14/08/18 - The Cat at Enville - 2018 Dudley Pub of the Year

Distance - 4 Miles
Geocaches - 3
Walk Inspiration - Best Pub Walks in South Staffs - Walk 9


This is a perfect little combination - a superb countryside walk that requires a bit more effort than it's four miles would suggest, finishing at Dudley and South Staffordshire CAMRA pub of the year.

The Walk

Parking available from the memorial or pub car park.   Head south on the Staffordshire way into the grounds of Enville Hall - a private residence that can trace its history for 700 years through the Earls of Stamford who still own it today.  Easy walking as we pass cricket pitches, horse pastures and the hall itself.

The Driveway at the Start of the Walk

Enville Hall

The walking highlight is undoubtedly the Sheep Walks.  Just past Temple Pool, where a minor road is met, turn right onto some undulating countryside that rewards the pull up with superb views over the Midlands.   Waymarking is provided by frequent fingerposts providing directions.

Easy Navigation over the Sheep Walks

The reward for the climb

Heading north now, drop off the hillside and reach Morfe Road at Cox Green.  Lane walking for a mile until the Staffordshire way is picked back up on the right and head to the Church and importantly, the pub.

St Mary's Church - Modeled on Gloucester Cathedral

The Pub

Surprisingly, I haven't been to this prize winning pub before.   It's a gem.

To start with, its what you'd call a proper pub.  The history of the building can be traced to the C16th and life as a pub goes back to 1718.

The first challenge is finding the way in.  The walk goes past the front of the pub where there is a door but not one that opens.  Entrance is through the gate to the side, providing an indication of how the pub is made of multiple buildings.

7 Real Ales, New Chef Required and slow down

These buildings provide plenty of opportunity for exploration.   Entrance leads straight to a central bar and through doorframes designed when people were much shorter, access is provided to dining rooms, a second bar and even a third.   The handful of locals in appear to like standing at anyone of the bar areas and involving the bar staff in conversations ranging from lowest calorie booze and what all the police were doing in Kinver on Saturday night.   Internet research suggested Gin but drew a blank on Kinver crime.

Myriad Rooms and proper pub furniture

Finally, why the CAMRA reward?  Eagle eyed viewers from the first pub picture will notice that 7 real ales are on offer.   We'll work on the presumption that they have the volume of drinkers to make this work.  All are handily displayed on entry.  If you want to do what Mrs M does when we go for a meal, you can download the latest offerings from their website and kill any surprise stone dead.

Today's Menu - Mainly Golds and Pales

I ordered the Enville Ale.  Not because it was the first thing on the menu but because I know there are close ties with this brewery, hosted a couple of miles away.

When in Enville

Inspired choice - the pint matched the walk.  Superb.