19/02/20 - Bathams Pub Walk - Bird in Hand, Old Swinford

Distance - 4.5 Miles
Full list of Bathams Pub Walks

Four weeks ago, I sent out a celebratory tweet.   Pride certainly comes before a fall.

...oh no it isn't.... https://t.co/3gKA5rQcjI

— The Bathams (@thebathams) January 23, 2020

Just when you think your work is complete, there is a new Bathams pub.

Not really much of an issue.

The Bird in Hand is very close to Stourbridge Junction railway station and the greenery on offer South of the town.   Having already walked Wychbury Hill from the King Arthur, I'll head in the opposite direction, where the blue flag on the OS Map shows golf courses.   After the pub visit, my route extends into the town, where a few undiscovered Good Beer Guide Ticks await.   From there, a single carriage shuttle train whisks you back to main Station.

Upper Swinford has to be close to Old Swinford's Pubs?

A walk down Worcester Lane and a cut through what must be Stourbridges poshest housing estate.  The properties are impressive in size and that's just the gates that protect them from the hoi polloi working up a thirst.  The kids are either that incredibly well brought up or lacking in imagination.

How the young Mappiman would have howled at the application of a small amount of Tippex

The Golf Course provides the required amount of greenery to class this as a proper ramble and then past playing fields and the TA Centre to the pub.

Decent Ramble

Look on Google Maps and the Bird in Hand looks a tired old Banks Pub.   At the end of 2019, its been brought back to life - complete with a new sign and the little Bathams hallmarks - etched windows, branded mats and I'm sure the internal paint is new.   If not, a co-incidence its in the corporate colours.

Always something new to discover

They are on to a winning formula.  5pm and I am able to get the last table to sit at.   The place is full - groups of friends, dart playing youths, the old man in the corner with two pints on the go and a dog at his feet under the table.

And we're all here for the same thing.

And this was exceptional quality

So Bathams - I think I have finished now.  Should you need inspiration for future purchases, Stourport-on-Severn is lovely.