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Pub Guide |
Worcestershire |
| As my base for
exploring Worcestershire is Bewdley, on the northern border of the
county, most, if not all the pubs I try will be in that area. Martson's and Banks's pubs: Back in the 1980s, Banks's and (especially) Marston's pubs and ales were a guarantee of a superb pint and usually something interesting in a pub. Unfortunately in the last few years, this is no longer the case. All the Marston's/Banks's pubs I have tried recently serve the beer much too cold and also squeeze it through a much-too-tight sparkler which destroys the taste and makes the beers these pubs sell (often quite an interesting selection) all taste rather "samey" and often bland. It is a great pity and for this reason, I generally avoid these pubs, though I do occasionally try them just in case there are any which buck the trend. I would love to try some Banks's or Marston's beers at an independent pub or from the barrel (e.g. at a beer festival) just to find out if they are still as good as they used to be. Page last updated: April 04, 2010 |
| Pub Details | Photographs (click to enlarge) |
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Abberley - The Manor Arms WR6 6BN, Tel: 01299 896507; website A 16th century coaching inn and hotel. The public lounge is very inviting with some comfy armchairs by the huge fireplace. The list of meals on the blackboard is available Tuesday to Saturday for the amazing price of £2.99 (until end November 2009 - start again January 2010). Beer: Wye Valley HPA and Best Bitter;
Taylor's Landlord; Fuller's London Pride.
Excellent
Last Visited: October 27th, 2009 |
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Arley
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The Harbour Inn DY12 3NF ; Tel: 01299 401 204; website Next to Arley station on the Severn Valley Railway, also very close to the River Severn. Pleasant, friendly and cosy. Comfy chairs by the fireplace, often with a real fire blazing. The piped 70s music was a bit too loud and a little obtrusive. A pity: otherwise a very nice pub.
Beer:
Wye Valley Harbour Inn
Ale. Superb beer, kept very nicely.
£2.50 pt Visited: October 13th, 2009 |
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Belbroughton
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The Bell Inn (Bell End) DY9 9XU ; Tel: 01562 731 928; website Large 16th century inn on the main A491 between Hagley and Lydiate Ash. Part of the Vintage Inns group and as you'd expect, the main focus is on eating rather than drinking.
Beer:
2 ales
generally available. Visited: November 5th, 2009 |
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Belbroughton
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The Talbot Inn DY9 9TG ; Tel: 01562 730 249 Large Comfortable pub at the centre of Belbroughton with good car parking. Good open fire in colder months.
Beer:
Black Sheep bitter; Marston's
Pedigree; Jennings ales (Marston's portfolio). Generally served rather
cold and through over-tight sparkler, making the beer rather bland and
frothy. The Black Sheep ale was good, though.
Unimpressive
generally. Visited: October 20th, 2009 |
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Belbroughton
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Ye Olde Horseshoe Inn DY9 9ST ; Tel: 01562 730 233; website Small pub at the heart of Belbroughton. Intimate and friendly.
Beer:
Taylor's Landlord; Enville ale.
Excellent
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Bewdley
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The Black Boy DY12 2UE ; Tel: 01299 403 523 Not to be confused with the Black Boy Hotel on the Kidderminster Road in Bewdley. This one is to be found up the very steep Wyre Hill road. A lovely old pub with a friendly atmosphere, an enthusiastic landlord and a quiet unspoiled garden. Parking is difficult, so you may have to park in the town and trudge up the hill. A good thirst is guaranteed by doing this! Lovely pub, but unfortunately a Banks's/Marston's one (see my comment at the top of the page).
Beer:
Banks's Bitter, Original; Marston's
Pedigree; guest ale (from Marston's portfolio) Visited: August 8th, 2009 |
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Bewdley
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The Great Western DY12 1BY; Tel: 01299 405 304 An unspoilt friendly locals pub next to the railway bridge on the Kidderminster road. It does have functions nights (e.g. karaoke) to attend or avoid depending on your needs! The piped 80s pop music was a little annoying.
Beer:
Bewdley Worcestershire Way -
excellent |
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Bewdley
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The Little Pack Horse DY12 2DH; Tel: 01299 403 762; website A small, cosy 15th century pub on the old High Street. It serves excellent home-cooked food at a good price and a varied selection of well-kept ales. Can get very busy, so you may have to book for food, especially in the evenings and on Sundays.
Beer: Black Sheep best bitter; guest beers.
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Bewdley
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The Mug House DY12 2EE; Tel: 01299 402 543; website Well-appointed old pub on the riverside; very popular, good atmosphere and seating on the promenade overlooking the river. The pub serves varied styles of food, from snacks to full restaurant meals (the latter in "The Angry Chef"). Beware of short measures here - you will most likely need to ask for a top-up on your pint.
