Tuesday 22 May 2018

The Great British Pub - a visitor's guide

British Pubs Explained


The British Pub is an age old British institution that has stood the test of time and now it's centuries old. Medieval water was not safe to drink on account of all and sundry dispatching their trash, garbage and even excrement into the rivers and streams with all the abandonment of the modern day teenager slinging McDonalds wrappers under their car before they roar away in a souped up VW. Yes, the 'if I can't see it then it doesn't exist' mentality is not a new phenomena. Beer was invented as during the manufacturing process the water would be intensely boiled and, by doing so, kill off all the nasty bugs lurking within so, and you can use this, it was safer to drink beer than it was the water.



It became pretty obvious, very quickly, that two pints of this stuff they call beer made us very chatty and sociable, so it seemed logical to have a venue where upon we could drink said beer, talk, discuss and debate..... Then, after several more beers, we could continue to punch any person that disagreed with our given point of view while talking and debating and drinking. It was decided that this should be a public place, a house, a Public House! HOORAY!! But let us please now shorten this to Pub on account of the British being very, very lazy with language.



These places became very popular, workers would meet after the days toil to 'chew the cud' or, if in Ireland have 'a craic'. As the proliferation of these establishments grew rapidly the need to identify one Pub from the next spawned the Pub name. In the beginning they took the lead from their patrons or surrounding area, such as The Coach and Horses which, as the name suggests was a refuelling station for Horses and their occupants, that hauled people, mail or produce from one town to the next. The Coopers Arms would have been frequented by barrel makers and The Kings Head was a Royal sycophant and so on and so forth. The Red Dragon was by far the most popular name for a pub but landlords, again appreciating their clientele, got clever, for instance a pub near the financial district of London calls itself  'Shaws Booksellers' so when a suspicious boss asked what you did in your lunch break you didn't have to tell too many lies and could leave the boss to assume you were studying. My personal favourite name for a pub called The Dog House. The pub is born!



Every Hamlet, Village, Town and City had a pub or more than one pub. They did great business, admittedly these gaffs were mainly frequented by the working class but Winston Churchill loved the Pub, Prince William was often seen in Catherine's local pub in Bucklebury during their courting years and Madonna even owed a Mayfair drinking hole while married to Guy Ritchie. A Pub gives you and your area identity, you always met your mates in the pub, you probably met your spouse while in the pub, you've been offered dodgy cigarettes and stolen goods in a pub. It all happened in the Pub. The Pub has changed dramatically over the last 20 - 25 years, the death of UK manufacturing has meant that shipyards and coal mines no longer spew out thirsty workers 'when the whistle blows' which has seen a decline in the Pub trade with around 30.000 establishments closing in the past 10 or so years. The survivors have had to adapt and cater to a more family market. Nearly all Pubs now serve food and redefine themselves as Gastro Pubs or even Restaurants and, to be fair, a lot of them do an excellent job though it would be wise to take a large pinch of salt to claims of 'Home Made' and 'Best Fish and Chips'.


You must visit a pub on any visit to the UK and I am here to assist you.

Ordering

Do not be put off by stories of 'warm, dark beer' - try the beer, agreed, it isn't ice cold like your American lager/blonde glass of gas but it has a thing I am sure you are going to enjoy called flavour. Beer is served not warm but at room temperature, it isn't gassy or fizzy but neither is it flat. You will order a pint (it used to be a half pint for the ladies but girls are not having that these days so get them a pint too). It should be poured with the glass tilted to the pump at around 45 degrees and, when the liquid has 'settled' have no more than an inch of frothy white stuff at the top of your glass then you drink through the froth. Politely ask to have your pint 'topped off' if different, you paid for a pint so you are entitled to a pint.



Don't make that North American mistake of asking to taste the different selection of beers on offer, it is a legitimate request but, trust me, irritates the server no end as well as the guy behind you who, on this rare hot day in England, is 'spitting feathers' (desperate fro a drink). Ask which is the local beer and stick to that; London Pride in London, Newcastle Exhibition in Newcastle and Boddingtons in Manchester - each region will have its own brewery supplying locally produced beer so get on side with the locals and flatter them in joining them.



