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trainman
30-01-2011, 11:44
Plans afoot for imminent visit to an area completely new to me.
Definitely on map, and I know we are missing some which sound brilliant (Park Inn, Jolly Crispin, Mount Pleasant, Black Bear) but time is a factor, are: Great Western (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/), Beacon Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38292/), Britannia (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38294/), Crooked House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38309/) (for novelty), Ma Pardoes (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/53681/), Bull&Bladder (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38031/).

Now, I reckon train Brum-Wolvo (Grt Western) then Wolvo-Coseley, from where most seem within 3-4 miles, except Vine (6m). I'm gonna check possible bus connections but, where a taxi is needed, can any of you local afficianados advise whether we'll find a people carrier (6 passengers) & how much it might be for, say, a 3 mile trip?

Cheers, tm.

rpadam
30-01-2011, 15:12
Plans afoot for imminent visit to an area completely new to me.
Definitely on map, and I know we are missing some which sound brilliant (Park Inn, Jolly Crispin, Mount Pleasant, Black Bear) but time is a factor, are: Great Western (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/), Beacon Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38292/), Britannia (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38294/), Crooked House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38309/) (for novelty), Ma Pardoes (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/53681/), Bull&Bladder (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38031/).

Now, I reckon train Brum-Wolvo (Grt Western) then Wolvo-Coseley, from where most seem within 3-4 miles, except Vine (6m). I'm gonna check possible bus connections but, where a taxi is needed, can any of you local afficianados advise whether we'll find a people carrier (6 passengers) & how much it might be for, say, a 3 mile trip?

Cheers, tm.
If travelling to and/or from there by train, a PlusBus West Midlands day ticket at £2.50 would be very hard to beat for value.

trainman
30-01-2011, 18:45
If travelling to and/or from there by train, a PlusBus West Midlands day ticket at £2.50 would be very hard to beat for value.

Yes, I added plusbus to my Lon-B'ham tickets, but think I should have added to the Wolverhampton leg, looking at the map areas covered.
I'll try & jib it anyway, the Brum map includes Dudley... I'll tell 'em rp advised it was good for the entire West Midlands!

rpadam
30-01-2011, 19:38
Yes, I added plusbus to my Lon-B'ham tickets, but think I should have added to the Wolverhampton leg, looking at the map areas covered.
I'll try & jib it anyway, the Brum map includes Dudley... I'll tell 'em rp advised it was good for the entire West Midlands!
You should be OK - the 'zone' maps are a bit misleading as the shading goes off the edge. If your ticket destination includes +BUSWM then it should be accepted in all zones (and on the Midland Metro between Brum and Wolverhampton).

trainman
30-01-2011, 22:23
You should be OK - the 'zone' maps are a bit misleading as the shading goes off the edge. If your ticket destination includes +BUSWM then it should be accepted in all zones (and on the Midland Metro between Brum and Wolverhampton).
Unusually, it's printed on a separate voucher (from train tkt) and reads 'Birmingham stations & Birmingham + plusbus', so may depend on how jobsworthy the Coseley area bus drivers are...

rpadam
30-01-2011, 22:40
Unusually, it's printed on a separate voucher (from train tkt) and reads 'Birmingham stations & Birmingham + plusbus', so may depend on how jobsworthy the Coseley area bus drivers are...
Perhaps this will set your mind at rest (as it is all one big 'West Midlands' zone really)!
http://www.plusbus.info/sites/default/files/pdfs/West%20Midlands%20zone%20boundary%20points.pdf

trainman
31-01-2011, 08:07
Ah, but...

"Birmingham Plusbus £2.20 (now £2.50)- covers all of Birmingham city, extending as far as Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham International Airport, Solihull, Bournville, Dudley and West Bromwich. Valid on many bus operators and West Midlands Metro. Also valid from Erdington, Five Ways, Jewellery Quarter, Lea Hall, Perry Barr, The Hawthorns and Yardley Wood stations, as well as Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham International".

Andy Ven
31-01-2011, 18:43
For bus journey planning use this site http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/bus/busindex.aspx. You might as well book a taxi for the bits that are awkward by bus - the bar staff should have a phone number

You could give Richard a call to hire him and his minibus for the day. http://forums.pubsgalore.co.uk/showthread.php?2141-Black-Country-Pub-Crawls I tried a similar route by public transport last February with mixed success. You might be able to talk Richard into taking you for £15 a head - more money but a better use of time.