Beer:
3 or 4 ales, usually from local breweries. Kept quite well. |
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Bewdley
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The Old Waggon And Horses DY12 1DG; Tel: 01299 403 270; website Unspoiled comfortable pub on the Kidderminster Road.
Beer:
3-4 ales: Banks Bitter & Mild (always on); Batham's Bitter (excellent)
Berrow Topsy Turvey (guest ale?) Visited: November 24th, 2009 |
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Bewdley
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The Running Horse DY12 2QP; Tel: 01299 402 161 Large pub on the A456 Tenbury Road out of Bewdley. The pub is geared up mainly for eating (it's a Chef & Brewer), though there is a drinkers' area set aside.
Beer:
2 ales on when I visited: Hobson's Town Crier; Newman's Wolvers Ale.
Both excellent Visited: November 3rd, 2009 |
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Bewdley
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The Woodcolliers DY12 2AU; Tel 01299 400 589; website Distinctive corner pub at the bottom of Wyre Hill. The pub is comfortable and bigger than you'd expect inside. However, it is very cosy and friendly; Nice log fire in winter. Beer: Varied selection of 2 or 3 ales,
usually from small and/or local breweries. Generally kept excellently. visited: November 21, 2009; January 9, 2010 |
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Button Oak
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The Button Oak Inn DY12 3AQ; Tel 01299 400 248 Distinctive small pub in the village on the B4194 through the Wyre Forest. Inside it is quite small and on the occasion I visited, there was loud rock music being piped in. Two huge loudspeakers in the big fireplace tend to spoil the look of the room.
Beer:
Timothy Taylor Landlord.
Very good. |
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Caunsall
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The Anchor Inn DY11 5YL; Tel 01562 8509 254; website Small, friendly, cosy pub. Very popular and I guess many of the people are regulars. Well-known for the quality of their ales and filling cobs. In 2010 Good Beer Guide.
Beer:
Hobson's Best Bitter & Town Crier.
Excellent.
Guest beers available occasionally (not on my visit). |
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Chaddesley Corbett
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The Swan DY10 4SD; Tel 01562 777 302; Traditional 17th century pub with pleasant garden and impressive lounge bar. Occasional barbeques in Summer. The Bathams beer is superb.
Beer:
Bathams beers; bitter & Mild - all
excellent. (£2.10 a pint on
20/1/10) visited: May 30th, 2009; January 20, 2010 |
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Chaddesley Corbett
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The Talbot DY9 9TG; Tel 01562 730 249 website 16th century black-and-white timbered inn opposite the church. Cosy, comfortable and freindly inside with a good selection of ales and food. Note: this is a Banks's/Marston's pub (and you know what I think of those beers). However, the guest ales (from the Marston's portfolio) are very well looked after and served.
Beer:
Banks's bitter and mild (standard) Guests: visited: May 30th, 2009; January 20, 2010. |
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Clows Top
- The Colliers Arms
DY14 9HA; Tel: 01299 832 242; website Actually situated about a mile out of the village, on the main A456 towards Bewdley. An attractive pub in a beautiful setting, the food is home-cooked using local produce. It is very tasty; however, it is a little pricey as you pay £2 extra for each portion of vegetables. There is a 'specials' board, but there was very little on it on my visit. The beer is also from local breweries.
Beer:
Hobsons bitter; Shires' Dabley Ale (Madeley, Salop) (guest ale).
Excellent; Price for 2 pints: £5.10 Visited: October 3rd, 2009; January 16, 2010 |
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Dodford
- The Dodford Inn B61 9BG; Tel: 01527 575 815; website Described as "The Pub In The Field", The Dodford Inn is a classic country pub, recently re-opened, but having changed little for many years. The photo really doesn't show it's best side as the pub has marvellous views over the countryside and an attractive pub garden with picnic-style table/benches. An interesting selection of food is available and the beer is excellent too.
Beer: A changing selection;
3 to 4 ales usually available, kept very well. Visited: August 18th, 2009 |
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Far Forest
- The Plough Inn DY14 9TE; Tel: 01299 266 237; website Comfortable country pub concentrating largely on food, especially its carveries. However, there is a cosy comfortable lounge put aside for those who just want a quiet drink.
Beer: Wye Valley HPA - very
good. (pub is in Good Beer Guide 2010) Visited: September, 2009 |
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Kidderminster
- The King And Castle DY10 1QX; Tel: 01562 747 505 This is the converted waiting room at the Severn Valley Railway station in Kidderminster. It has an opulent, Edwardian feel and is very friendly and is obviously a regular meeting place for many people. The beer is top-class in quality. Parking is limited and beware that they lock the gates to the station car park at 8pm in the evening.
