07/03/20 - The Tamworth Trio of Good Beer Guide Pubs

Distance - 9 Miles
Geocaches - 10
Pubs - 3 - Good Beer Guide Ticks - #474 to #476
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine - Feb 2020, Walk 12



Worcestershire's first new railway station in over 100 years opens up a new world of pub walking destinations. South to Cardiff, North to the Beer Towns of Burton, Derby and Nottingham.

New Transport Options

But I've never been to Tamworth.  I knew nothing about it being the Capital of King Offa's Anglo Saxon kingdom of West Mercia only to be raised to the ground by pesky vikings.   Like a phoenix from the flames, it was resurrected by Aethelfaed, daughter of Alfred the Great.   It's got a castle.

Norman Castle

Its from the castle that I pick up the River Tame to take me west to Hopwas.   Not the most interesting of walking but the good people of Tamworth were not going to be defeated twice by the Viking and have built a collection of gun emplacements - should they try it on again in their longboats.

More effective warcraft than helmets with horns on

A handful of Geocaches in Hopwas, where I pick up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal all the way back to the River Tame south of the town.

A potential friend, ahead on the tow path.

In no time at all, I am back in the town for all the pleasures on offer.   Lunch provided by the joys of street food and three Good Beer Guide entries to explore.

Tamworth Tap, Market Street, Bathams

Easily the best of the three.   This rambling pub is built in the former tourist information office. The landlady was keen to show me around.  A lovely suntrap terrace overlooking the castle, little alcoves and an upstairs for even more room.   I even got 10p off my pint for being a lapsed Camra member.

Much better than your average shop conversion

Wing back chairs providing an eye on the world

Outside Terrace and Castle Views

Its the home of the Tamworth Brewing company but there were too many other temptations.

Three Tuns, Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby or Bathams?

Easily the best pub in town.  If you visit only one, this should be it.

Sir Robert Peel, Lower Gungate, SRP

When the good people of Tamworth are in doubt on what to name something, they go for Sir Robert Peel.

Tamworth's Favourite Son

There's a hospital, a pub and even the beer sold in in the pub all called SRP.   Confusion must reign, when you arrange to meet someone.  Guess you have to ask if they are ill or thirsty first.

Another SRP

A very average pub that won't last in the memory for long.

The Kings Ditch, Lower Gungate, Yeovil Ales Harlequin

In the quest for town completion, I force myself to go in the most micro of micros.  I know what I am going to get.  Stares from the regulars as I enter their inner sanctum.   The hope of getting a comfortable seat dashed, with all six tables in use.

Not going full frontal.

There's one tiny stool free, perched next to the coat stand and in front of the curtain that hides the way to the toilets.   Its the only choice, so I sit there and join the regulars in staring into the middle of the former shop. 

For entertainment there are two options.

Option 1 and by far the most popular is when someone walks past who is recognised and a two minute debate on where he had been could easily have been avoided as his shopping bag had Morrisons emblazoned on the side.

Option 2 there is a TV.  Its tuned to a live feed of where the beer is kept.   So you can see the man run around the back and pour a punters pint.  Like a Camra version of the Wizard of Oz.

This was oddly comforting.