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View Full Version : The Four Counties, 14 days, watery pub crawl.



Crossste
03-07-2010, 19:01
Right folks. At the end of the month we will be embarking on a 14 day holiday on what is known in the narrow boating world as the Four Counties Ring, plus the Caldon canal. This comprises of Staffs, Cheshire, Salop and West Mids. Our itinerary in no particular order as we are not sure if we will be going clock or anti-clockwise yet, it depends which way the boat is facing when we get there, is as follows :-

Barleston-The Plume of Feathers. I know nothing about this place or the pub but in Nicholsons waterways guide it says it does real ale so I will give it a try.

Denford-The Holly Bush. We used this pub the last time we did the Four Counties + Caldon and it did 3-4 good real ales iirc.

Consall Forge-The Black Lion. Not used this pub before but it is well spoken of in the boating world for its beer and food.

Hardingswood, Kidsgrove- The Blue Bell. GBG listed and more CAMRA awards than you can shake a sausage at.

Wheelock-?????????. Not sure which pub to use here. Nicholsons lists 3 pubs doing real ale so will probably try all 3. Advice welcome.

Middlewich-????????. A few pubs in town but none really to my liking. We usually end up in British Legion which has Hydes and a guest on.

Barbridge-The Jolly Tar. It looks to do a few real ales according to its website and as the alternative is the Barbridge Inn which is a pub chain outlet the Jolly Tar looks favourite.

Audlem. Three pubs in the village all do real ale iirc.

Market Drayton-The Talbot or JDW. Talbot does 3-4 ales and good grub and JDWs are JDWs. So we will make our mind up when we get there.

High Offley-The Anchor. More than likely our only lunchtime drink due to timings but it would be rude to pass this apparently “unspoilt hostelry miles from anywhere”.

Brewood. Again several pubs in the village so a mooch about will be called for.

Penkridge. Looking for advice here.

Great Heywood. Same as Penkridge.

Stone-The Swan Inn, The Star Inn & JDWs plus whatever anyone can recommend.

These overnight stops are pretty much where we want to be each night but there is one spare night to allow for hold ups or if the occasion arises somewhere to stay 2 nights, we like the look of somewhere not listed or God forbid a night without the beer if the kidneys are yelping.

I know some of these areas are a bit off the beaten track but please feel free to recommend any pubs which are worth a visit if you are familiar with the places we will be travelling too.

ROBCamra
03-07-2010, 19:05
Right folks. At the end of the month we will be embarking on a 14 day holiday on what is known in the narrow boating world as the Four Counties Ring, plus the Caldon canal. This comprises of Staffs, Cheshire, Salop and West Mids. Our itinerary in no particular order as we are not sure if we will be going clock or anti-clockwise yet, it depends which way the boat is facing when we get there, is as follows :-

Barleston-The Plume of Feathers. I know nothing about this place or the pub but in Nicholsons waterways guide it says it does real ale so I will give it a try.

Denford-The Holly Bush. We used this pub the last time we did the Four Counties + Caldon and it did 3-4 good real ales iirc.

Consall Forge-The Black Lion. Not used this pub before but it is well spoken of in the boating world for its beer and food.

Hardingswood, Kidsgrove- The Blue Bell. GBG listed and more CAMRA awards than you can shake a sausage at.

Wheelock-?????????. Not sure which pub to use here. Nicholsons lists 3 pubs doing real ale so will probably try all 3. Advice welcome.

Middlewich-????????. A few pubs in town but none really to my liking. We usually end up in British Legion which has Hydes and a guest on.

Barbridge-The Jolly Tar. It looks to do a few real ales according to its website and as the alternative is the Barbridge Inn which is a pub chain outlet the Jolly Tar looks favourite.

Audlem. Three pubs in the village all do real ale iirc.

Market Drayton-The Talbot or JDW. Talbot does 3-4 ales and good grub and JDWs are JDWs. So we will make our mind up when we get there.

High Offley-The Anchor. More than likely our only lunchtime drink due to timings but it would be rude to pass this apparently “unspoilt hostelry miles from anywhere”.

Brewood. Again several pubs in the village so a mooch about will be called for.

Penkridge. Looking for advice here.

Great Heywood. Same as Penkridge.

Stone-The Swan Inn, The Star Inn & JDWs plus whatever anyone can recommend.

These overnight stops are pretty much where we want to be each night but there is one spare night to allow for hold ups or if the occasion arises somewhere to stay 2 nights, we like the look of somewhere not listed or God forbid a night without the beer if the kidneys are yelping.

I know some of these areas are a bit off the beaten track but please feel free to recommend any pubs which are worth a visit if you are familiar with the places we will be travelling too.

I've done the 4 counties ring twice including the detour up to Llangollen so I'll get my thinking hat on and get back to you. :cheers: Don't miss The Anchor though, it's a classic.

Crossste
03-07-2010, 19:12
I've done the 4 counties ring twice including the detour up to Llangollen so I'll get my thinking hat on and get back to you. :cheers: Don't miss The Anchor though, it's a classic.

