17/08/26 - Sedgley Ale Trail

Monday Lunchtime Ticking

Never the best day for visiting pubs, but I don't do too badly in Sedgley. I was here on the trail of a Victorian Widow (read on, if interested) but in the back of my mind, I knew there was another Sedgley item on my Google Calendar To Do List.

Nine available but as stated, it's Monday. Wallet and liver will be safe.

2. The Beacon Hotel

The first I reach, on my approach from a hidden medieval lane across Turl's Hill. It should be number 1 on your list too. In other pubs, I am taken as a pub tourist and the bar staff there ask "Have you been to the Beacon Hotel?". 

Even when their own pub is empty.

The Beacon Hotel

Handsome from all angles

It's the brew pub for Sarah Hughes, where their Ruby Mild is the stuff of legend. Facebook showed a delighted punter finding it in Portsmouth on the weekend. You might think a 6% easy drinker is the strongest drink available. The chalk written board has a brew called Hedgerow - coming in at a whopping 7.3%.

The bar is a near unique experience. There is a glass partition that only opens to belly button height. You can either remain anonymous, or crouch down - where the staff crouch down back to meet your gaze. It must be a health and safety concern for cricked necks for staff and punters alike.

Once you've chosen your poison, you have a considerably bigger decision to make. Where to sit. There appears to be room after room internally and then a pleasant rear patio and play area. Or you can just do what this tourist did - wander around until you find the most life.

Back to the wall pensioners

I love the old school opening hours..... maybe it was so busy, as people know it closes at 2:30 for an afternoon hiatus.

3. The White Lion - Closed on a Monday lunchtime.

4. The Bulls Head

A pleasant enough Holdens Pub, suffering with a lack of punters. I awoke the barmaid from her doom-scrolling and enjoyed another tick on the Holdens Chain, with a Black Country Special.

My type of pub

Steven Brown Highland Cow and an indication of brewery distance

1. Mount Pleasant and 9. The Crown - The Mount Pleasant is a "Want to Go" but is not open on many lunchtimes, so saved for another day. The Crown, a desi pub, will be ticked on that day.

7. Sandy's - The only one on the PDF that is closed down. It was a cafe with an alcohol licence.

8. Seven Stars - Too far out of my way.

5. The Clifton 

'Spoons cannot be kept out of the news. This week, the mainstream media has Timbo's announcement that mobile phones on loudspeaker are to be banned. The sooner we give this man other parts of society to manage, the better. And in the latest Critic Magazine - a two page article in praise of the most democratic of pub chains.

Timely article in this month's The Critic.

Mirroring yesterday's joy. pic.twitter.com/NKDJVBPUPe

— Mappiman (@Mappiman1) August 18, 2026

The crux of the article - how he saves important high street buildings, promotes cask ales and offers value for money for all perfectly experienced during my visit of this old picture house which would be otherwise left to rot.

A grand 'spoons

6. The Swan Inn

A little bit of an ugly duckling - I couldn't find a decent angle to photograph it in a reasonable light. It certainly exceeded expectations. Two old boys watching the golf and one old girl with an older dog did not seem to warrant the four cask ales available.

Yet, my Town Crier was in perfect condition.

You cannot always succumb to your own prejudices.

And on blogging, I determine it's in the 2026 Good Beer Guide.  My 1191 tick.

Reassuring to see that I concur with the bible, even when unaware.

01/05/26 - Rail Trail - Langley Green to Old Hill, Via Rowley Regis

Walking Backwards for the Waterfall

The official Rail Trails stop at Stourbridge to restart at Shirley. The powers that be decided that there is nothing worth walking on the stations in-between. I know better — and with an OS map and Google Maps with pubs of interest plotted, I fashion something of value from Langley Green to Old Hill.

Going backwards to finally get the Holdens pub tick at the Waterfall. Friday sees standard pub opening hours.

Exiting Langley Green, I find the only "green" space on the map. I should say blue — the 1-mile Titford Canal, reaching a dead end at the M5, which I discover is built on water.

I knew he made rice

The M5 — surprisingly built on water

No avoiding the roads to get back to Old Hill. A plod to ponder why drug dealers wear such obvious uniforms: grey velour tracksuits with designer man bags.

For entertainment, I have the twin activities of finding a barber’s shop and pubs — both old and new.

