The Lost Snug
Another book to work my way through. Worcestershire's Historic Pubs. No index and rather haphazard organisation - chapters on Mug Houses, Canal and Railway Pubs, Road Side Pubs and Locals.
The Bell at Pensax is filed under "Road Side Pubs".
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| Proper Pub Queuing |
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| Book published in 2007 |
The walk is from the Ramblers. Pensax and Menith Wood don't offer much for discovery. Half-hearted coal mining, but no evidence on the ground. I have to make do with hop fields, woodland and some fine views of the Worcestershire countryside.
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| At least I think they are hops. The Seek App identified them as "common weeds" |
This is the third time I have walked past Burnt House. There's a hermit that lives in splendid isolation with an ever-increasing collection of junk. Last time I passed, a radio was playing but all was in silence today. The next field has a farmer chopping down a tree who confirms that the eccentric is still alive. Maybe he has run out of battery.
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| A similar photo from 2018 |
Pub Archaeology at Menith Wood. The OS Map shows the big blue cup of joy, but identifying the Cross Keys proves impossible. The internet provides only one nondescript external photo but a Facebook page hints at the joy within. A closed pub is more than bricks and mortar; it is the fading of countless conversations, celebrations, and friendships.
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| The former landlady and slight menacing landlord |
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| We made our own entertainment. It was shite. |
A return to the Bell at Pensax. It was a permanent feature in the Good Beer Guide and was probably my first serious attempt at blogging pubs. It was closed for a few years and reopened in 2023. But not to universal acclaim. CAMRA removed it from its "Inventory of Historic Interiors" when the snug was lost during the renovation.
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| Bell forged in 1886 - about the same time as the pub |
The central serving hatch has also gone, but they leave the sign where Miss E Wallop has sold out her female sisters by insisting they know their place.
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| A pub is no place for discretion |
A dining room to the left and the main bar to the right. Log Burner, flagged floors and a frankly unnecessary selection of 6 cask ales. No need, there are only two other punters on a Thursday lunch.
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| I'm counting four pales and two bitters. Is there any need? |
To be fair, the Ludlow Gold was pulled through with a full 100% "wastage". One pint for the sink, one pint for me.
Monumental sausage rolls and scotch eggs available under a glass dome. Alas, the Mappiman retirement budget only runs to a liquid lunch, despite the temptation of a wonderful smelling fish finger sandwiches delivered to the two other punters.
Hard, when the storms meant you didn't bother taking sandwiches on the ramble.
Walk Details
Distance - 7 Miles
Geocaches - 1
Walk Inspiration - The Ramblers
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