A Victorian pub set by the Shropshire Union Canal in a very isolated rural location. It has two small rooms – a bar with old, high-backed settles on the right and a lounge on the left which is a tribute to 1950s formica. The only cask beer available is Wadworth’s 6X, served from a handpump but topped up from a jug. The pub is, not surprisingly, packed with canal memorabilia. It has a spacious beer garden with plenty of seating and comes into its own on sunny summer weekend lunchtimes. Opening hours in winter may be limited.
I visited there last year on our canal boat. I've uploaded some photos I took onto Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/24045592@N02/) They don't quite show the interior as well as I would've liked. We chatted with the landlady who moved there, from Birmingham, about 40 years ago with her late husband to run the pub. The clock dates from about the time the pub was built and is an original feature! (How many places can say that?) And...they do food...a sandwich made freshly with whatever happens to be in the fridge!
ReplyDeleteIf this pub was in Northumberland or West Wales it would attract much more attention nationally. Compared to some of the remaining "parlour" pubs, which this is close to in feel, the beer is much superior. The pub a mile or so away in Knighton was very good as well.
ReplyDeleteI assume you mean the Haberdashers' Arms, Martin, which I have also visited. It's also very characterful and unspoiled, but struck me in a way as just plain odd. Considering how near it is to Stafford and the Potteries conurbation, that area is remarkably unspoilt and remote-feeling.
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