Well that came around quickly! Christmas is with us once again. On behalf of South Herts CAMRA, may I take this opportunity to thank you for being part of the Campaign during 2024 and contributing to our vision of great beer and thriving pubs in every community.
May I also take this opportunity to remind you that we have a few social gatherings planned for what is left of December and into January. The details are all here in this email and we’d love to see you at any of these gatherings if you are available.
New faces are always very welcome so, even if you’ve not come along to one of our socials before, please don’t be shy! And if you’d like to clarify any details, please do drop me an email by replying to this.

Friday 27th December:
The annual Sopwell Sweep
2pm at The Beehive, Keyfield Terrace, St Albans
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/8UwInbkzr
Showcasing a corner of St Albans famed for its excellent pubs, the Sopwell Sweep is an annual favourite and always attracts a good, festive crowd.
We’ll be meeting up at the Beehive at 2pm before embarking on a trail of a number of top tier real ale establishments – including the White Hart Tap (approx 2.45pm); Garibaldi (3.30pm); White Lion (4.15pm); Goat (5pm); and Hare & Hounds (5.45pm).

Tuesday 31st December:
NYE Family-Friendly Pub Walk
5.30pm at The Mermaid, Hatfield Road, St Albans
Facebook link: https://fb.me/e/4ppXTwMgT
Looking to get out and socialise on New Year’s Eve but without the city centre hustle and bustle? We’ll be keeping things sensible with an early evening wander around some fine real ale pubs.
Starting at 5.30pm, we’ll be calling at four great St Albans venues – all with a tempting selection of ales, ciders and other offerings – before heading to the Royston Club for its family-friendly NYE event featuring live music from The Push.
While at the Royston Club, South Herts CAMRA be making a special presentation to its secretary Barrie Lloyd on behalf of Club Mirror magazine – recognising the work he has done over the past few years to transform it from a club in decline, into a thriving community local with a coveted place in the Good Beer Guide.
Approximate timings: 5.30pm: Mermaid, Hatfield Road; 6.15pm: Farmers Boy, London Road; 7pm: Great Northern, London Road; 7.45pm: Robin Hood, Victoria Street; 8.45pm: Royston Club*, College Road.
* Please note there may be a small admission charge for non-members at the Royston Club.

Saturday 11th January: South London January Jaunt
3pm at the Brick Brewery Taproom (near Peckham Rye station)
Facebook link:Â https://fb.me/e/5Zq5QSuEZ
Never mind Dry January! Instead, join us as we travel to South London and explore a diverse and fascinating range of pubs and bars in the Peckham and Nunhead area.
Our route takes in two brewery tap rooms, three pubs on the CAMRA heritage list for their historic interiors, three that are on Time Out magazine’s list of the 50 best pubs in London, several Good Beer Guide entrants – and even an arcade with a beer menu!
We’ll be meeting at our first venue at 3pm – so for travelling from the Branch, we recommend one of the following train services to Peckham Rye:
- 1357 from St Albans City
- 1314 from Hertford North
- 1335 from Hatfield
- 1344 from Potters Bar
OUR ITINERARY:
- 1500 – Brick Brewery Tap Room https://camra.org.uk/pubs/159559
- 1545 – EKO Brewery Tap Room https://camra.org.uk/pubs/197716
- 1615 – Four Quarters https://camra.org.uk/pubs/159515
- 1700 – White Horse https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158586
- [approx 20 min walk]
- 1800 – Herne Tavern https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158686
- [approx 15 min walk]
- 1900 – Ivy House https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158577
- 1945 – Waverley Arms https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158578
- 2030 – Skehans Freehouse https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158561
- 2100 – For those who wish to stay on, a choice of:
- Old Nuns Head https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158582
- OR Man of Kent https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158580
- OR Pyrotechnists Arms https://camra.org.uk/pubs/158581
- Travel back to Herts from Nunhead Station