10/10/25 - The White Hart, Hartlebury

The Bad Pint Blues

Leafing through the local history section of the Library, I stumble upon my favourite type of resource. An ancient walking book. 

Mr Schatz writes a book

A local walk and the chance to tick off an Historic Inns of Interest Pub on familiar paths. To the River Severn, downstream to Lincomb, determine how to get through a caravan park and then lanes to Hartlebury.

Heaving lifting at the boatyard

Lincomb Weir

A first chance to explore Hartlebury St James church, distinctively made from red sandstone, with the real beauty inside.

St James’ Church, Hartlebury was largely rebuilt in 1836-37 by Thomas Rickman, replacing earlier medieval structures, though fragments from around 1300 remain. It’s built of deep red sandstone with a tile aisles, carried on narrow sandstone columns and adorned with decorative cinquefoil-headed panels. roof, while its tower dates back to 1587. In the churchyard lie the graves of five Bishops of Worcester—Perowne, Carr, Pepys, and Hurd among them. Inside, galleries run along the north and south

St James

Forward Facing Font at the entrance

The White Hart pub is over the road. One of those pubs that rapidly goes through owners, often with short periods of being closed down.

1960s Guide Book

Largely unchanged

A small front drinking room, which I have to myself on a Friday lunchtime. Two beers on, with a lesser spotted Bath Gem on offer with no pump clip but a small board pronouncing it a special. Looked more interesting than the near ubiquitous Wye Valley HPA but I should have trusted my instincts. When I asked if the special was on, I was met with a "I think there is some left".

God knows how long it had been on but it was beyond palatable. That off diacetyl taste and smell that creeps up on the drinker. I have a sip, think is it off. Try again. Before I know it, I have sipped about a third and I have limited my chances of taking it back.

I just hate making a fuss in new, quiet places.

I should have. It bother me all the way home along the Leapgate Country Park.

Stomping home in a mood.

Walk Details

Distance - 8 Miles 

Walk Inspiration - Midland Walks 

Geocaches - 0

09/10/25 - The Stirchley Squiggle

Vintage on Cask

A short walk with the Ramblers, which the Walk Leader has named the Stirchley Squiggle. On account of its circuitous route along the River Rea, Cotteridge Park and the unfortunately named Lady Garden.

Birmingham Worcester Canal

An Erratic in Cotteridge Park

It's a fair way to go for a 3 miler, but I was keen to revisit the Stirchley Beer Scene. I knew the Wildcat Tap had closed down but I hadn't countered for others not opening until 5pm. So much for the Beer Mile. There's only one venue open in daylight hours mid-week, the traditional British Oak. And the eye-catching policy being promoted is to extend opening hours! Ha! 

With no particular plan in mind, I hotfoot it back to town on the train. I'll have a think which establishments to tick off in my bar-crawl app. It's as the train pulls away, I see on Twitter that there were other options. 

Now in stock from Old Chimneys Brewery . pic.twitter.com/HjN49Pu8G4

— Cotteridge Wines (@CotteridgeWines) October 9, 2025

That's a beer that's been on the bucket list for quite some time. A return is considered but discounted.

I'll check out another beer with the year in its name.  The last time in the Old Stock Joint, the Vintage Ale was "resting".

I am delighted to see it has now fully rested and is available for consumption. Even if I am too scared to meet the card reader in the eye.

There were four staff on - I could have got away with multiple tasters

Only in the pub

On reflection, £7.30 was not too outrageous to a man still simmering from the 6% Nothing Bound in a back street Cheltenham boozer that was 50p more.

To sit in such opulent surroundings, watching the suits buy huge rounds on expenses, helping stranded Germans grasp that you order at the bar, and admiring the autumnal cathedral landscape through the vast windows — that was money well spent.

I was content with my lifestyle choice.

Always been a favourite

Stunning on Cask - and a first not in bottle for me

Walk Details

Distance - 3 Miles

07/10/25 - Thurstaston Common for the Mill at Irby

All about the Bass

Our final walk on the Wirral. We've enjoyed it. So many options for off lead walking, with the Wirrall Way, The English Coast Path and little pockets of woodland. We explore two today; Thurstaston Common and Harrock Woods.

The common, the bigger of the two. Early highlights at the hill summit, with a toposcope memorial and a trigpoint.

Billy at the Toposcope

The Views to Wales

A break at Irby Village, where we find a coffee and cake stop and the former haunt of a popular beat combo.

The streets won't forget

Harrock Woods are a thin strip of woodland that leads to great bridle paths and onwards to the Irby Mill Pub. A recent addition to the Good Beer Guide and proudly proclaiming so on Twitter. With a hint that got Quinno tagged. They have the cask Bass.

Solid looking but not always pub.  Originally a Cafe

The rumours are true

 

Looks can be slightly deceptive. It's only been a pub since 1980. Today, there are very low ceilings and a number of rooms surrounding a central bar. Busy with locals, ramblers and the odd dining table. But it's primarily a drinking pub.

Refreshed, and back home through the woods of Thurstaston Common, attempting to find our way home through the myriad path.

Finding our way through the woods

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 8

Walk Inspiration - Pub Walks on Merseyside, Walk 23

06/10/25 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of West Kirby

Oktoberfest and Top Service on the Wirral

The best thing about a named storm is the weather that comes in after. A gorgeous autumnal afternoon for a beach walk to the Good Beer Guide Pubs of West Kirby.

2 miles to work up a thirst

There are two ticks available. When they are quite different, that's plenty.

The West Kirby Tap could be filed under the oxymoron of large MicroPub. The tap room for the Spitting Feathers brewery, its tardis like inside. A couple of distinct rooms, with a small bar under higher than expected ceilings.

A screeching car alarm meant we shunned the sunshine

To see what is on offer.

Excellent opening hours (noon to 11pm, every day) meant there was nothing to fear on a Monday afternoon. The weekend saw the start of their Oktoberfest celebrations - with Lowenbrau and Paulaner both on tap. £5.50 to £6 seemed fair value.

Especially when semi-banked

Onwards to a more traditional pub - The White Lion. A 200 year old boozer, which had the feel of a pub to hide in. Like a smuggler's pub on the Cornish coast, there's little natural daylight and plenty of nooks and crannies to hold up in.

Rather close to the road - hence the close up

The twin reasons were are on the Wirral - hiding under the table

The Twitter algorithm was working perfectly, as I saw their tweet about making into the bible on my feed. They showed the half dozen cask on offer - a couple from Neptune and then some rather unusual beers. I initially tried for a Peerless Knee-Buckler. The barman unhappy with the cloudy result and offering to change it before I said a word.

A first couple of Rev James reserve..... a 5.5% Best Bitter that could have been brewed just for me.

Two miles to walk back along the Wirral Way.

File under "Perfect Late Afternoon".