walking back to the hotel we discovered another farm themed pub…
Time to head off…
Today’s lunchtime stop-off is in the tiny village of Ovington in Hampshire…
Ovington is a village on the banks of the River Itchen in Hampshire, just upstream, to the west, of New Alresford. It stands on the south bank of the river at a meeting of lanes, just away from the dual carriageway of the A41. At the 2001 census it had a recorded population of 163. Its largest building in the central area is Ovington House, of no great antiquity, but whose North Lodge is listed as Grade II.
Several hours later we arrived…
The North Lodge…
St. Peter’s church….
St. Peter’s Church in Ovington, the church is known for its flint walls and a distinctive oak bell tower topped with a spire. It is a Victorian-era structure that is approximately 150 years old. The churchyard is historically significant, featuring old headstones and a scenic rural setting.
Eventually we reached our destination…
The Bush Inn…
Situated on the banks of the River Itchen in the picturesque village of Ovington. This traditional 17th century pub is sure to give you a lasting memory whatever the season. Whether you are here in summer to enjoy the calmness and serenity of our riverside garden or snuggling up next to one of our log fires in the winter.
It’s a fantastic country pub and we were very lucky to get a cancellation as it was Easter Sunday…
Inside we ordered the Wadworth 6X…
ABV 4.1% draft This hand crafted ale is a timeless amber-hued beer distinctively full bodied and eminently drinkable. The nose is malty and fruity with a balancing hoppy note. The delicious malt and fruit character emerge even more intensely on the palate with a long, lingering malty finish. In 6X we brew with Pale Ale, Crystal and Black malts, while Fuggles and Goldings hops add to the flavour.
Our table was ready…
The beer tasted great…
Menu looked good as well…
Dinner was spot on!
Mixed roast
Next up we ordered the ‘Henry’s IPA’…
We consider Henry’s IPA to be one of the best; with an ABV of 3.4%, it’s a light bronze ale with delicate malt aromas. Easy drinking with cereal notes and a lingering finish.
Henry’s IPA seen here on the left…
The pub is located in a beautiful area…
Another Polaroid…
The river Itchen
Time for us to go…
Pub of the tour so far
Nap time…
Soon enough we arrived at the venue…
There were albums to be signed…
The venue was amazing…
Charlie Chaplin appeared on this stage as a young performer before his rise to Hollywood stardom. He was known to have toured with Fred Karno’s famous comedy company, which often played at venues across the UK.
Today, the area celebrates this history with Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar on Christchurch Road. It is a heavily themed venue that houses the second largest collection of Charlie Chaplin memorabilia in the world and features over 130 images and murals of the comedian.
What are we waiting for?
Clean-tasting, easy-drinking bitter. Well balanced with lingering bitterness after moderate sweetness. 4.2% ABV
Wasn’t bad although sipped from plastic glasses…
The Polaroid version…
After soundcheck we nipped back to Chaplin’s and sat outside…
After a couple of Jurassic’s we headed back stage…
BrewDog Wingman is a session IPA, this is a smooth ride of mellow tropical fruits, piney notes and a sharp citrus aroma. Refreshing, infinitely drinkable and with a steady boozing altitude of 4.3%.
Apparently Laurel & Hardy played in this theatre in the 1950’s…
Time to go on!
Great photos by Sammie Hatch
Crowd were brilliant!!!
After the show we met up with our good friend Joe Musker who played percussion with us in our early years…
Sadly we had to shoot off as we had a long drive home…
sipadvisor 