A repeat visit to The Britannia, at Rowley Regis. Like a ninja, I press the pedestrian crossing to arrive at the exact moment the bolt of the door scrapes open. I’m always a little suspicious of the first pint pulled of the day, but the Bass settled into perfect condition as the pub filled up with workies getting ready for a bank holiday weekend.

Pub and brewery

A monster 22 Pub (Alan Winfield lives!) on Bartrek alerted me to The Last Jar. Conveniently situated opposite a barbers, staffed only by mutes. I wouldn’t have minded, but I had rehearsed the answer to where I was going on my holidays. The pub itself was a former barbers and is now a split-level micropub. An excellent Green Duck Stronghold bitter, flawlessly presented — not a bubble in the glass and a perfect colour.

Micropub ticking in Blackheath

Finally, I time The Waterfall to be open, having previously been forced to walk past on its usual closed afternoons. A long-standing project to visit all their tied pubs gets another tick.

All downhill to the station

Unexpectedly, Bathams is available. I have never seen Holdens in one of their tied pubs. Maintaining brand loyalty, I ordered a Holdens Black Country Special, only to find it required changing — allowing me to have what I really wanted. The friendly landlady assured me the locals say she keeps it better than in the King Arthur.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Previous Stages on the Wyre Valley Line - Worcester to Droitwich, Droitwich to Hartlebury, Hartlebury to Kidderminster, Kidderminster to Hagley, Hagley to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Cradley Heath, Cradley Heath to Old Hill

28/03/26 - West Midlands Metro Pub Crawl - Stage 4

Back to the Beginning

The quest to find the nearest pubs to the West Midlands Metro stops reaches stage 4. I'm back in Wolverhampton. The brief was to see if AI had plotted correctly and to move on three stops at a time. Having got to Birmingham, I reset from The Royal.

 

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
11	The Royal	The Royal London	The Harp

All I can say is that if you think Wolverhampton is rough, wait till you reach the outskirts. AI getting it hopelessly wrong. There is a pub called the Royal London, but it's much further from a tram stop in the middle of a dual carriageway than the Harp.

Hard to know if the Harp is open.... or a pub

The last review on pubsgalore is from 2012....

A traditional pub for the discerning drinker who likes good company of a refined nature

Which shows that irony has never been out of fashion.

If I was truly down with the kids and abandoned Twitter for TikTok, I would have known that this place is famous for its authentic Jamaican cuisine. Indeed, all the action was in the room on the opposite side of the bar where a jolly man with a plastic apron, gloves and hat was keeping customers entertained.

This left the bar side for me - still a traditional drinking area and Guinness at £3.50 adding to the time-warp vibes. Horse racing on a TV, which could not be heard over the humming of a drinks chiller. Loud enough that it must be breaking health and safety rules.

For lunch, Jamaican, rather than Black Country, would have been a better choice

 

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
12	Bilston Central	The Trumpet	The Horse and Jockey

Interesting. The Horse and Jockey was visited when I alighted at The Crescent. I hadn't realised it was next door to Bilston Tram Station and I only hope I didn't walk all the way back last time out.

So the Trumpet - long saved in my "to go" list and also a Holdens Pub (another ticklist) is on the cards. Even if I have to "cheat" by walking past a terrifying Craft Union pub. The chain that provides a home to those banned from 'spoons.

Jazz - 7 Days a Week

It's places like this that make my travels worthwhile. This inauspicious looking place has become a mecca for live music since a landlord started playing his Jazz records in the 1950s. Slade used to meet there, and it might have been an interview with Noddy, where I found the inspiration to go.

The Slade International Fan Club

It now has a "stage" at the far end and a collection plate to pay towards the artists. Slightly too early for the scheduled act, I wasn't not entertained. A bizarre Saturday afternoon form of karaoke takes place. Punters are encouraged to sing along to Fleetwood Mac, whilst (I assume) the landlord plays along on the bongos and/or the drums.

It's actually much better than I can make it sound.

This, chatty locals, banter and a landlady who came and had a chat with a stranger made for a perfect afternoon. 

I will be back... I missed the GBG Tick the Cafe Metro and the building opposite is surely worthy of blogging and research.

Black Country Bitter

Surprised to find a Medieval Manor House in Bilston - The Greyhound and Punchbowl

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
13	Wednesbury Parkway	The Brunswick	The Lord Nelson

There is a pub called the Brunswick Arms - so AI may have been saving me from myself. The Lord Nelson is much closer - but it's a terrifying walk to get there. First, underpasses need to be negotiated - which are somehow far more sinister when devoid of human life than when the hoodies are congregating. Then a walk past those chop shops that you only see on daytime crime series. All cars with missing front ends and no registration plates.