Beer:
Bathams bitter; Hobson's Mild; Wyre Piddle Royal Piddle (brewed
specially for this pub and on sale at an incredible £1.85 pint).
all excellent. Visited: December 2nd, 2009 |
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Newnham Bridge
- The Talbot Inn WR15 8JF; Tel: 01584 781 355; website Comfortable hotel styled pub, family run. Accomodation.
Beer:
Hobson's Bitter, Mild; Wye Valley HPA.
Excellent (only tried the mild). Visited: October 27th, 2009 |
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Noutard's Green (Shrawley)
- The New Inn WR6 6TE; Tel: 01299 822 701; website Dating from the early 19th century, this has a traditional unspoilt feel about it, friendly and with a real fire. It is a free house.
Beer:
Robinsons' s Mr. Scrooge (very
good); Mansfield Cask Ale (Very
Good); Old Speckled Hen;
Banks's Bitter. Served a bit too cold and rather over-sparkled in the
Marstons/Banks's pubs style. |
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Pensax
- The Bell WR6 6AE; Tel: 01299 896 677; website The pub is actually on the main road (B4202), some miles from Pensax. This is a classic country pub with marvellous views over the Worcestershire countryside. Inside, the pub is traditional and welcoming. A Mecca for real ales enthusiasts as there is always a number of interesting ales on tap (usually 6), always in excellent condition. The pub has won a number of awards for its ales. Food is available too. (Pub closed on Mondays)
Beer: various and
ever-changing selection including Hobson's ales. Also Weston's real
cider & Perry.
Always excellent. |
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Pound Green
- Ye Olde New Inn DY12 3LF; Tel: 01299 401 271; website Very nice 17th century pub on the road from Button Oak to the River at Arley. Inside it is quite big, but quite "nooky". Comfy seating by a real log file made this the sort of pub you don't want to leave. Food can be served in the separate restaurant or in the bar and lounge areas.
Beer: Hobson's
bitter; Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody Golden ale. Both
very good.
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Rock
- The Rock Cross Inn DY14 9SD; Tel: 01299 832 533 Cosy friendly pub on the crossroads in the village.
Beer:
Hobson's Bitter and Twisted Spire; Bewdley Worcester Way; Robinson's
Wags To Witches.
All excellent.
Prices very competitive at £2.30 pt for the local beers (3/11/09). Suspect
Hobson's is a fixture. |
![]() Picture 1: Lounge bar; picture 2: The Dining area. |
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Shatterford
- The Bellman's Cross Inn DY12 1RN; Tel: 01299 861 322 Attractive and comfortable pub with the emphasis on food rather than drink. Seems to be a Marston's pub, based on the beer choice.
Beer:
Banks's bitter, Jennings Cumberland Ale. (bland, cold & frothy) |
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Tenbury Wells
- The Peacock Inn (Boraston) WR15 8LZ; Tel: 01584 810 506 A genuine ancient inn (i.e. a place you can stay). There seems to be a bar and a small lounge, though the latter is geared up mainly for eating. The food looked good and was probably homecooked. Three handpulls, but only one beer available on my visit. Unfortunately, the beer was sour and harsh, obviously well past it's best and the "background music" was over-obtrusive and unpleasant. I may have been unlucky, but I'm not likely to return here.
Beer:
Hobson's Bitter (poor) |
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Tenbury Wells
- The Pembroke House WR15 8EQ; Tel: 01584 810 301 Attractive, 16th century timbered building at the south end of the town. The pub has a friendly feel as soon as you walk in. The bar / lounge area is not big, though there may be other rooms (there is a separate dining room). The beer was excellent as was the food, which is cooked to order by the owner / landlord who is also a chef.
Beer:
Hobson's Bitter; guest ale (Green King IPA) (both
excellent) |
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Tenbury Wells
- The Ship Inn WR15 8AE; Tel: 01584 810 269; website !6th century pub in the High Street of town. Pleasant pub with a food emphasis, hence only a small drinker's area.
Beer:
Hobson's Bitter (not tried); Wye Valley Butty Bach (excellent) |
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Uphampton
- The Fruiterers Arms WR9 0JW; Tel: 01905 620 305; website Home of the Cannon Royall Brewery, this pub serves all of the brewery's range (5 different when I last visited) starting at less than £2 a pint (15/12/09). The beers are excellent (and well-kept of course). The pub is friendly and cosy (with a real wood-burning fire).
Beer:
Full range of Cannon Royall beers, some available in bottles as well. The
Christmas ale (Marley's Ghost) is totally gorgeous.
Excellent |
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Wolverley
- The Queen's Head DY11 5XB; Tel: 01562 850 433; website Attractive pub in a picture-postcard village. This is a Marston's pub (see my comments at the top of the page). Beer: Banks' Bitter; Jenning's Redbreast (vey good) Food: not tried, but good choice with traditional unpretentious menu available Last visited: December 23th 2009 |
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