Drink the beer, admire the pubs: capital idea!

February 21, 2006: CAMRA has launched a new pocket-size guide entitled London Pub Walks, with architectural notes on many of the capital's finest pub buildings.

The launch has been timed to coincide with the CAMRA-initiated National Pubs Week and sets out to celebrate Britain's unique pub culture.

“Each pub warrants entry on its high quality real ale, but coupled with its location and superb architectural heritage, the book proves an informative guide," said Steve Williams, the campaign's London regional director. "It uncovers some hidden gems right across the region - it is suitable for both Londoners and visitors to the capital.”

CAMRA’s London Pub Walks includes 30 walks around more than 180 pubs serving fine real ale, from the heart of the City and the bustling West End to majestic riverside routes and the leafy Wimbledon Common. Trails of varying lengths suit everyone from the causal pubgoer to active walkers, and there are routes to suit pub building enthusiasts, shoppers, theatregoers, literary lovers as well as those seeking good beer.

Author Bob Steel, a geographer and teacher, said: “CAMRA’s London Pub Walks aims to showcase great ale and great pubs, enabling you to undertake real ale trails in the capital whilst visiting some of the best pub architecture left in London.

"Plenty of books have been published about London pubs, often claiming to be of historic pubs, although many of these have little authenticity left. Few London pub guides take you from one pub to the next, but I have purposely avoided the term pub crawl for a reason; good beer and good buildings are part of our heritage and not to be rushed.”

Apart from a lifelong interest in good beer and good architecture, Bob is a keen walker, cyclist and organic gardener. He has written many magazine and newspaper articles. This is his first major publication.

l CAMRA’s London Pub Walks (ISBN 1852492163) is priced £8.99 and available to buy from books shops or direct from CAMRA (go to www.camra.org.uk or call 01727 867201).