Wednesday 21 April 2021

A Window on Hythe History...

 

Last August the second wave/lockdown of the pandemic and Retired Martin's move to Sheffield were still events that were unimaginable* when, with both excitement and apprehension,  I set off to visit one of the oldest pubs in Hythe, and amazingly one which has kept (more or less) the same name since first being opened in 1851.

According to the authoritative source of Hythe history, Graham Parkes, in his book ‘Hythe A Waterside Village’, the site of the pub has been associated with beer and brewing for over 250 years, when a malthouse and possibly a brewery existed from around 1750. 


The Malt, as it is now known, started out life in the 19th century as the Malt and Hops Tavern.  Though the brick building itself is not a historical attention grabber, it still sits on a street of pretty terraced cottages of similar vintage, though some shades of their exterior decor may be more modern.  


Inside The Malt there is now little sense of the pub's history and it is laid out as a 'homely' pub. Sofas, well spaced tables and chairs, vases of flowers, clock over the mantelpiece and the TV playing the afternoon quiz shows... 

...and the cosy little bar, definitely make it feel like you could be in someone's front room.  The most striking (and probably the main remaining historical) feature is definitely the front bay window (top photo) which lets the sunlight stream into the bright and airy front lounge bar.  There's a rear bar/games room too and out back there is a pleasant secluded garden (I should have been an estate agent).

I mentioned being apprehensive about this visit because I had heard that there was no cask ale here.  Indeed there wasn't, but I needn't have worried, as the keg John Smith's Smoothflow was drinking well (as Retired Martin would say)....and little did I know that post Lockdown2 this might become the pub bloggers 'drink of choice' across the land.

...and it was pleasant just to sit, sipping my classic ale and listen to the other two locals having a go at answering quiz show questions when prompted by the TV.

The sign on the wall said it all really and though this historic pub may be firmly in the modern age, it is still doing a good job of being a great place where locals can relax and socialise over a drink or two.....what more can you ask for?....

 

hmmm...a keg of top craft ale like Greene King West Coast IPA wouldn't go amiss...!

* though of course the threat of Russ' apostrophe check was ever present... (did I get that one right Russ?)

9 comments:

  1. "Last August the second wave/lockdown of the pandemic and Retired Martin's move to Sheffield were still events that were unimaginable* "

    How times change. ;)

    "the site of the pub has been associated with beer and brewing for over 250 years, when a malthouse and possibly a brewery existed from around 1750. "

    Now THAT'S history!

    "though some shades of their exterior decor may be more modern."

    You mean like that eye watering purple building in the photo? :)

    Oh, and I just realised you meant Hythe, Southampton, not Hythe near Folkstone!
    (which should have been obvious really)

    "and the cosy little bar, definitely make it feel like you could be in someone's front room"

    Hopefully my man shed/pub will feel a bit like that.

    "(I should have been an estate agent)."

    (slow golf clap)

    "and little did I know that post Lockdown2 this might become the pub bloggers 'drink of choice' across the land."

    LOL! Indeed! :)

    "The sign on the wall said it all really and though this historic pub may be firmly in the modern age, it is still doing a good job of being a great place where locals can relax and socialise over a drink or two.....what more can you ask for?...."

    Well said.

    "hmmm...a keg of top craft ale like Greene King West Coast IPA wouldn't go amiss...!"

    LOL! Well said! :)

    "* though of course the threat of Russ' apostrophe check was ever present... (did I get that one right Russ?)"

    Top notch my good man! And I think it's time I were a bit more lenient due to these trying times. ;)

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need you to keep a close eye on those apostrophes Russ - no leniency!

      Pub shed sounds great - I look forward to swapping tales from our respective pub sheds. I think my previous posts which include the pub shed are on my Old Farts Adventures blog?

      Yes - definitely an eye watering shade of purple - still I guess they’ll never forget where they live!

      Cheers Russ!

      Delete
    2. "I need you to keep a close eye on those apostrophes Russ - no leniency!"

      If you insist. ;)

      "Pub shed sounds great - I look forward to swapping tales from our respective pub sheds. I think my previous posts which include the pub shed are on my Old Farts Adventures blog?"

      I may need the link for that again (blush).

      Due to circumstances, I don't think I'll be enjoying mine 'properly' until this fall. The good news is that before mid-May most everything concerning the structure shall be done.* Furniture, fridge, actual bar and whatnot will have to wait.

      Cheers

      * - Structure, flooring , electrical , painting, heating & cooling will all be done. Some minor stuff such as door and window framing may have to wait.

      Delete
    3. Hi Russ - I'll do the OF Adventure link below.

      You pub plans sound great. I came across this guys You Tube video the other day - this is what you need for your pub shed - just fantastic. If you can't watch it all - lot of explanation in the first half - watch it from 35 mins onward...
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axNggqVVPmI

      Incidentally he's in Sheffield! if Retired Martin had discovered him earlier he might have been invited round while the pubs were closed.

      The OF's Adventure blog (some of which are in my micro-pubshed) is here...

      https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/6106995273251066971

      Not sure if the links work in the comment - you may have to copy /paste the adress - hope it works. :)



      Delete
    4. Blimey! His pub/shed puts mine to shame alas (but I'm still going to enjoy mine).

      Your blogger link didn't work but I found the OF blog via your profile. Will scroll through there looking for the pub/shed when I can find the time!

      Cheers

      "Incidentally he's in Sheffield! if Retired Martin had discovered him earlier he might have been invited round while the pubs were closed."

      LOL! And Martin could have called it a pre-emptive tick! :)

      Delete
  2. Welcome back Hermit (albeit with a retro post including beermats!) That John Smith's looks remarkably appetising …or have I just gone back to work this week and am suffering from withdrawal symptoms!!
    I have to say it's looking a bit grim for the merry Millers once again...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Beermat.

      You’re right about The Millers but games in hand so still some hope...
      ... and of course the ESL will now be looking for other top teams whose players don’t care if they’re banned from playing in the World Cup because they’ll never be picked anyway🙄

      PS....I think you’re probably suffering from withdrawal symptoms 😀

      Delete
  3. Welcome back to retro blogging GH. Glad to see you've discovered the joys of Proper Beer.

    That does look a pleasing pub, cask or no.

    Sorry I keep confusing Barnsley and Rotherham. I knew it was Northern.

    ReplyDelete
  4. สำหรับผู้ที่ชื่นชอบภาพยนตร์ และผู้ชมทุกท่าน ที่ชื่นชอบ ดูหนังฟรีออนไลน์ ซีรีย์ที่ชื่นชอบในการรับชมภาพยนตร์ ซีรีย์ ดูซีรีย์ออนไลน์ อัพเดทใหม่ตลอดทั้งเดือน

    ReplyDelete