Ordering food in a pub is simple but perhaps different to what you are used to. Firstly, Pubs normally have an explanation as to what is expected of you on a blackboard sign as you enter the building. For example;
Find a table,
Note the Table number,
Order and pay for food at the bar.


Top Tip - while at the bar, ordering your food, purchase your drinks. These can be enjoyed in the 30 minutes it takes them to get your food to the table. In this scenario tipping is not really done here but it is always good to 'round up' if paying prior to the meal being delivered. In the event that you get table service with payment at the end of the meal then do as you normally do in a restaurant or see my last Blog 'Tipping in the UK'.



Good to know.


Old Tam's Chair. Mainly found, though not exclusively, in country pubs this is the best seat in the house but set aside for the exclusive use of an old, loyal and eccentric customer who always sits there. The locals all know it is Old Tam's chair and even though the old git isn't even in the pub at that particular moment, you cannot sit there just in case he turns up. Better to tell you now diplomatically than have Old Tam bark at you on his arrival.



The Round. In the pub it is customary, when meeting friends and family or indeed any gathering of people, to 'get your round in'. For instance, if there was 5 people in your party then you will purchase 5 drinks, this is known as 'your round' then on completion of these drinks the second person, then third person and so on will WITHOUT PROMPTING get their round in. If you do have to prompt then keep it civilised to start with by saying to the gathering 'whose shout is it?' That should be enough to shame the next one up to the bar. It is a heinous crime to join 'a round' then leave before you have honoured your commitment. It can be seen as a sign of weakness if you declare that you do not want to join 'a round' unless you happen to be struggling financially or the wife is ovulating and you might get called back.



One in the Wood. This is a description for a pint being left for you at the bar. Lets say your friend, Dave, has agreed to meet you in the Red Dragon at 7pm, you are late but, no worries, he orders a pint of Bishops Finger to enjoy while he waits. Then he gets a call from his wife to say that she is ovulating and he has to get home now and he had better be sober. When you eventually reach the pub you ask the landlord (this is before cell phones) 'where did Dave go' and he will pass on Dave's apologise but also hand you a pint, bought and paid for by Dave, with the words 'he left one in the wood for you'.



Last Orders Is called loudly and verbally along with a ringing of a bell to let the whole boozer know that they have one last opportunity to buy a drink, (usually around 10.30pm). Unwritten rule and landlords discretion says you then have between 5-10 minutes to get up to the bar and order before...



Time Gentleman Please is called, to politely ask you to go home. Ladies please do not be offended by the call being to gentleman and not ladies, this is a throwback to when the only customers in a pub were men. Traditionally the only ladies that frequented such dens of iniquity were either prostitutes or collecting for the Salvation Army. None of you are excluded, the landlord/lady would now like all of you, regardless of gender, to 'Drink up' with the question 'no homes to go to?'.

LEAVE!







Tuesday 8 May 2018

Tipping in the UK - info for visitors


The unanswerable question I get a lot from visitors to the UK is 'how much do I leave as a tip? '

 

As talking cash in the Former European Country of Great Britain is still considered terribly rude to most of us and simply not the done thing dear boy, I am here to give you some answers. 


The culture of leaving or receiving a gratuity is still very alien to us Brit's so the perennial problem for any fair minded North Americans heading this way (and knowing you will tip), how much you should leave can become as complex to you guys as 'how many times do I apologise for Donald Trump?' When the first question when here is actually 'should I tip?'...you should always apologise for Trump. 

 

The first and most important thing you need to know is that 'WE ONLY REWARD GOOD SERVICE'

 

Whereas in the US it seems that it is an (unwritten) part of the Constitution to leave a tip, you do need to reset that thinking when calling in on us here in the UK. For, brace yourself, a tip here is NEVER expected but ALWAYS gratefully received. To explain, most of us (I'll come back to that) are happy to reward good service but can as easily register our disapproval of bad service by 1) NOT tipping before 2) 'tut tutting' our disapproval loudly while shuffling out of the restaurant. 

