13/11/22 - The Woodbridge Inn, Coalport

Distance - 5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Pub Walks App

Geocaches - 2

The Woodbridge Inn sits high above the River Severn and built in 1785 at the same time as the eponymous crossing.

After a week on the Sicilian sauce, I an banned from an adventurous public transport journey to Worcester's Tripel Bs Belgian bar. I'll have to wait for "Lambic Day" 2023.

Instead, Mrs M wants something more wholesome. A walk. I assume this means a walk with Sunday Lunch, so I fire up the Pub Walks App to find a suitable walk along the river. From Woodbridge to Ironbridge.

And you could not hope for a more gentle stoll, with plenty of interest.

On the western bank, a disused railway line leads past former industry.  Added poignancy from the Armistice parade starting out from the Boat Inn, Jackfield.  Brass band and sombre pomp.

The less famous Steel Bridge at Coalport

Boat Inn, Jackfield

Past Industrial Heritage

Ironbridge is a fine place for a stop off. Yes, you can take photos of a world's first.  More importantly, there is a pie shop on the Eastern side. Take your pick from sausage rolls, Cornish pasties or pork pies from Eley's.

Ironbridge Town

Crossing over to Eley's

A world's first

The return trip is a less interesting affair, mainly along roads but with at least 3 pubs spotted for the truly thirsty.

We are saving ourselves to pay for our parking.

When asking Mrs M about Sunday Lunch, she replied that "I've got a chicken in".  

I'm relived.

This may be my first Brunning and Price tied house. The lamb (Mrs M's go to dish) is £19.95 Cauliflower cheese (Mrs M's go to side) is £4.95.

A sign pronounces that Xmas day lunch is now fully booked. I couldn't help but have a look. £84.95.

Each.

Thank the lord for supermarket chicken.

Location, location, Brunning and Price

A week of searching for Italian craft beer bars (more than you would expect) and I am itching for traditional cask. The line-up better than expected. The Three Tuns XXX subject to a welcome double top up.

Could have been plum, could have been honey

Taken outside, in an attempt to capture the view

24/10/21 - The Bridge Inn, Tibberton

Distance - 5.5 Miles

Walk Inspiration - Pub Walks App

A message received on the Nottingham to Birmingham train. Mrs M would like to go for a walk that finishes with Sunday Lunch out.   Good job I have yet another source of information in the Pub Walks App.  Available for free download, it contains walking routes from around 100 pubs.  Simple to use and without it, I may never have found Tibberton, least of all the Bridge Inn - one of two pubs in the village.

The walk is very straightforward and surprisingly mud free.  A stretch along the Worcester/Birmingham canal - accessed from the pub car park - and then through fields to the ridge that runs along the south side of Trench Wood.

Easy Canal Walking

The Ridge at Trench Wood

Pubs need our support and the Bridge probably needs it more than most.  Imagine taking over the running of the place in the middle of the Pandemic.  That's what the new landlord did.... brave man.

Solid Country Pub

Its now earning a reputation as a food venue and the Sunday Lunch - to which Mrs M is something of a connoisseur - was highly rated.  Lovely service too.

Beer wise, there was a Hobsons and Wye Valley HPA - selected, and in fine condition.

Booking details attendees, not the number of HPAs consumed