During my walk, I thought Google Maps was having a moment.

Pub Ahead - You've got to want to go!

The Lord Nelson up close

Does this mean other toilet-based activity is allowed?

I've no idea where the other punters have come from but there was one table occupied under the TV screen with the football scores coming in. 5 customers showing the pub to be a real survivor. Maybe it gets lunchtime trade from the chop shops in the week?

Tick them whilst you can!

Number	Station	AI Recommendation	Actual Nearest
14	Dudley Street Guns Village	The Horse and Jockey	The Wheatsheaf

AI getting it slightly wrong again. There is a Horse and Jockey in West Brom but you have to walk past both the Hop Pole and the Wheatsheaf. The Hop Pole previously visited, as it was in the Good Beer Guide. The Wheatsheaf an enigma of poor opening hours. When I say hours, I should say days. Although that might have changed. Sources disagree.

Regardless - it's a Holdens and looks handsome from the outside.

Handsome - and open for the first time in 3 visits

The Positives: Best pint of the day today. Not too hard, but the Golden Glow was perfect.

The Negatives: All a bit spartan inside - very brightly lit and furniture that looks stolen from a café. Not really providing the comfy pubby vibes suggested by the exterior.

Dimmer switch required

This never ending pub crawl gets picked up from West Bromwich Central next time. Hopefully, in less than 6 months.

Walk Details

Previous Metro Pub Walks - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Pubs - 4

Total Number of Metro Station Pubs - 14

09/05/25 - Pub Archaeology, Holdens and Geocaching in Trysull

Black Magic in the Black Country

I appreciate from the title of this blog that all my worlds have collided. 

I was in Trysull for a Geocaching round. You'll probably not be interested in Tupperware in bushes, but the walking in this are is very pleasant. Especially when you consider that its on the fringes of the Black Country and not far from Wolverhampton.

This is the Black Country

The village itself is ancient, mentioned in the Domesday book as "Treslei". Disappointinly, 66% of the pubs have closed down - leaving one remaining. A chance for a little pub archaeology. 

The Hollybush was found - now apartments, with little of interest. This is something that the Plough could not be accused off. An ancient postcard showing that structurally, the pub is easily identifiable. 

315

Nice bit of pub archeology at the former Plough, Trysull. Found on a 6m Geocaching trail

Spooky tales at the blog..... Which isn't mine 😄https://t.co/hJNHpSp1Mt pic.twitter.com/pCEuWOiYxc

— Mappiman (@Mappiman1) May 9, 2025

The only thing I can see that has changed in the c100 years is the placement of the sign labelled quarters. Now moved closer to the roof.

Unsure what this represents, but the other sign is to with a Cycling Club

My tweet references a blog-post detailing a rather disturbing past. A painting of the devil, links to children being involved in Black Magic rituals and tunnels to an unnamed "Green Man" gravestone. I can only assume this is in the church next to my open pub destination, The Bell. Have a read.

It would appear that it has been private accommodation since 2020, following a Marstons sell-off. A downstairs window was open and if someone had been there, I would have been tempted to ask if they knew the history. If the answer was no, they may not have slept well again, so probably for the best it was all quiet.

The Bell is a fine (finest) Holdens pub. Solid looking and "Pure Black Country" proudly displayed on the frontage. Too nice a day to sit inside, so a picnic table. Only slightly disturbing to see the old boys at the next table tucking into a roast dinner. In 24°C sunshine! On a Friday!

Pure Black Country....

.... Special

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 27

15/04/25 - The Waterfall, Old Hill

Holdens Hours Lead to BCA Benefit

Mrs M looked rather bemused when I tell her I am off to Old Hill for a walk. Bemusement leads to hilarity and she spies my Urban Explorer outfit. Maybe I'll create a AI Doll so you can join in the mirth.

These gritty urban walks - from a book with handwritten maps published decades ago - can produce real joy. There is nothing wrong with the walk. All green corridors, with the Dudley Number 2 Canal taking me down to Leasowes Park and the Monarch's Way through Coombeswood taking me home to Blackheath.