May I add that my November visit to the Crooked House was a big disappointment. Sour MILD ! Otherwise some excellent pubs and you need to do the best of the Black Country in a series of one day visits.

rpadam
31-01-2011, 19:59
Ah, but...

"Birmingham Plusbus £2.20 (now £2.50)- covers all of Birmingham city, extending as far as Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham International Airport, Solihull, Bournville, Dudley and West Bromwich. Valid on many bus operators and West Midlands Metro. Also valid from Erdington, Five Ways, Jewellery Quarter, Lea Hall, Perry Barr, The Hawthorns and Yardley Wood stations, as well as Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham International".
One more go...

If you look at the Birmingham PlusBus webpage:

http://www.plusbus.info/birmingham-plusbus-west-midlands

you will see that it states "A Birmingham PLUSBUS ticket gives bus travel throughout the West Midlands area. Your origin OR destination rail station MUST be outside the 'network west midlands' area in order to buy a Birmingham PLUSBUS ticket."

Same for Coventry, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, Wolverhampton, etc.

Really, it's fine!

PaulOfHorsham
31-01-2011, 21:44
And, on a related theme, it's been brought to my attention that London Midland's Great Escape is back for half-term! Sorry - no hyperlink yet (I have looked).

Delboy20
31-01-2011, 22:28
Plans afoot for imminent visit to an area completely new to me.
Definitely on map, and I know we are missing some which sound brilliant (Park Inn, Jolly Crispin, Mount Pleasant, Black Bear) but time is a factor, are: Great Western (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/), Beacon Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38292/), Britannia (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38294/), Crooked House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38309/) (for novelty), Ma Pardoes (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/53681/), Bull&Bladder (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38031/).

Now, I reckon train Brum-Wolvo (Grt Western) then Wolvo-Coseley, from where most seem within 3-4 miles, except Vine (6m). I'm gonna check possible bus connections but, where a taxi is needed, can any of you local afficianados advise whether we'll find a people carrier (6 passengers) & how much it might be for, say, a 3 mile trip?

Cheers, tm.

Great choice of pubs but a bit spread out for a crawl using public transport alone. Pardoes is only on one bus route - the 243/244 from Dudley to Merry Hill.
The Bull & Bladder is relatively close to Merry Hill - about a 10 min walk and it is the start of the " Delph run"
The Crooked House is a quirky and unique pub. Well worth a visit but really out of the way.

Most of the local taxi firms round here have a couple of people carriers but make sure you specifically ask for one or they will send the usual old knacker !

Might I just add that if you are going in the Britannia it seems a shame not to visit the Jolly Crispin which is just up the road.

The Black Country has a lot of good pubs ( and loads of average ones ) spread over a large area - I suggest that you stay for a week or so to do it justice !!!

trainman
01-02-2011, 05:44
...London Midland's Great Escape is back for half-term

When's that?

trainman
01-02-2011, 05:54
...if you are going in the Britannia it seems a shame not to visit the Jolly Crispin which is just up the road.


Thanks Del, and rp & Andy.
It's not 'my' trip, so I'm just looking at logistics, but I did notice that some options I added were within walking distance, whereas the core list were individually located. I'll try to get JC added to the list!

trainman
02-02-2011, 10:48
And, on a related theme, it's been brought to my attention that London Midland's Great Escape is back for half-term! Sorry - no hyperlink yet (I have looked).

http://www.londonmidland.com/destinations/great-escape/?=

I should try to use this, this year...

trainman
02-02-2011, 16:14
Great Western (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/39188/), Beacon Hotel (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38292/), Britannia (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38294/), Crooked House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38309/) (for novelty), Ma Pardoes (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/53681/), Bull&Bladder (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/38031/).

I notice Beacon is closed 15:00-18:00, even Saturday. Any others above which may carry such a warning...?

PaulOfHorsham
02-02-2011, 20:15
http://www.londonmidland.com/destinations/great-escape/?=

I should try to use this, this year...

I'm thinking about it too, although it makes for a long day out (2h 15m from Euston to Birmingham). And we get three weekends to choose from this time around.