 

Traditionally, rule of thumb says that, we leave a gratuity of between 10-15%, my wife gives 10%, me 15%. But then it gets a bit more complicated...

 

I'll Keep it Simple..

 

Restaurants


 

Scenario 1

A £100 check - with ok service and you all getting the correct burger, leave £110.

 

Scenario 2

A £100 check - the service was good, lots of smiles and directions to Abbey Road, leave £115 - £120 

However, you'd be no less thought of in sticking to the £110 tip, as in Scenario 1, as long you back it up with a pleasant 'thank you' to your server as you depart. 

 

Scenario 3

A £100 check - the service was exceptional, burger cooked to how you, not the chef, like it, leave £130......you are now more popular than a Downtown Abbey Christmas Special and should have the restaurant door held open and next Royal baby named after you. 

 

Simple Eh? Hmm, buckle up.

 

Most restaurants now automatically, and somewhat sneakily, add a thing they call 'Service Charge' to your final bill, which we Brit's do not consider to be Cricket.

 

For example purposes, and sticking with the £100 bill, a 'typical' service charge added would read:

 

Total.                    £100.00

Service charge.    £12.50

Total.                    £112.50

 

The British do not like Service Charge as it is the management telling us that we are happy with the experience, before we have had the experience, we do not like being told what to do (A little German fellow tried similar bully boy tactics back in the 1940's so we took the cane from atop the cupboard and administered a damn, sound thrashing) . Restaurants do this because should the meal turn out to be a bad experience most of us, being British, will never ask for the check to be adjusted (we consider public confrontation unacceptable unless up against the French).  Restaurant management guilt you by saying that the Service Charge is introduced to ensure all waiting staff received a gratuity (nessacery because of the terrible wages they pay them!! ) Very worthy.... except remember? 'WE ONLY REWARD GOOD SERVICE!!!!'

 

Back to our £100 check.. 

 

Scenario 1. Pay the Service Charge but DO NOT ADD A FURTHER GRATUITY!!

 

Scenario 2. Pay the Service Charge then add £5 - £10 cash tip directly into the servers hand.

 

Scenario 3. Pay the Service Charge and add extra cash to server of around £20.

 

Poor Service. 


If you have had poor - terrible service then be brave, you are not going to like this next bit, but ask for the service charge to be removed from your check AND DO NOT TIP. They won't argue but simply return an amended check with you paying for only the food/ drinks you've consumed. Service Charge is NOT a law or an official tax (unless it is clearly brought to your attention, usually on the menu, prior to you ordering) and is, ultimately, them deciding what gratuity you should pay. A few years ago it was exposed that a lot of restaurants, not all, were charging you the service charge then NOT passing it onto their staff. Scandalous!!!

 

Here's what I do.

Assuming I first want to leave a tip, when the bill arrives I, quietly, ask the server if they actually benefit from the service charge. You will be shocked at how many of them give you a discreet shake of the head.

So, I insist the service charge be removed from the check then pass the cash tip (pertinent to Scenario's 1, 2 or 3) directly to the waiter/waitress. The restaurant will not/cannot complain as that money was going to the server anyway, RIGHT??. If the server tells me that the management are fair and that they split the gratuity then I would keep it official  ensuring all, waiter to chef and dishwasher, benefit. 

 

Remember,  if *Service Charge is going to be added then the restaurant should inform you of that on their menu before you order.

 

Transport.



My particular field of expertise and should I ever have the pleasure of driving you please don't forget to add your tip for these tips to my driving tip. You have several options with ground transportation so I'll break it down again as you'll get away with paying less to some than others.

 

London Black Cab 


With over 6000 'Cabbies' swarming the city they count many fantastic, polite and knowledgeable drivers on their ranks. 

