Old Cock
There’s no cock like an Old Cock, and we’d guess the carved “1755” set into the facade of this Independent Free House in Otley, Suffolk qualifies it as “old” in anyone’s books. They may have even served cock ale with real cock here, back when the place was the new cock on the block. Flickr member Tim Green captured the Old Cock in February of 2012, almost 3 years before he stumbled onto the previously mentioned Cock & Crown. Gotta give it up for Tim; dude really does get around.
The Cock Inn
Americans moved to snicker at The Cock Inn need to be reminded of the much more cringe-worthy Big Dick’s Halfway Inn, a “legendary” bar located on the Lake of the Ozarks in Gravois, Missouri… what, you thought we made that up? The Cock Inn is quite real as well, being located in Woodseaves, a tiny hamlet in Sutton-upon-Tern parish, Shropshire.
What’s borderline unbelievable, however, is the School Crossing sign installed at the pub’s side stairway… won’t somebody think of the drunken children? Flickr member harrypope snapped the surreal scene in November of 2010.
Ye Olde Fighting Cocks
Feeling a tad peckish and can’t decide whether to hit Ye Olde Cock or The Fighting Cocks? Well, just go to both – without ever leaving your bar stool! Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire claims to be one of the oldest pubs in the country.
A framed plaque on the outside wall states the tavern “accommodated Oliver Cromwell for one night during the civil war,” and that would be the English Civil War (1642-1651), not the er, War of Northern Aggression. Flickr member Matt Brown stopped by for a quick photo shoot (and presumably, a quick pint or two) in May of 2010.
Golden Cock
Flickr member Tim Green is officially our Cock of the Walk: he can talk the talk, walk the walk, and snap a Cock pub sign quicker than the time it takes to order “two pints of lager and a packet of crisps, please.” When attempting the latter, mind you, be sure to do so at the Golden Cock in Farnley Tyas, Almondbury, West Yorkshire. Presumably things there have cooled down somewhat as it’s been roughly 10 years since the pub experienced a “nasty robbery”. Guess someone didn’t want to pay for their lager and crisps.
The Cock
How can a Cock pub stand out – so to speak – from countless others of its ilk? The solution for one such establishment in London’s West End is, basically, don’t even waste time trying. Thus we have “The Cock”, a tavern on Great Portland Street in Fitzrovia that’s been “making people smile for over a century.” Flickr member jpellgen (@1179_jp) visited the ballsy bar in the summer of 2011, commenting “I just couldn’t help myself… had to get a shot of it despite all the people staring.” What a silly bunt.