Cheers Rob. Funnily enough the last time we did the Four Counties we set off from Ellsemere half way up the Llangollen.

Oggwyn Trench
03-07-2010, 22:50
In Market Drayton try the Red Lion , its the Joules Brewery HQ , around the square are around 12 pubs all about 2 mins from each other , better still jump in a taxi (or moor up nearer, Goldstone Wharf maybe?) and go 5 mins down the road to Cheswardine , 2 pubs , the Fox and Hounds is Joules brewery , recently restored and highly rated , the other is the Red Lion home of Lions Tail Brewery a real gem of a pub . A bit further out is the 3 Horseshoes at Sambrook another hidden gem .

RogerB
03-07-2010, 23:54
I know little of the pubs en route but it sounds like it will be a fantastic fortnight.:cheers:

trainman
04-07-2010, 12:57
At Audlem, you'll be 5 miles from my current national number one unvisited random mission pub - The Bhurtpore Inn (Aston), closer still if you stop anywhere North of there...

And, if you ended up there with a bit of slack in the schedule, a 25min train to Yorton's Railway sounds like it would be rewarding too. (nb request stops...)

Oggwyn Trench
04-07-2010, 19:26
At Audlem, you'll be 5 miles from my current national number one unvisited random mission pub - The Bhurtpore Inn (Aston), closer still if you stop anywhere North of there...

And, if you ended up there with a bit of slack in the schedule, a 25min train to Yorton's Railway sounds like it would be rewarding too. (nb request stops...)

The Bhurtpore is a cracker and well worth a visit though its a fair old trek to the railway station(Wrenbury) down country lanes with no footpaths , half way between Audlem and Aston is the Combemere Arms at Burleydam another very good pub.
In Audlem recent reports say that the Shroppiefly has gone downhill , the Bridge is now very foody with a large conservatory dining room extension

gillhalfpint
04-07-2010, 20:05
When we do the Bhurtpore beer festivals we take the caravan and pitch on the site behind the Cotton Arms alongside the canal, and walk down to the Bhurtpore. There is also a pub opposite called the Dusty Miller on the canalside. It is a Robinsons pub, and we had Chocolate Tom there last time we went. Upset the locals by winning the quiz in Cotton Arms.

As you walk down there is a Workmans Club that sold real ale too.

ROBCamra
07-07-2010, 09:50
First thoughts in no particular order.

Barbridge – The Olde Barbridge Inn is pretty much canalside and is a bit foody, we’ve eaten there a couple of times, they used to have a couple of real ales on. But, there is a rumour that it’s closed down recently. See http://www.justcanals.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=4968 . The Jolly Tar used to be more of a drinkers pub, with a bit of a biker thing going on. It’s about ½ a mile away from the Olde Barbridge Inn.

Audlem – Don’t moor up outside the Shroppie Fly, it can get a bit raucous especially at weekend. Depending on which way you’re going there’s a decent bit of mooring 2 or 3 locks up (or 2 or 3 from the bottom) of the Audlem flight. The Fly is still worth a visit though to look at the bar made from an old narrowboat, it sells the real stuff but it’s a bit touristy.

The Bridge used to be a traditional pub with a table football etc. It’s had a serious refurbishment in the last year and we haven’t been since. It’s definitely more foody though.

The Lord Combermere is a traditional village local just down the road. Worth a look.

Coven – not on your list but there’s a decent canalside pub called the Rainbow if you want a swift pint or something to eat on the way past.

Willeymoor Lock – also not on your list. Near Whitchurch, but by canal it’s very isolated. There’s nothing pubwise in either direction for about 3 hours by boat. It sells good food and has a good range of ales often with a couple from nearby Titanic. If it’s getting late then stop here and have a good session, we did. :drinkup::drinkup:

More thoughts to follow on Penkridge, Brewood etc if you're interested.

Oggwyn Trench
07-07-2010, 18:15
I was in the Willeymoor a few days ago and was shocked to see GK IPA and Abbot Ale as i walked through the door , i was relieved when i walked round the corner to see Boggarts , Spitting Feathers and Oakham beers on , Graham the landlord says GK are so desperate for sales they are virtually giving him the beer

The Olde Barbridge was open a few weeks ago

Crossste
07-07-2010, 19:17
Thanks for the replies.

Oggwyn Trench. I am going to try to work Cheswardine into the itinerary. The two pubs seem well worth visiting.

Rob. I would appreciate any advice on Penkridge, Brewood, Grt Haywood or Stone.

Agree with the comment about the Willeymoor we have previously enjoyed a couple of nights there in the past. Unfortunately we are not going up the Llangollen this time.

