We visited The Black Dog last Saturday 12/ 04/ 14. I'd sought the pub out again because of it's Royal Naval connections and the fact that it was time to revisit as the last time I'd stepped inside was 45 years ago whilst serving in the Royal Navy and on 'Work Up' in the channel.
The place is genuinely atmospheric and this isn't a' themed pub' concocted to look like something with history, this is the real deal ! Dates from the 1500's no less.This is a building that has fortunately retained it's original features with a wealth of character and hundreds and hundreds of years history. You can feel it as soon as you enter the building a great welcoming vibe awaits.
I have it on good authority that it is haunted and that was confirmed when we visited at the weekend. This place is a little gem for all ghost hunters out there especially just inside the door on the left I was informed that the daughter of the pub's landlord in the nineteenth century is still busying herself at the tables.
The Black Dog Bitter was our chosen beer of the evening and it didn't disappoint it had everything you'd look for in a good bitter. The bar staff were helpful and good humoured and their banter didn't wane even though the pub was heaving and they were kept very busy all evening.
The landlord made us feel very welcome and spent some of his available time, as it was very busy, to chat about the Royal Naval photographs gracing the walls and the Royal Navy 'cap tallies' presented in a large picture frame. Great to see that this connection has been kept current by the landlord and landlady at the Black Dog.
The pub was fortunate to have Jonny Mack a Rod Stewart Tribute singer perform during the evening and he was very good. Now my other half is a Rod Stewart fan and has her favourite numbers, she asked to sing 'In A Broken Dream' not a well known number of his and arguably quite technically difficult, but Jonny Mack did an amazing version of it and truly shone with his genuine singing ability. Rod Stewart is one of the hardest acts to follow, Mr Mack succeeded in the task magnificently.
All in all a great night out in a gem of a pub with genuine history what more could you want we can't wait to come back on holiday to pay another visit.
Steve and Anne Stokes read more