Luton is no stranger to harsh headlines. But away from a long line of column inches painting the town in an unflattering light, one seasoned pub-goer has found something very different: a town centre brimming with character, community spirit and some truly exceptional pubs.
While, yesterday, the town was branded the “worst commuter town in the UK” by a national newspaper, a YouTube channel that has clocked up more than 7,000 pub visits across the country, made its first stop in Luton – and they came away full of praise.
“People always give Luton a really bad name,” said The Great British Pub Crawl on their Facebook page, adding: “But you know what… it has some absolutely BRILLIANT pubs.”
Among the highlights for the presenting duo Dale Harvey and Holly Booth – who are on a mission to visit every pub in the UK – was the Bricklayers Arms in Hightown. With six cask ales including Bass, a traditional interior, friendly staff and a pub dog to boot, it was hailed as “a top pub in any town or city across the country”.
The Castle, Luton’s alternative live music venue, won admiration for its “great vibe” and outdoor space, while the Great Northern was described as a “brilliant, traditional little pub” with an excellent landlord.
Even the smaller details stood out. At The Gardeners Call, it was a sweet-natured pub dog called Darla who charmed visitors. At The Painters Arms, it was the grand wooden features and Irish atmosphere. And at The Red Lion, it was the mix of pub classics with an Indian food menu that set it apart.
For a town so often overshadowed by its critics, the review is refreshing. Far from being a place to avoid, the pub crawl team found a community where landlords know their locals, where live music thrives, and where a pint can come with history, humour or even a four-legged welcome.
And this is only half the story. With more than a dozen pubs still left to visit, the team has already promised a return trip. If their first crawl is anything to go by, it seems Luton’s pubs might just be one of the Town’s best-kept secrets.