Oggwyn Trench
07-07-2010, 22:06
Keep meaning to get up to Cheswardine myself , but theres no public transport from here and if i drive i can only have a pint , the Fox And Hounds has a good rep for food and beer , Graham from Willeymoor reckons the beer in the Red Lion is fantastic and wants some for his own pub , but they wont sell him any ! The Wharf Tavren at Goldstone Wharf is a popular pub for food , not sure about the beer not been for ages

gillhalfpint
08-07-2010, 10:18
We did the Red Lion at Cheswardine at a caravan rally as they have a site behind the pub. Hitched a lift to Market Drayton on a Narrow Boat and had a fantastic trip with an elderly couple who used to work the barges and showed us some wonderful 0ld photo albums of their working days.

ROBCamra
08-07-2010, 13:52
Second thoughts.....

Penkridge – The Boat Inn is actually on the canal with a load of seating canalside. The beer is generally from the nationals and because of its position it gets very touristy. There’s a good bit of mooring above the lock in Penkridge which means you won’t have a load of grockles or gongoozlers sat watching your every move from the pub seating. If you do moor above there’s a tunnel that takes you down past the lock that is full of bats!!

The Star is on the Market Place in the village centre. Marstons pub with a decent range of ale. This one is a proper local when the tourists have all gone.

If you carry on towards the railway station you’ll come to The Littleton Arms which is a huge foody pub on the main Wolves road A449. Sell decent beer though on several handpulls.

Just up the road is The Railway Inn which is a typical roadhouse doing decent beer from the nationals.

There are more pubs in Penkridge but I haven’t visited them.

Oggwyn Trench
11-07-2010, 10:26
Talking to a Stafford CAMRA member last night and he recomended The Swan at Whiston just outside Penkridge

Bucking Fastard
23-07-2010, 16:39
Only just caught this thread,so hope this gets through before you start cruising.If you like good ale.....

Stone try both the The Swan and The Royal Exchange.
Stoke moor up at Glebe bridge and visit The White Star.
Consall Forge Black Lion is wonderful.
Kidsgrove Blue Bell
High Offley The Anchor is a case of the emporers clothes IMHO.Awful 6x from a handpump that doesnt work and pints topped up from slops in a plasic flask but all other boaters rave about the place.Large campsite nearby.I couldnt find any positives so didnt review on here.
Brewood The Bridge Inn
Radford Bridge moor up here ,avoid the Radford Bank Inn and walk 1/2 mile towards Stafford to The Spittal Brook .

I've just navigated From Macclesfield to Stone and am moored up below Stone bottom lock until August 2nd and will have passed Great Haywood that afternoon on my way down the T&M enroute for Coventry.Working not boating until Aug 2nd sadly.

Enjoy your trip ,good luck on the beer front .

BF

Crossste
04-08-2010, 17:59
Hi again everyone. Got back on Saturday. Fed up? You bet i am. Apart from the route i had originally posted we also managed to do a little extra by heading down towards, but unfortunately not reaching, Kinver. I took my lappy and newly acquired T-mobile dongle on the trip with the hope of putting up a few reviews on the main site as we went along but at the few places where i could get a connection i was not able to access the main site due to T-mobiles content lock and the pages on the forum were so slow to load i gave up. Now i,m home if someone can point me to the ultra-idiots guide to posting reviews and adding new listings it would be much appreciated.

Found some great pubs, some superb beers and one or two ordinary ones. Rather than boil my cabbages twice i will post reviews when i find out how.

A few of the beery highlights were the Black Lion at Consall Forge both for the pub itself and its location plus on the night we were there it was the last night of its beer festival. Shucks! The Blue Bell at Kidsgrove was everything it promised to be and is well worth a visit. A good find was the Commercial Hotel at Wheelock which is a well lived in, unaltered public bar in, i presume, a hotel although i could see no evidence of it being still a hotel.

Sadly i find myself agreeing with Bucking F in the above post regarding the beer in the Anchor, High Offley although the pub itself is worth a visit.

We spent our last night in Stone doing the excellent Royal Exchange and the Swan, later finding ourselves, worse for wear, in JDWs Poste of Stone eating three £3 meals between the two of us. All round a good 16 day pub crawl, including farewell and we,re back drink in the local.

Bucking F. I think we may have been in Blue Bell on the same night (i am presuming you are travelling around with Thuck Phat). We were in on Tuesday 20th and the same beers were available as in TPs review on the main site.

Conrad
04-08-2010, 19:04
Now i,m home if someone can point me to the ultra-idiots guide to posting reviews and adding new listings it would be much appreciated.

To review, you will need to be logged into the main site, then find the pub. The quickest way is usually to post the name and town into the search (or postcode if you know it), so Black Lion Stoke (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/search.php?search=black+lion+stoke) gives you a fairly good set with the top one being the one you are looking for. Once there click on the 'Add review' button to the right of the reviews heading. If you want to leave a rating click on one of the circled numbers, and submit the review by clicking the 'submit' button when done.

To add pubs click on the 'Add pub' link at the top of most pages on the site. You will need to know the postcode (frequently found on www.yell.co.uk or the www.royalmail.co.uk) to add pubs.