The Nutshell – Bury St Edmonds, Suffolk

This pub is famous simply because it is the smallest pub in England. If this doesn’t spark your curiosity, then perhaps the dimensions will: The Nutshell is only 15 feet wide by 7 feet deep. Interestingly, it has been the same way since it was built in 1867. This pub has made the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest pub; even though it is said to feel crowded with only 10 people, 102 have once fit inside! After a long day of exploring and driving, pull your car over and enjoy the bizarre atmosphere of this famous bar.

Photo of Nutshell – smallest pub in England by Karen Roe

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks – St Albans, Hertfordshire

It’s likely you and your car are starting your journey in London. After navigating your way out of Heathrow airport, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is a relatively close drive. Just North of London, this pub is the oldest in England. While some records state that this pub opened in 1129, there are some records of monks selling alcohol in this building as far back as the 700s! The interesting octagonal shape of the building (supposedly for cock fighting), the very low ceilings and the attached cellar will make you feel like you’re eating and drinking back in time.

Photo of Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, UK by Legis

The Old Silent Inn – Stanbury, West Yorkshire

There’s no bizarre or quirky reason to make a special visit to this pub. Simply, it is a great stop because of its fantastic location in the midst of the Bronte region of the UK. While sipping a local brew, you will look out onto the moors, the sheep and the ruins. To add to the picturesque scenery, The Old Silent Inn is famous for its friendly service, and good food and drink. If you’re planning on heading to the North part of the country during your road trip through England, this pub is a must-see after a long day in your car. In addition to the stops you’ve already planned for your road trip through England, traveling by car will also allow you to easily get to all these famous pubs. After a great day of driving, traveling by car will let you visit some very memorable pubs. You can eat and drink like a monk, a Victorian and a Bronte all on one road trip!

Susan enjoys traveling by car around the country and blogging about it, she also enjoys not driving a new car, but only buys and drives used cars, she picks up at car acutions or rental agency used car sales.

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Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a Mediterranean nation, which for centuries was influenced by Roman, Arab and British culture. We can find a large minority of foreigners, most of which are represented by the British. Most inhabitants live on Malta‘s main island in the cities. Almost all the people belong to the Roman Catholic Church. On the island there are over 360 churches and at every step you can meet monks or nuns. Catholicism plays an important part of Maltese life.

The most important source of income in Malta is tourism, which also employs a third of the population. Malta and nearby islands to visit for over a million tourists a year. Tourism is therefore 35% of the gross domestic product. Malta has no own sources of raw materials, and is dependent on imports. Agriculture is concentrated on the island of Gozo, where we find more greenery and better conditions for growing wheat, barley, potatoes, legumes, vegetables, citrus fruit and grapes. In the summer season, vegetables need to be imported, because there is a very dry climate. Industrial production is focused on engineering products, electronics, shipbuilding and ship repair and textiles.

Malta is known for its numerous and well-preserved monuments from the times of megalithic culture. This leads to the assertion that this developed culture lived on the island already between 4000 to 2500 BC. Then the island had many different cultures: the Phoenicians, Carthage, Rome, Byzantium, Arabs, Normans, kings of Castile, Johannes and Napoleon. During the world wars, Malta became an important base for the British forces in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, became a republic in 1974 and in 2004 became a member of the European Union.

The Maltese archipelago acts on the map as the small grains in the Mediterranean Sea, and yet form an important bridge between Europe and Africa. The Maltese archipelago is essentially a remnant of the connection between Sicily and North Africa coast, which was aborted in the late Tertiary. Malta is only 90 km away from Sicily and 200 km from Tunisia.

The islands are almost without vegetation, but Malta is interesting anyway. Indeed, the mythical Odysseus reportedly stuck here for seven long years. It is a paradise for divers and water sports enthusiasts, history and art lovers and you can enjoy here good food, drink and social life as well.

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