Feature	Description
Dudley Canal Number 2	The Dudley Number 2 Canal is a historic waterway running through the West Midlands, opened in 1798 to serve the coal and iron industries of the Black Country. It stretches around 11 miles from the Dudley Tunnel at Netherton through places like Old Hill and Halesowen to join the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Selly Oak.
Leasowes Park	​Leasowes Park in Halesowen is a landmark of English landscape gardening, designed by poet William Shenstone between 1743 and 1763. Transforming his inherited farmland, Shenstone created a 'ferme ornée'—a blend of working farm and ornamental garden—that became a model for naturalistic landscape design.

I will make it back to Bumble Hole

The Landscaping in Leasowes Park

Views of the Clent Hills from the Monarchs Way

I was here to tick off a Holdens Pub. The Guide Book recommends the Waterfall as "one of 6 great hostelries in the area". Alas, they don't tell us the other five... only that the Waterfall "offers Hook Norton, Everards and Marstons Beers and is open daily for lunch time and evening service".

Of course things have changed. It now only opens from 4p.m. on weekdays. A dubious Holdens Tick, and although only a short distance from the station, I am unsure whether I would risk the steep walk up the Old Hill.

Black Country Special for another day

Holden's loss is Black Country Ales gain. Two Good Beer Guide Ticks in the immediate area. 

Currently, Black Country Ales are running a promotion to visit the pubs and get stamps in a log book. Coach Trips are offered, as the chain stretches from Herefordshire to Leicestershire and all places in between.

Having visited two sequentially, I'm unsure if I could think of anything more uninspiring, pub-wise. Taken individually, a BCA house offers a traditional experience, with classic pub furniture, doggy filling stations, pub games, cobs you've heard off and beers you probably haven't.

The problem is that they are all the bloody same. I swear the checked seat coverings in the Swan and the Old Bush Revived were identical. The fonts on the toilet doors definitely were. As was the WiFi Password.

The Swan

The Old Bush Revived

In a game of "Spot the Difference", I'd say the beer was better in the Old Swan. Both pints were Citras, with Peerless Citruvian a better pint than Hop Back Citra. 

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Best Pub Walks in the Black Country, Walk 21

Geocaches - 2

24/03/25 - Old Moseley Hall to Wolvo for the Great Western

Great Cathedral of Beer

There's no need to rush Wolverhampton. I had found a 14.5 mile walk in Country Walking Magazine. I may not have much but I 've got plenty of time. Three weeks ago, I made it from town to the National Trust Property, Old Moseley Hall. Now to finish the walk. From Old Moseley Hall, back into the City and hopefully find my way to one of the best pubs in the land.

A walk of two halves - more of the Monarch's Way through some fine Countryside and then picking up the Wyrley and Essington Canal.

Today's Routes

Northycote Manor Farm on the Monarch's Way

The Curly Wyrley

At Wednesfield, an unexpected portal to a secret world was found. Like a budding Pevensie, I found Narnia.

Should I enter?

I had found myself in the Royal Tiger - incredibly busy for a Monday afternoon, even when the sun was shining. I put this down to two reasons, the Cask Jaipur was £2.79 and everyone overhead on mobiles talking about redundancy payouts and being put on gardening leave. Something terrible is happening to capitalism.

My real goal, of course, was the Great Western. A Holdens Pub, where if you have time you can do a taste challenge to determine if Black Country Special is better than Bathams Bitter. Or possibly just different.

I had recently seen it described on a British Pubs Facebook Page as a "Great Cathedral of Beer". Certainly had to disagree.

Under the tracks - ask the pigeons for directions

Only time for a Black Country Special Today - but I will return

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 5

Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine May 2024, Walk 14

Part 1 of Walk

29/01/25 - The Slow Way - Highley to Bridgnorth

Bridgnorth - Pub Town

Back on the Slow Ways - which is a reference that could equally apply to Diamond Buses. How can a 12 mile journey take 2.5 hours? How can an hourly bus be 75 minutes late? Do bus companies have delay/repay?

Griping over, I do look forward to my Slow Way walks - one of the best route resources on the web. This is an easy navigation walk - follow the mud on the Jack Mytton Way to Hampton. Then it's the Severn Way right into Bridgnorth.

Horses above the Severn Valley

Faded Jack Mytton Way Marker

Camp Hill on the River Severn

Into Bridgnorth. One of those towns where there always seems to be a new Good Beer Guide Tick to be had. Shropshire CAMRA very fair, constantly circulating the recommendations. Today, I have two to tick and both a coloured Lion. But as I was passing, it would have been rude not to say hello to one of the best Railway Pubs in the land.

