Lower Forester St, Walsall:
Just outside the town centre, this is a pleasant two-room Victorian pub. One room is given over to food, but I’ve never tried it. The other room has entertainment at times, but is otherwise pretty quiet. There’s usually an execellent choice of decent beer, and there’s cobs, which as we all know is a true indicator of a decent pub.
Brownhills, on the A5:
A`fairly pleasant pub, worth crossing the A5 for to break up a walk to Chasewater along the Anglesey Branch Canal. it’s been decorated recently, and I think the landlord is new. We arrived early (12:05- the sun was over the yard arm) and got served by his daughter. Both were friendly as was the only other customer. The beer choice wasn’t fantastic, but there’s Banks’s bitter and mild, and the bitter was pretty good. There were signs advertising food, but we didn’t try it.
Wolverhampton Rd, Bloxwich:
Finally!
Been planning a visit here for years. This pub is legendary in pub guides: It almost disappears into the surroundings, but look closely and it’s a real gem. It really is a timewarp: a victorian pub that had a few changes done in the 40s, and has hardly changed since. The only noise is conversation, the welcome is friendly, and the beer excellent. I’ll be going back.
Bell Lane, Bloxwich:
I’ve driven past literally hundreds of times, and first visited a few years ago. This is quite a surprise- from Bell Lane it just looks a bit grubby- probably the traffic- but from inside or the beer garden you get a lovely traditional, multi-room pub that looks like not a lot has changed for decades. This time we visited the The Bumpkin and his better half- at his suggestion, but I never pass up the opportunity of a drink here. No food, music at a good level, well-kept beer, and friendly staff & customers. It’s a fantastic pub.
Pelsall Road, Brownhills:
Well, BrownhillsBob will be pleased. One of Brownhills’ pubs has reopened, about 5 weeks ago. It’s a favourite of mine- nothing overly special, but a decent, honest local with friendly locals and a pleasant relief landlord (until the lease is sold). Presumably this means the pubco thinks there’s money to be made here.
It’s a nice building too- traditional Victorian boozer with the original etched glass from the original owner (William Roberts), like the Shoulder of Mutton nearby- and in both cases it’s survived intact, in Brownhills (!).
Fairly decent selection of beer, with one guest (London Pride). All it needs now is for the cobs and bar snacks to return…
At Brownhills West:
One of the pubs around Brownhills that hasn’t shut yet, unlike the Rising Sun opposite.
It’s not a terrible pub- there’s a decent selection of beer, and the outside seating is OK even with the A5 just feet away, but at times (including this) it’s a bit canteen-like. It enjoys a good reputation for it’s 2-for-one meals, and so, even on a Thursday, it was packed- passing traffic means it gets a good trade, though there were lots of local accents evident.
Still, it’s a good stopping point near Chasewater, and the beer and wine isn’t bad, if not the cheapest.
The Wharf is unusual: it’s a modern pub I like. I’ve drunk in there on and off since it opened. Beer and food are usually OK, and the canalside location is fantastic. It’s usually fairly tosser-free as well, which is a surprise. You can sit outside and ponder how 3 idiots have managed to drive cars into the canal basin.
Another Birchills pub. This one was on the list for some years, and for good reason: It’s a wonderful traditional Victorian pub with traditional decor, friendly staff, cracking beer, cobs (always a good point) and even friendly locals. This one is up there with the (yet to be blogged) Pyle Cock (Wednesfield) and Bell (Bloxwich).
Right by the side of the canal, hence the name, in Birchills.
We visited the day after it reopened: It had been shut for a few months, and suffered some vandalism and a squatter. It’s not plush- this *is* Birchills, after all, but the staff were brilliant and the beer (just the normal selection at the moment) was decent. Food is apparently on the way, and the canalside beer garden is to be reopened.
Another Red Lion, but nearer home. It’s a quirky, small Victorian pub right in the main shopping area. There’s basic but decent food- not the best choice of beer, but it’s usually OK. The best point of this pub is where it is: escape from shopping is close by.