Last year, in 2009, the British Beer and Pub Association identified the closure of 893 rural pubs out of 53,000 in the UK. Although the number may seem small, almost half of Britain’s villages no longer have pubs, reflecting a diminishing way of life.
England is, of course, well known for large cities like London, Manchester, and Liverpool. However, for many tourists, the joys of exploring the rural countryside with its beautiful landscapes and wonderful sense of community can be one of the greatest pleasures of travel.
And what says ‘England’ more than the village pub–a gathering place for workers of all ages to enjoy a cold beer after a hard day’s work and catch up on village gossip.
These small rural pubs are the heart of many English villages. However, due to high taxes and higher rental costs, these establishments are barely surviving as people choose to purchase more economically-priced beer from the store, and stay home to drink.
So if you intend to visit the UK soon, don’t miss your chance to experience the joys of ye olde English pub before they disappear for good.