For a Heathrow to City Centre a £70 fare can be rewarded with a £7 - £10 tip

Journeys across city. If the meter reads £17.20p give £20 and a 'keep the change' victory speech, if it is bang on £20 give £2. If you have no change for that, just say so, pay the £20 and leave ' as a tip is never expected but gratef..... yeah, you get it.

 

Good to know: 

All, but all London Taxi's have a credit card machine but you wouldn't believe the amount of times the machine is faulty or lost Wi-Fi.  Reflect that in your gratuity. Also, conversations best avoided are Uber, Brexit and 'which soccer team they follow?'

 

Black Car/Chauffeur Service


Heathrow to City Centre, Tip  £10 - £15

Journeys across City - all depends on service, vehicle and competence (as ever) but if making single journey £5 is good. If making several journeys then always wait until after last drop off and give £20 - £40.

 

Uber


Heathrow to City Centre £10.

Journeys across City: £3 - £5 

Always much more appreciated in cash and not on the app, as they have to wait for. (and declare) that. 

 


Hotels


5* 


Concierge/Door man - give him/her £20 as soon as you arrive.

Luggage Delivery £5

Taxi hail - £2

Hotel restaurant - see Scenario 3 in Restaurant section.

 

4*


Concierge/Door man - give him/her £20 as soon as you arrive.

Luggage Delivery £2

Taxi hail:  £1 - £2

Hotel restaurant - see Scenario 2 in Restaurant section.

 

3*


Concierge/Door man - you'll open your own door 

Luggage Delivery: lifts are over to your left

Taxi hail - you will hail your own taxi 

Hotel restaurant - do not eat in a 3* hotel restaurant, you deserve better.  

 

Good to know: while at the airport money change load up with £5 notes and £2 coins, very useful.

 


Private Tour Guides 


A tip should be between £40 - £100 depending on length of day and enjoyment of tour. 

 

Good to know: 

Please do not proffer cash towards your guide while in the hotel foyer, especially towards a lady, Other guests will witness this and could jump to the wrong conclusion on the type of service she has provided. On the flip side the same applies if you have enjoyed a 'lady of the night' as other guests might, again, jump to the wrong concussion and begin testing her Henry Vlll knowledge when all she wants to do is go home and sleep.

 


In summary :


A tip is never expected but always gratefully received.

 

'WE ONLY REWARD GOOD SERVICE'

 

Service Charge is still at your discretion* and not compulsory to pay.

 

Lastly, believe it or not, some people in the UK never, ever leave a tip, some will even ask for the service charge to be removed then still not tip the waiter even when the experience has been excellent!

 

So, believe me, you leaving any form of appreciation will be appreciated.

 

Enjoy your visit to the UK

 

I am Kevin Willis and I Travel for...My clients.

Chirton Grange Ltd. Award winning Chauffeur Company

 


www.twitter.com/chirtongrange  Follow us on twitter!

 

+44 7725 467263

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Become a London Gentleman with Chirton Grange

A London Gentleman has long been held as the pinnacle of style and swagger. Ever since time began, the men in the Gentlemen's Clubs of London have been the yardstick of sophistication for men across the globe.
Now, thanks to Chirton Grange, you have the chance to step into their shoes for one day and leave the capital with everything you need to continue as a London Gentleman.
Beginning at your hotel, your chauffeur will collect and take you for a traditional wet shave at one of London's top barbershops. Whether it's a traditional shave at Trumper's, something more modern at Ruffians or a celebrity cut at Joe and Co, you'll be looking sharp as we head to our next stop.




At Floris, you'll be taken for a "scent consultation" before spending some time with an aftershave specialist to mix your own scent - unique to you and complimenting your natural musk - which you'll then take with you in your monogrammed bottle to the suit fitting.
Paul Smith is a British designer who opened his first store in Nottingham in 1970. Ever since then, he's been designing suits and clothing for the gentlemen of Britain and you'll follow in their footsteps at a personal fitting before being presented with some choices.
After ordering your suit, we'll take you on to Dukes Bar in Mayfair - home of the Martini - to enjoy James Bond's favourite drink, safe in the knowledge you're now a London Bloke.

