The Lucombe Oak

The pub itself sits on a square of shops, all of which are closed on a Sunday afternoon. First impressions: it's an 'estate pub', intended to satisfy the drinking needs of locals, rather than as a destination venue for tourists. The interior was wide and spacious, yet the low ceiling of exposed support ribs gave it an enclosed and slightly claustrophobic feel. The regular clientele were as you'd expect, men with shaved heads and tattooed arms ordering lagers, though the presence of a classic rock tribute band (Sea Dogz) had brought in a number of outsiders: middle class friends of the band, aging rockers from the circuit, yours truly sitting in both camps. The band were excellent, and their music went down with the crowd so well they've been asked to come back and do a Saturday night.