09/05/25 - Pub Archaeology, Holdens and Geocaching in Trysull

Black Magic in the Black Country

I appreciate from the title of this blog that all my worlds have collided. 

I was in Trysull for a Geocaching round. You'll probably not be interested in Tupperware in bushes, but the walking in this are is very pleasant. Especially when you consider that its on the fringes of the Black Country and not far from Wolverhampton.

This is the Black Country

The village itself is ancient, mentioned in the Domesday book as "Treslei". Disappointinly, 66% of the pubs have closed down - leaving one remaining. A chance for a little pub archaeology. 

The Hollybush was found - now apartments, with little of interest. This is something that the Plough could not be accused off. An ancient postcard showing that structurally, the pub is easily identifiable. 

315

Nice bit of pub archeology at the former Plough, Trysull. Found on a 6m Geocaching trail

Spooky tales at the blog..... Which isn't mine 😄https://t.co/hJNHpSp1Mt pic.twitter.com/pCEuWOiYxc

— Mappiman (@Mappiman1) May 9, 2025

The only thing I can see that has changed in the c100 years is the placement of the sign labelled quarters. Now moved closer to the roof.

Unsure what this represents, but the other sign is to with a Cycling Club

My tweet references a blog-post detailing a rather disturbing past. A painting of the devil, links to children being involved in Black Magic rituals and tunnels to an unnamed "Green Man" gravestone. I can only assume this is in the church next to my open pub destination, The Bell. Have a read.

It would appear that it has been private accommodation since 2020, following a Marstons sell-off. A downstairs window was open and if someone had been there, I would have been tempted to ask if they knew the history. If the answer was no, they may not have slept well again, so probably for the best it was all quiet.

The Bell is a fine (finest) Holdens pub. Solid looking and "Pure Black Country" proudly displayed on the frontage. Too nice a day to sit inside, so a picnic table. Only slightly disturbing to see the old boys at the next table tucking into a roast dinner. In 24°C sunshine! On a Friday!

Pure Black Country....

.... Special

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 27

06/05/25 - Little Dartmouth and the Cherub Inn

Beams made from Ship's Timbers

A delightful final full day in the South Hams, visiting Dartmouth.

The walk is a beauty. They've all been beauties. Starting at the National Trust car park at Little Dartmouth, it's coastal walking to the where the Dart joins the sea. Mrs M proclaimed that the only way that this walk could be better would be if there was a cafe.

There is a cafe. Yet I cannot get quite as excited. My Bakewell slice was tiny, cost £3.80 and was devoured in two chomps. Mrs M told me to chomp on, as she was sick of my moaning.

Back to walking along Black Country Canals next week

Dartmouth Castle - home of the £3.80 thin slice

As is the norm for this part of the world, a lovely inland green lane takes us back to the start.

Where we use the car to reposition to the town centre. Lovely views, medieval architecture, bustling shops and a mood buoyed by free parking for two hours.

Kingswear from a parking space

Naturally enough, we make our way to the only Good Beer Guide Pub in Town. Yes, it may have the old trope about "Beams made from Ship's timbers" but it would appear to be true. This C14th merchant's house was nearly knocked down in the 1950s, where it was saved through renovation. That used reclaimed ship's timbers.

Ziggy, waiting to enter Dartmouth's oldest building

The nearby Seven Stars has the claim to be the oldest pub in town. But this is the oldest building, becoming a pub in the 1970s. A single-roomer downstairs, it's all I look for in a pub. Low ceilings, real fireplace, intimate surroundings and 50p off a pint for CAMRA members. 

Zoom in for this week's bargains - I might have to rejoin

It felt like a privilege to be able to enjoy a pint here. A lovely and fitting South Hams Devon Pride.

Walk Details

Distance - 4 Miles

Walk Inspiration - 40 Walks in Devon

Geocaches - 10

05/05/25 - Return to the Pig's Nose, East Prawle

"You Must have the Eddystone"

These were the words said to me by a local during my last visit. 5 years ago, during a thawing of COVID Rules, where check-ins were required but you were allowed inside.

Bank Holiday Monday and you know it's going to be a fine day when you get the very last parking space around the village green. God's reward for our endeavours in driving there. If you arrive with ring mirror intact AND your suspension in one piece, well done. It's hard to know what to look out for - berks in mercs, chelsea tractors or the potholes.

Successfully parked up at the most southern part of Devon, we headed down green lanes to Horseley Cove. Ziggy, our dog for the week, joined the one brave human for a wild swim. Ziggy stayed in the water much longer.

A dramatic section of the South West Coast Path (SWCP), past the Coastal Watchtower at Prawle Point and a desperate bikini clad instagrammer, far below at Elender Cove. Her pretence that she was on an exotic beach soon to be ruined by a family descending with buckets and spades and cricket sets.

Coastal Look at Prawle Point - Natural Arch below

Mrs M about to mock the instagrammer at the sandy cove below

Looking behind as we  head to the pub

First lunch, and in an effort to spread the love around the local economy, crab sandwiches at the cafe. £12. Each. But we both agreed they were the best crab sandwiches we've ever had.

I think if you asked AI to generate images of 500-year old smugglers pubs, it would come up with a facsimile of the Pigs Nose. Austere, solid and inside, filled with trinkets, niknacks and things hanging from the ceiling.

The portal entrance

Ziggy, in front of a beefeater pig

Bugles and carpet beating tools from the ceiling

I looked for the cask - and its gravity fed from wooden barrels behind the bar. Otter or Eddystone. The Eddystone was superb.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - 40 Walks in Devon

Geocaches - 2

04/05/25 - Torcross and Slapton Sands

Operation Tiger

The history associated on this walk hits us as soon as we park the car. Next to a Sherman Tank.

Photo capture required for a Geocache

The beach at Slapton has a close resemblance to Normandy as was used as a dress rehearsal.

Exercise Tiger was a secret D-Day rehearsal conducted by American forces at Slapton Sands, Devon, in April 1944. Chosen for its resemblance to Utah Beach, the area was cleared of civilians for realistic training, including live ammunition. On April 28, German E-boats attacked a convoy of landing ships in Lyme Bay, sinking two and damaging another, resulting in the deaths of 749 U.S. servicemen—more than were lost in the actual Utah Beach landings. Many drowned due to poor life vest training or died in explosions, and communication failures worsened the disaster. The event was kept secret to protect D-Day plans and morale, only becoming widely known decades later. A recovered Sherman tank now stands at Torcross as a memorial.

The landscape is quite unusual too. A thin strip of land separating the SWCP from the largest freshwater lake in South Devon. Best viewed from above, either high farmland of Stokenham or from the SWCP as you approach at Torcross.

A Glimpse

The full picture

A fine walk, even with the lack of photographs. You don't need to see that many of various bodies of water.

Post walk refreshment - we are booked for Sunday Lunch at the unusually named Bear and Blacksmith at nearby Chillington. Saving my pint for then, I had to forlornly walk past the Start Bay Inn.... austere brickwork but a pretty thatched roof.

Pre midday - unsure if these are punters or people just using the facilities

Hard to review the Bear.... our hosts had recommended it and there is no doubt the Sunday Lunch was excellent. For £22 it needed to be. But an hour to wait for food is a bit too long, isn't it? 

Especially when breakfast was 7 miles ago.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Devon, Walk 22 

Geocaches - 3