Bathams Tomorrow

The White Lion only reopened in 2023 but has made it into the bible already. A traditional pub, offering bed and breakfast. Number of punters - 3. Number of cask handpulls - 6. I am now the sort of annoying  customer that asks "what is freshest on?" and then uses CIA trained techniques to see if I am being lied to. The answer, was Fixed Wheel Wheely Pale. It was absolutely perfect. Unlike the toilets. Point deducted for comedy urinals from a barrel.

Traditional Coaching House

The Shakespeare over the road looked inviting. I'm not that familiar with Joules Houses, but if they are all like this, I need to get investigating. Wood Burner - temptingly just out of reach in a little snug on the opposite side of the bar. After ordering my drink, I asked for it to be delivered to the other side and out and back in I went.

Slumbering Monk from Joules chosen. Much debate with a knowledgeable bar lady about how to class this dark, fruity beer. She was reluctant to say mild. Untappd calls it a bitter. Whatever it was, it was far too cold. Thank the lord for the log burner to warm it up on.

Joules, Shakespeare - White Lion in the background

Never bitter

Two ticks for the price of one at The Golden Lion. I am working my way around all the Holdens Pubs. And this one is in the Good Beer Guide.

Choice of rooms on entry - should I go Lounge or Bar. Bar sounds most likely to have fellow drinkers. But I was wrong. All the laughter head over the counter. A party in flight that I wasn't invited to.

The Black Country Special was delightful but I can only hope Holdens use oversized glasses. A good 10% head served on mine and the old boy who came in to keep me company.

Golden Lion (gonna tell me where the light is)

A Rambler's Lunch

It will have to be the Low Town for my next Bridgnorth visit.

Slow Ways has taken me from Birmingham to Bridgnorth. Let's see where I can go from here!

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 0

Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways

Previous Slows Ways - Birmingham to Blackheath, Blackheath to Halesowen, Halesowen to Stourbridge, Stourbridge to Kinver, Kinver to Highley

04/06/24 - The White House, Hockley

A Brewery Tied Pub with no Cask from the Brewery

Ever get the feeling you've started something by mistake? 😅

Having walked from all the Bathams pubs, I thought I would attempt the same from their Black Country competitor, Holdens. To be fair, walk 1 to the Shrubbery Cottage was fine.

The White House is their only tied pub in Birmingham. I've completed many a pub crawl in the Jewellery Quarter and had never heard of it. 

WhatPub - a resource that never lies - has it down as an 11am opener. A rainy summer's day, has me heading off to discover it.

It's a survivor. Town planners have seemingly tried to separate it from anything else through road building. Like those farms you see in the central reservations of northern motorways, it's left on its own little island.

Splendid Isolation

It's 11:02. No sign of lights or life. Finding the entrance requires two full circuits. Barred windows and closed doors lead to head scratching before a couple of workies are exiting. My "What Time Does it Open?" request is met with "It is open".

I quickly get my bearings - pop music from a commercial radio station, a vague Irish theme and a single hand pull on the bar. I've never had Holden's Mild before and it would appear that this record will last at least until I complete walk 3.

My super friendly server - who does a great job of managing the two other patrons - informs me that it's not on. My two other fellow drinkers poison of choice? Carling. But in an unexpected and previously unexperienced twist.... from the can.

I'm in for a penny now - so Guinness - the go-to when in unusual situations - is ordered. WiFi password obtained, but alas, no indication of which of the 18 available signals it belongs to.

I'll concentrate on eavesdropping conversations. Not to replayed here but I was amused when one of the jobs was vitriolic on why he wasn't going to vote today. It is the 4th, just not of July.

Inside the White House

An hour spent pondering if a brewery can give up on their own tied house? It would appear so - a couple of Holdens Pub I have on my list are already marked as "permanently closed" on Google Maps.

Onwards with the walk - the usual streets of light industry and a dip into the catacombs. 

Chamberlain Clock Tower means you are close to the Rose Villa Tavern

The Catacombs.  From Above.

Lunch? Well, the 1000 Trades was closed for a private event. The Button Factory was a mistake that only a pub ticker can make by thinking "I've never been in there".

Black Country Ales it is.

And there are too many of those pubs to complete a walking list from.

The Jewellers Arms - Handy for the Station....

.... and a perfect Black Country Lunch

Walk Details

Distance - 2 Miles

Walk Inspiration