Oggwyn Trench
02-02-2011, 20:50
I really ought to have a wander around Wolvo , Dudley etc , not been for years and its right on my doorstep , Telford to Wolverhampton is only £6.80 return , though first class the quote is £999998 :eek: which is a tad expensive for a 17 minute journey :D

trainman
11-02-2011, 19:18
Tomorrow's plan is for a sharpener in Wellington, then metro to West Bromwich, car hire to get us round Old Swan, Bull&Bladder, Crooked House & Britannia. Walk to Jolly Crispin, bus to Beacon Hotel, bus to Great Western, metro back to Brum (fingers crossed for plusbus acceptability). Thanks ROBC for that review note on accessing GW - I was thinking it looked a bit tricky on google satellite!

For the London Midland Great Escape, I thought I may try Rugby (Alexandra, Merchants, Victoria), stopping on return at Northampton (for Malt Shovel, Racehorse, Romany).

trainman
13-02-2011, 11:27
One more go...PlusBus....Really, it's fine!

And it was, thanks rp, excellent value. It wouldn't have covered the quicker train back to Brum from Wolvo but time was tight & we managed to jib it.

Splendid day around the Black Country's finest, and how refreshing for a 7-pint round to regularly come in around the £16.. mark, and everything in the Bull&Bladder's display case (fine pies & large rolls) at just £1each.
Only minor setback was that the chippy opposite the Beacon was closed, so I have still to sample the delights of 'orange chips'.
It was a 12 or 13 pint day so I didn't bother with note-taking; others here have already recorded fine descriptions of the places visited.

an_ecumenical_matter
15-02-2011, 17:45
PUBLIC TRANSPORT BLACK COUNTRY CRAWL

Saturday 19th March 2011

Meet at the Jolly Crispin (Free), Upper Gornal at 1100 then a quick walk down the hill to the Britannia (Bathams)

Dep Upper Gornal: 1310 (Rte 558)
Arr Dudley 1322

Choice of the newly opened Fellows (Holdens), Courthouse (Black Country Ales) or the Lamp Tavern (Bathams)

Dep Dudley 1517 (Rte 243)
Arr Netherton 1527

Old Swan (Ma Pardoes)

Dep Netherton 1626 (Rte 243)
Arr Quarry Bank 1654

Option here to do the Church Tavern (Brains) and the Bull and Bladder (Bathams) which is a 5-10 minutes walk from the Church

Dep Quarry Bank 1843 (Rte 222)
Arr Cradley Heath Town 1852

Swan Inn (Holdens) behind Tesco

Dep Cradley Heath 1957 (Rte 141)
Arr Blackheath 2013

Malt Shovel (Brains)

Dep Blackheath 2108 (Rte 404)
Arr Oldbury 2125

Waggon & Horses (Brains)

Five minute walk to Sandwell & Dudley station to catch the 2213 train to Wolverhampton (arr 2224)

NOTE: All the Brains pubs listed don’t normally sell Brains beers but stock a good selection of guests

************************************************** ************************************************** **************
At the start the 558 will get you from Wolves to the Jolly Crispin. And for the brave £29 rooms are available in the Wolverhampton Travelodge that night.

Soup Dragon
15-02-2011, 19:51
Keep me posted on this one, FJ

rpadam
18-02-2011, 23:40
Keep me posted on this one, FJ
Unfortunately, London Midland's 'Great Escape' £10 offer only runs between tomorrow and 6 March 2011, so anybody thinking of visiting the Black Country a bit sooner?

PaulOfHorsham
19-02-2011, 20:16
Well, I'm definitely considering taking up London Midland on their Great Escape offer - it'd be 5th March if I do, as that would give the greatest amount of daylight.

Considerations are (ticket availability apart): weather - don't really fancy traipsing around in the rain; cancellations - LM are having a bit of ASLEF-bother at the moment, although things seem fairly good for this coming week (http://www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/potential-disruption-to-services/alterations-on-21-feb-2011/).

As for places to go, I've been looking at Stourbridge (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/towns/stourbridge/west-midlands/) & Kidderminster (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/towns/kidderminster/worcestershire/), with Rowley Regis (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/towns/rowley-regis/west-midlands/) & Droitwich (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/towns/droitwich/worcestershire/) (or, possibly, Worcester (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/towns/worcester/worcestershire/) again) as stops en-route.

I'm sure the Pubs Galore 'community' can point me in the right directions.