02/12/25 - Why Not, Bloxwich

Unloved Canals and Heritage Pubs

I cannot think of Bloxwich without being reminded of a local comedian, Johnny Sorrow. I saw him twice in the early 2010's and was amazed by the man's comic timing. He never went on to any success and AI cannot find any information about him since 2019.

The Internet doesn't totally forget.... Don't talk to me about mirthless big blokes from Bloxwich.

 

After the longest mile per minute railway journey in the world, I am in Bloxwich. Primarily to complete the next walk in my possibly 30 year old "Best Pub Walks in the Black Country book.  Yet, its another book that has piqued my interest. A month ago, I plotted all the Camra Heritage Pubs in the Midlands onto my Google Maps. Handily over adjoining pages, there are three in Bloxwich.

Of course I have ticked the Bull and Bladder

The walk, as anticipated, was a disaster. It looks like the only stretch of the Wyrley and Essington that has been abandoned is in Bloxwich. The book suggests crossing at a bit where the canal bed is dry. On arrival, the stepping stones that provided access have fallen into complete ruin. A high bank of scrub has been built on the opposite side. This is to hide the nefarious activities of scrap metal merchants who seemingly never want the outside world to see what they are up to.

Somehow, I am meant to get over to the dry land in the top left corner

Somehow, I managed to cross. You don't have to. This led to water soaked fields - a main road that even the guide book described as "awful" and the Why Not Inn. 

More bad news - I had checked it was open but rearranged my walking day to a Tuesday. When it opens mid afternoon.

I'll tell you "Why Not" - different opening hours on different days of the week

Quieter lane walking and then a maintained section of the aforementioned canal - with a Towpath.

Plain sailing, from here on in  

Several hours to my meeting about the importance of buildings within local communities (it was free, it was at the 1000 Trades), so lets check out the Bloxwich drinking scene, Heritage or otherwise.

The Spring Cottage has the lights on and the door unlocked. I am 15 minutes early for a 2pm opener but they show that customer service is alive and well and serve me. To be fair, three more people come in before the official opening hours, so they may need to reconsider. No cask, and despite the bar surround, no matured whiskies.

Mappiman declares it open. Other follow

Cruzcampo - ceremonial chalice 

A fine community local - where I was included in conversations and the jokes shared my one gentlemen who was no Johnny Sorrow.

All hail Sir Timbo. In a few years, we will talk about how we could buy perfect cask Christmas Ale in an impressive building and have change from a coin. 

Orkney Brewery Clootie Dumpling for £1.89

The former cinema was named the "Electric Palace". The Showman, a reference to Pat Collins, a member of the local carny.

Onto the Heritage Pubs - The Bell and The Turf Tavern - well dead. Optimistically, the shabbiest of the two - the Turf - has a hand written note in the window saying "temporarily closed". A look through the window and two spider plants on a table are in remarkably good condition. Someone is watering them.

The Bell - possibly salvageable

"the last truly unspoiled terrace pub left in the country". Folkestone's East Cliff Tavern would like a word 

Suggests it was a short term closure

Had been in the Hiscott-Wilkes family since 1871

Closure happened at the start of Covid and despite its listed status, I doubt any of us will see the outside gents, former brewery or pig-sties.

Which leaves us with Romping Cat - a corner local maintaining its original three room layout.

A heraldic lion was on the original sign for the Sandbank Tavern - hence the nickname

I found two of the rooms, and the second lounge bar even had another punter in it. A quiet pub, with no sound from TVs or jukeboxes. The bar person was wearing earphones. All that was needed was a ticking grand-father clock.

And what beer would you expect to find in a West Midlands Heritage pub?...

A excellent pint of Tetleys was probably not the answer you expected.

TV Off. Both punters in the lounge

A strange day - ending where I sign up for the fight to resurrect Birmingham's The Crown from evil Japanese car park owners.

Explorations will continue at haste. There is little time left for pub explorers.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 2

Walk Inspiration - Best Walks in the Black Country, Walk 4