Cottingham is, it is often said, the largest village in England. The coming of the railway in the last century helped turn it into one of the more genteel suburbs of Hull, located some five miles north-west of the city. During term time, it is also home to many University of Hull students.

If you visit today, you get the feeling that some of the gentility has faded a little. The number of "To Let" signs in the shopping area - and the number of charity shops - suggest either that the local economy is doing less well than in the past: or that local money now drives to out-of-town supermarkets to the detriment of local retailers.

Interestingly enough - from the point of view of this guide at least - the main signs of new investment in Cottingham are pub-related. The well-concealed and highly deceptive Hallgate Tavern, the newly-renovated Black Prince and Cross Keys, and the much more immediately imposing Fair Maid suggest that the area still has spending power. When added to the more traditional pubs exemplified by the Duke of Cumberland and the Tiger, Cottingham looks a better proposition than ever for a pub crawl: and all only a short rail trip from the centre of Hull.