PubBlog

Burton-upon-Trent:

View Larger Map

An area that could be described as ‘vibrant’ surrounds this pub:it’s not plush or genteel, more gritty and real. However, it seems Ok to me: lots of takeaways nearby, lots of 19c terraced houses. The pub itself looks very smart- I think it’s been cleaned and repointed. There’s pleasant outside space, and while the lounge seems to not be used in the week when I visisted, the bar was pleasant. Staff and customers pleasant, cask ale on (but I was driving). Thisa was my second visit, and I was dissapointed that the giant furry tarantula was missing from the ceiling, in preparation for the Jubilee decorations. Despite this, a nice place to wait for an hour.

Lichfield:

View Larger Map

This was described by one BITE user as being an “up market ‘spoons” which seems fair enough. Beer was OK, all the usual suspects and a few real ales. Standard chain-pub food menu, and a few chavs, even in la-di-dah Lichfield. Not horrific by any means, but not marvellous either: TVs showing football, but sound muted and quietish music.

Lichfield:

View Larger Map

What a very nice pub this is. It’s a short walk from the main shopping streets, and is a traditional community boozer with an impressive selection of real ale. There’s food on offer- but not when we were there (around 9pm), so it was just people enjoying a drink. There was a TV on in the lounge, but the sound was thankfully off. Lichfield’s fashionable lot seemed to thankfully be absent too, so this, coupled with the beer and the pleasant staff made for a nice few pints.

Lichfield:

View Larger Map

This looked nice from the outside, but turned out to be a letdown. The beer was OK (Landlord), but the prices were a bit steep (7 quid for a large wine and said pint), and the only atmosphere in the place was the drain-like stench that drove us out fairly quickly. It also had a selection of pushchairs- never a good sign.

Lichfield:

View Larger Map

Had very high hopes of this pub: it’s a favourite haunt of several of the Lichfield Twitterati.

Was very slightly (but only slightly) dissapointed: I prefer the Horse and Jockey. It’s a fine pub though: several real ales, good snack selection, friendly staff, and a nice atmosphere: it just didn’t quite hit the spot for some reason, even though there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Lichfield:

View Larger Map

Apparently known locally as The Drum, this supposedly has the recommendation of local MP Micheal Fabricant, but don’t let that put you off: it’s a decent pub.

Beer choice OK: Pedigree and Hobgoblin when we visited, plus the usual suspects. The Pedigree was decent too, which sadly is often not the case in many pubs. Nice location looking out on to the market square, decent food and a pleasant barman.

Norton Canes:

View Larger Map

This is a pleasant locals pub. There’s no railway any more near here, but it did pass close by. There’s a choice of food from cobs to a full meal, and a decent choice of real ale and cider. There’s a beer garden as well.

Cannock:

View Larger Map

Called in here before a walk back home. It’s a by-the-numbers carvery- but very cheap at £3.59 Mon-Sat. We only had a soft drink.

It’s innoffensive, but unexceptional.

Essington:

View Larger Map

This is The Bumpkin‘s local, so I’d better be nice.

It is a nice pub, and surprisingly large, with a real mix of ages from 20somethings on their way to the big city to pensioners. It’s very much a local’s pub, (being the only pub in the centre of the village) but everyone’s friendly. The beer is pretty much always good too, with changing guest beers.

Essington:

View Larger Map

We’ve been curious about this pub for a long time. It’s alongside the A462, a surprisingly busy road that connects Willenhall to the M6. It’s an inviting pub, with a decent car park over the road.

We sampled beer and food: both were good (Abbott Ale FTW), and prices were good too, and the staff were pleasant, so it’s worth a visit. It’s a bit off the beaten track if you’re not driving though.