Thomas Vosper has been on a pub crawl for his birthday every year since his mid-20s – and has visited more than 1,000 boozers in the process, sharing his personal favourite best pubs UK-wide
The great British pub crawl is a tradition that’s slowly slipping away, as increasing numbers of pubs face the threat of closure and drinkers are progressively drawn to staying in and capitalising on cheap supermarket deals.
However, Thomas Vosper is on a solo crusade to preserve that tradition – and has chronicled his passion for a proper pub crawl across six best-selling books. The most recent, Historic Pub Crawls Through Scotland, hits shelves this week.
Thomas is a firm advocate for the significance of pubs. “Whenever you go anywhere in the country, whether you’re with friends, whether you’re with family, even if you’re on your own, the first place you stop for is somewhere to get a drink and a bite to eat,” he told us.
“I think that pubs and pub crawls specifically are a fantastic way of seeing different parts of history in an area and also the people as well.”
Thomas has been organising a pub crawl to mark his birthday annually since his mid-twenties. But when a string of personal challenges left him at a crossroads in 2023, he chose to transform his pastime into a personal quest, gathering together a baker’s dozen of his top pub crawl routes into a self-published book that became a viral sensation.
Along the way, he has visited over 1,000 watering holes. When plotting out a pub crawl, he suggests aiming for roughly 12 stops: “You can get a good variety of pubs that way… if you don’t fancy a certain type of pub, you can skip it and still know that it’s not long to get to the next one.
“For example some people might like a Sam Smith’s pub, some don’t, some like the big sort of grand banking halls, you know, that you see like on Wetherspoons typically. Others want a sports bar. I always think you could get a good mix out of 12.”
Thomas says it’s undeniable that that the capital provides the broadest range of pubs: “As a Londoner, with 3,500 pubs, which is about 10% of the UK pubs, London’s always the best place, for a drink.”
He admits, though, that there’s something special about Liverpool. “I would say that Liverpool’s an absolutely sensational place though,” he said. “It’s got some of the world’s most beautiful pubs.” While he’s hesitant to single out one specific favourite from the hundreds he’s visited while researching his publications, he has compiled a selection of 10 especially noteworthy watering holes he’d happily return to for a relaxing pint.
The Marquis – Covent Garden, London
Boasting a rich and fascinating history stretching back to the infamous Anne Talbot, mistress of the Duke of Buckingham between 1667 and 1673, The Marquis – originally known as the Hole in the Wall – delivers a wonderfully eclectic ambience paired with an outstanding retro music policy.
The Warrington Hotel – Maida Vale, London
A Grade II listed establishment that featured in an episode of the beloved 70s police drama the Sweeney, the Warrington exudes a warm, old-school charm that sits perfectly alongside the historic theme of Thomas’s pub crawls.
The Old Joint Stock – Birmingham.
Widely regarded as the finest pub in the Midlands, The Old Joint Stock boasts not only a superb pub-grub menu but also its very own studio theatre.
The Philharmonic – Liverpool
A wonderfully atmospheric Victorian pub complete with antique wood panelling, ornate tiling, leather sofas, stained glass and chandeliers, sinking a pint in the Philharmonic is akin to being transported back to the golden era of the great British pub.
The Vines – Liverpool
Also fondly referred to as “The Big House,” The Vines is a truly spectacular setting. Tracing its roots back to 1907, it showcases breathtaking period architecture, sweeping mahogany bars, elaborate plasterwork, and a magnificent stained-glass dome.
The Peveril of the Peak – Manchester
Regarded as being of “outstanding national historic importance” by The Campaign for Real Ale, this curiously-named establishment dates back to the 1820s. Its name is thought to derive either from a novel by Sir Walter Scott, or perhaps the London-to-Manchester stagecoach.
Much like Covent Garden’s Marquis, it was reportedly used as a brothel for a considerable number of years.
The Guildford Arms – Edinburgh
One of Scotland’s celebrated “People’s Palaces,” The Guildford Arms is among a rare few elaborately designed and ornately decorated bars that hark back to what many regard as the ‘Golden Age’ of Scottish pub design.
The Centurion – Newcastle
Another timeless, wood-panelled pub, the Centurion has undergone a sports bar makeover in recent years, yet still manages to retain an enchanting old-world charm.
The Prince Albert – Brighton
Very much in keeping with the Sussex city’s bohemian spirit, the Prince Albert doubles as a music venue alongside its role as a pub. It is perhaps best known for its striking mural depicting legendary musical icons such as Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain.
The Gravediggers – Dublin
You’d be hard-pressed to find a poor pint of Guinness anywhere in Dublin, but the Gravediggers stands apart for serving one of the finest. It’s a staunchly traditional boozer with no music, no television screening endless football, where good conversation reigns supreme.
It comes as little surprise, Thomas notes, that Ireland remains the ultimate destination for a Guinness: “If you go to Ireland, that’s where the best Guinness is. End of. There debate’s over.
“if you want a lager, go to Scotland and go and get a Tennent’s. It’s their national drink – well that or Irn-Bru.”
Thomas’ associated @historicpubcrawls Instagram account boasts well over a quarter of a million followers, yet it all began from remarkably modest origins: “I started going into pubs, bearing in mind I didn’t even have an Instagram account at that point, and saying ‘You’re in my book. Can I have a free pint? I’m going to film it and put it on the internet. I’ll be famous, you’ll be rich.'”.
“Obviously,” he added, “the first place that I went into told me to go and do one. as you can imagine..And in fact most did on that day. We went to 15, five told me to do one, five said ‘Buy your own drink, you cheeky sod. And the final one gave us pints all night.
“I thought ‘I might be onto something here.’ That was 21⁄2 years ago when I started doing that. And now, my 1st few books did really well, and so that then got me the attention of a publisher… that seemed great to me.”
For his latest title, Historic Pub Crawls Through Scotland, he will naturally be raising a glass or two in Edinburgh to mark the occasion: “My book launch is going to be at the Guildford Arms,” he says, “which is just one of the most beautiful pubs in the whole world.”
