WORLDS END PUB CRAWL

Looking for an excuse to go on a pub crawl? I have just the excuse to trace the footsteps of ultimate pub crawl from the movie The World’s End A short synopsis: Gary King is a forty year old alcoholic, who still the immaturity of his teenage years, whereas his four childhood friends, Peter, Oliver, Steven, and Andy, have all matured and each of their relationships toward Gary are presently estranged. One day, Gary, in an attempt to recapture the days of his youth, tracks down his friends to complete the "Golden Mile", a pub crawl encompassing the 12 pubs of their hometown of Newton Haven, the last of them being the World's End.

The film was shot in mostly working pubs of Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth Garden City. Why they chose these location seems funny as both locations were based on the ideas of Ebenezer Howard who was against the drinking of alcohol as it was the skirge of the working man. Until 1958, Letchworth was a dry town, with the only inn, The Skittles, selling soft drinks. I can't understand why they didn't use The Skittles as one of the pubs locations.

Follow the trail of real pubs and the fake ones from the movie below. For reasons best known it start in Welwyn Garden City.

Location 1 The First Post: was filmed on location at The Peartree, Hollybush Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4JJ A Green King Pub , which was established in 1938 to serve as the community pub for the workers of the Peartree Estate.

Location 2 The Old Familiar: was filmed on location at The Doctors Tonic, Church Rd, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6PR which was in the town centre.

Location 3 The Famous Cock: was filmed on location at The Cork, 9 Howardsgate, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AW Formerly the Cork the pub changed name after a change in management in October 2013 along with a makeover.

Location 4 The Cross Hands: was filmed on location of The Parkway Bar, 22 Parkway, Welwyn Garden City looks like its an Ex pub all closed up Sept 2019

Then we take a trip to Letchworth Garden city

Location 5 The Good Companions: we may have a small problem here at this location, as it never was a pub but a dress shop....71 Leys Avenue, Letchworth Garden City so get a tinnie and have a drink outside. Or travel to London 26 Wenlock Road, Wenlock Arms, Islington, London N1 for the inside location.

Location 6 The Trusty Servant: film on location at The Three Magnets, Leys Avenue, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3EW Although the exterior of number six, ‘The Trusty Servant’, is a real pub – The Three Magnets, 18-20 Leys Avenue, the bar interior is that of the Director’s Arms, at the junction of Ripon Way and Cranes Way, in Borehamwood. itself is familiar from plenty of screen appearances as this is the location of Elstree Studios and the old Borehamwood Studios.

Location 7 The Two-Headed Dog: at the time of filming it was the Colonnade Public House now renamed The Platform Station Road a real pub. For many years it was the Eastern Electricity Showroom.

Location 8 The Mermaid: the location that was used was the Broadway Cinema, Letchworth Garden City so no beer

Location 9 The Beehive: the location used was the Thai Garden restaurant, the old Black Squirrel pub but now the location has been converted into flats 10 Gernon Road, Letchworth Garden City so no beer again.

Location 10 The King’s Head: the location used was The Arena Tavern, Arena Parade, Letchworth Garden City well used by the people of Letchworth. Lots of beer. This pub reminds me of those small Irish pubs.

Location 11 The Hole In The Wall: another tinnie as the location used was Letchworth Garden City Railway Station, Station Road. A false wall was built across the station entrance and, if you’ve seen the film, you’ll understand why the pub interior was built at Elstree Studios. No Beer.

Location 12 THE WORLD END: The survivors have made it to their ultimate destination, ‘The World’s End’, which was The Gardener’s Arms at the time of filming. Now renamed The Wilbury back to its original name. The location is Wilbury Hills Road, Letchworth. SG6 4LG where it intersects with Icknield Way. A real place to get a drink.

If you’ve made it this far, to the final pub on the list this is The World’s End you thoroughly deserve a celebratory pint. Although, don’t expect drunken escapades or a similar explosive finale shown in the film, many people come to this art deco pub for its morning breakfast or carvery and of course the beer.

A little fact for you. Ebenezer Howard is buried in the cemetery just over the road.

The film The Worlds End was released 10th July 2013 Leicester Square London and we had our own viewing the first outside London to play the film, with a special introduction by Simon Pegg thanking the residents of Letchworth for their help during its making. The film went on general release 19th July 2013