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Great question katie1!

My personal view on pubs is that they are an ideal meeting point for friends. Preferably without loud music or gimmicks, but a comforting place where you can unwind and celebrate, console, empathise or sympathise with the people closest to you.

The purpose of the pub and inn as a meeting or resting place has barely changed over the centuries. Despite the plethora of themed pubs that have appeared in recent years, there are still a number that have kept faith with tradition, although in a way it is good to have a pub for every occasion, whether it's your local for a quiet time and the taste and smell of real ale or a chain pub to go for a cheap lunch and swift pint on a Friday lunchtime.

I work in central London and there are still a number of authentic pubs housed in the most fascinating Victorian buildings, some of which have barely changed over a century or two. For me, nothing beats the setting of a country pub that you know travellers would have inhabited possibly three or four hundred years before, with the obligatory log fire to warm your cockles. That gives me a real buzz.

I am not a big drinker. I like a few pints of the black stuff on a cold winter's night and a comforting smile from the long suffering barmaid who you know has to endure countless men ogling her and thinking she will be their next conquest, but who always maintains an air of politeness but can be stern when necessary and then the landlord who is happy to chat and even knows your name and favourite tipple. I always enjoy a drink before and after seeing my beloved Tottenham Hotspur play at The Ship, where away fans happily mix with the Spurs faithful.

Of course there are many pubs with a very impersonal feel, but they serve their purpose too. Perhaps a convenient stopping off place after a long day's shopping, to catch your favourite team on the big screen or taking in the atmosphere of a big international rugby or football tournament, sharing the euphoria and subsequent hurt of seeing England not quite make it once again!

There is no one way to describe the feeling of being in a pub, especially one that's become your regular. Whether going to catch up with mates, play some pool, have a meal, watch a game or just read the paper in solitude, nowhere else in the world matches up to the unique feeling of the traditional English pub.

I think it has to be the people.

I'd say - traditional wood bar.. good chairs... nice beer (preferably a mixture of real ales, good wines, and hand pulled cider) and a fire (in winter!) but in the summer (coming soon to a garden near you!) its essential to have a good beer garden!!
My hometown of Cambridge has many good pubs, i'd say the Anchor is one of my favourites there, right on the Cam and stunning views and a charming little terrace outside!

Still think that is the company you are keeping!

Come on its all about the beer!! Yes, everything else said above I agree with, but the beer is the one....

Unless you're going for a pub meal, now that's another matter - then you need great local produce as well as great beer....

absolutely - if the kids are happy so am I

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Northy
Enjoy England Web Team

For me to go to the same pub twice (don't visit many anyway) there has to be a distinguishing feature. Therefore I have several favourites where I first experienced a particular thing, liked it, and go back for it.

In one village I have two favourite pubs. One is favourite because I first tasted Stowford Press cider there (haven't seen it on draught anywhere else) and another because I went there the first time I took the wife, who took a little-girlish delight in the log fire and old household implements on the walls.

Others include: the one in Kingston I used to watch the Cup Final in (many closer): the one I watched Aston Villa versus The Scum from St. Andrews derbies in (different one, different part of London): the one in the village I cannot remember in Devon, encountered on one of my solo walks in pitch darkness, which always seemed to end there, all very dark wood and high backed benches: the one in Surrey with a copy of a book of poetry unseen since adolescence in its bookshelf: the one in Lincoln where two women kept asking me about small towns in the South East, because they associated them with Cliff Richard, their object of desire.

Barmaids help of course - have fond memories of one in a pub near St. Paul's Cathedral. Kept going there long after she was gone!

Given the glorious weather we are having, I think it has to be a pub with a great beer garden and chilled atmosphere.