Monday 8 May 2017

A Standard British Summer

Summer is coming to the UK (slowly) and before it all arrives, we thought we'd fill you in on some of the events taking place around the capital and the rest of the country. These are the standard annual events in a British summer but are, nonetheless, must see ahead of our quirkier preview of summer.

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

The tents and marquees have already begun springing up in the Royal Chelsea Hospital grounds overlooking the River Thames. By Tuesday 23rd May, it'll all be ready to go. Hundreds of gardeners, both professional and amateur will be exhibiting the fruits of their last 12 months labour for London and the World to see. The show runs from the Tuesday until the Saturday so book now before it sells out!

WIMBLEDON

In July, the cream of World tennis descends on SW17 to compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in the LTA calendar. Along with the talented competitors, the cream and strawberries, champagne and Pimms also descends on this decadent tournament. Starting on 3rd July and running until the 16th, this tournament runs for two weeks and although tickets have long since sold out, a select number are also available in another British classic each morning, "The Queue".

FA CUP FINAL

This year Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final in May. The game, at Wembley Stadium, is the first all London tie in the Final since the same two teams competed in the 2002 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Again, tickets are selling fast but hospitality is still available for the day as are chauffeur cars to get you there

ROYAL ASCOT

The jewel in the horse racing calendar, Royal Ascot takes place between Tuesday 20th June and Saturday 24th June. The 5 day event brings together Royalty with race fans in all their finery to cheer on the finest that British Horse Racing has to offer. A day's hire for Ascot are available by car, coach and even helicopter.

Tuesday 14 March 2017

A Magical Tour

At Chirton Grange we’re one of the few Muggles who have the knowledge of the magical world and we’ve used it to bring you the complete Harry Potter tour. The day in London will involve traveling in a mystical Mercedes around the various sites before heading up to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour to get the complete immersive Potter experience.

After being collected from your hotel in the morning, we’ll whisk you down to the Ministry of Magic and show you the entrances – sorry, you can’t go in – before a quick spin around Gringotts Bank with a stop for photos. We’ll then head to Diagon Alley and see the Leaky Cauldron as well as showing you the bridge tragically destroyed by the Death Eaters (miraculously still standing).

Once the selfie tour of Potter sites in London is complete, we’ll apparate off to North London and the Harry Potter Studio tour. This really is the best way to immerse yourself in the world created by JK Rowling, you’ll get to ride a broom, see more of Diagon Alley, visit the Great Hall at Hogwarts as well as learning spells and incantations.

And after all that, we’ll whisk you back to your hotel where you’ll be able to fall under a heavy sleeping spell and recharge for the rest of your break. NOTE – Please ensure you bring wands, you never know what Fantastic Beasts we’ll encounter

Tuesday 7 March 2017

A Tour of Cornwall

Well, Devon, Cornwall and Avon to be really precise... Recently we were asked by a client to put together a tour for the area for them and some friends. Naturally, we were only too happy to piece together our favourite parts of the area and the client - so please with our work - has naturally booked the tour already... In case you're wondering, it goes as follows

Day One 

Arrive to London airport (time to be confirmed)

Depart airport for Stonehenge (driving time 2 hours)

A World Heritage Site, Stonehenge has stood for around 4500 years, probably a place of worship and/or sacrifice, with no one truly knowing the answer as to why it was built and why in this spot.

Spend 1.5 hours then depart for:

Thomas Hardy Cottage (driving time 1hr 15)

Few authors have such strong associations with the natural and cultural heritage of their local area as Thomas Hardy. This cottage, where Hardy was borne in 1840, was built of cob and thatch by his grandfather and has been little altered since the family left.

Spend 1.5 hours then depart for;

West Bay, Bridport

The picturesque town of West Bay better known to viewers as ‘Broadchurch’ in the hit TV show

Overnight stay in Bridport/West Bay.

