Comedians Pedal to Britain’s Most Isolated Pub

A Journey Through British Pubs on a Tandem Bike

Ben and Tom embarked on an extraordinary 1,000-mile cycling adventure from Land’s End to John O’Groats, using a tandem bike to raise awareness about the challenges facing British pubs. Their journey, known as the ‘Great British Pub Ride,’ saw them stop at nearly 100 pubs along the way, eating, drinking, and sleeping in these beloved establishments. The pair, who go by the name ‘The Thinking Drinkers,’ completed their challenge on July 3, having started on June 20.

The idea for the ride came after they learned that around six pubs close every week in the UK, according to the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA). For Tom, the experience was more than just a physical challenge — it was a heartfelt tribute to the community spirit found in pubs. “We’ve always loved pubs, but the overwhelming warmth, generosity, and goodwill we received on this journey has blown us away,” he said. “It’s been an incredible experience, and we’ve met so many wonderful people on both sides of the bar.”

Over the course of two weeks, Ben and Tom cycled more than 1,000 miles, visiting at least four pubs each day. Their journey was filled with unexpected and memorable moments. They bumped into “The Stig” at his local, enjoyed their first ever “Wigan Kebab,” stumbled into a thrash metal music festival in the highest pub in Scotland, and even had some cake at the remotest pub in mainland Britain.

The pair rode on a tandem bike they borrowed from a man they met in a pub, despite having hardly ridden it before. Ben described the experience as “brutal,” but he stressed that it paled in comparison to the real struggles faced by pub owners across the country. “People think pubs are just a place for a pint, but from Cornwall to the Cairngorms, we’ve seen that they are so much more than that,” he said. “One in three visits to a pub doesn’t involve an alcoholic drink.”

At a time when loneliness and mental health issues are on the rise, Ben and Tom highlighted how pubs serve as vital social hubs. “They are proven antidotes to isolation where people can forge genuine social networks — not online ones,” he added.

During their trip, the pair encountered publicans who offered yoga classes, warm spaces for the elderly, barbershops, and package delivery services, among other community initiatives. Some of their favourite pubs included the Salutation Inn in Ham, Berkeley, which Tom called a “wonderful wet led pub with great drinks and a lovely guy running it.”

Another highlight was the Crask Inn in Lairg, the most remote pub in Britain. Tom noted that the pair took part in “prayers and pints at the idyllic Church-owned inn in the Highlands.” Ben also praised the Barkley Tavern in Springfield, Wigan, where the owner, Debbie, and her family brought life back to a derelict pub and provided significant support to the local community.

He also appreciated the Old Success Inn in Penzance, a Cornish pub overlooking Sennen Cove, where their adventure began with morning yoga on the terrace. The Kings Arms in South Zeal was another standout, with its welcoming locals and classic traditional atmosphere.

Through their journey, Ben and Tom gained a deeper understanding of the daily challenges faced by pub owners. These include rising energy bills, high business rates, impractical environmental levies, and taxation levels that far exceed those in other European countries.

Tom emphasized the need for change, stating, “The costs for pubs to simply do business are far too high. Based on turnover and profit, no other business sector in the economy is taxed so heavily and unjustly.” He urged people to contact their local MPs and advocate for the survival of these essential community spaces. “With even really busy pubs currently struggling to survive, we’re asking people to get in touch with their local MPs and ask them to make the lives of ‘locals’ a bit easier and acknowledge how incredibly important they are.”