Day Two

After breakfast we depart Devon into Cornwall

Heading over Dartmoor National Park and stopping for coffee at the infamous Jamaica Inn. Built in 1750 as a coaching inn for long horse drawn journeys from London and Bristol into Cornwall, the pub inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s book of the same title after she and a friend became lost in fog while out riding, the horses leading them to the inn and safety. Said to be one of the most haunted buildings in England.

Onto Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway

11.15am board a restored steam train for a 15 minute journey through the English countryside, disembark and meet your driver at Boscarne Junction. Highly recommend pre-ordering your first (but not last) Cornish pasty to sustain you through the journey. Like champagne, the Cornish pasty is recognised as unique to the area and pasties made anywhere else but in Cornwall cannot carry the Cornish title.

As time dictates and at your leisure we explore the beautiful fishing villages of Looe, Polperro, Fowey (a must) before booking into your hotel in and around the town of St Austell

Day Three

After breakfast we visit the Eden Project

In the afternoon we will down to the hidden but beautiful fishing village of Cadgewick where you can take a pub lunch or buy fresh seafood, caught that morning, from the little shop. Onto the Lizard Point which sees you stand at the most Southerly point in the UK.

A quick look at Portleven before check in to your hotel near Redruth for 3 nights

Day Four

Depart for the Minack theatre

The idea for the theatre was born when Rowena Cade, who lived in Minack House at the top of the cliff, decided to create a place for local drama enthusiasts to perform Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Over the winter of 1931 and into 1932 Rowena and her gardener, Billy Rawlings, moved endless granite boulders and earth, creating the stage and the lower terraces of the theatre, in the same place as you see them today. The first performance was in August 1932.

PLEASE NOTE: this has to be a morning visit as they have a Matinee Production.

Stop off at the lovely coastal village of Mousehole en route to:

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion. A stunning castle set on its own island which has been in the same family, Lord and Lady Aubyrn since the 17th century. A working island that employs 30 people and their families

You can walk over via the cobbled causeway at low tide and either walk back before high tide or, if more time is needed, then the boat back to the mainland.
Day Five

Starting at Lands End, famously the most South West Point of the UK, it is a must to have a photograph taken alongside the signpost that reads NEW YORK….SYDNEY….etc. We then head up the northern coastal path, passing through Sennen Cove, Levant Mine towards St Ives, home of surfers and the Tate Modern Gallery. Finishing at St Agnes before heading back to the hotel.

Day Six

Check out of the hotel and, after breakfast head to the north of Cornwall taking in Padstow, a lively fishing harbour that boasts three restaurants of the acclaimed chef Rick Stein, Fish and Chips are a must here. Along the coast to Tintagel Castle home of the fabled King Arthur, the first King of England before we spend the afternoon, after about an hour drive, at the unique village of Clovelly.

Drive to the Historic city of Bath and stay overnight.

Day Seven

Visit the historic city of Bath before departing for the airport check in

1hr 45 minute drive to Heathrow or 2hr 15 minute drive to Gatwick

For this tour, and more like it, visit www.chirtongrange.co.uk or email us contact@chirtongrange.co.uk
 

Thursday 16 February 2017

A Little Story

A gentleman of 81 years approached us recently and asked us to build a tour programme for his next visit to the UK. The problem was that while we had worked with him last year we where booked through a concierge company. Even though we now, for others reasons, there was a conflict of interest and we had to politely refuse the enquiry.

The customer said, "I've been coming to the UK, mainly London, for more than 60 years and requested, if not begged, them to show me something new, different and exciting.......so they booked me the Tower of London, Changing the Guard and the London bloody Eye".

We really couldn't/wouldn't be able to help this guy but can help many others.

Chauffeuring is our core business but we have developed or own unique brand of tours. Combining our knowledge with the very best Blue Badge Guides we, your clients, implore you to find Find The Gap, Go off Piste and THINK DIFFERENTLY!!!