Berkswell and Balsall Common

2026 has proven to be a very sociable year thus far so my usual habit of staging solo adventures has taken something of a back seat. A spare Saturday at the very end of February does however see me venturing out on my own, casting a Solihull spotlight upon the neighbouring villages of Berkswell and Balsall Common...

- Berkswell Station -

Trip Log: Saturday 28th February 2026 and I've not set foot in either of my target locations for several years. Berkswell Station hasn't changed much since I last saw it although I can't help remembering the days when it had platform awnings, a station house and a level crossing - the current brick bunker seems sadly soulless by comparison with just a small hatch window for dispensing tickets to would-be passengers. The Coventry-bound platform is flanked by the many pools of Lavender Hall Fisheries which perhaps look even more watery than usual after heavy rain yesterday evening and overnight. Taking time to get my bearings again, I realise that the Railway Inn is all boarded up so I might have to rethink my pub plans for the day; it always struck me as a traditional homely boozer with lots of train memorabilia on display.

- HS2 Works at Berkswell -

I was already aware that Berkswell lay in the path of the HS2 works but to see construction up close really does confirm how mammoth a project this is. Ominous rafts of concrete masonry have been slotted into position while a long tranche gouges its way through the landscape, just about bypassing the aforementioned pools. Road closure signs abound as I take Baulk Lane, seeing how the earthen ribbon of cleared ground streaks off way into the distance. Litter pickers and horse riders offer company as I head up past Ram Hall, noting sheepy fragrances and hurdling the occasional overflowing puddle. Emerging onto Spencers Lane with sprouting crocuses on the waterlogged verges, I soon reach Berkswell village centre where Coventry Road intersects with Lavender Hall Lane. Chocolate box cottages and a telephone box repurposed as a book exchange suggest this is a place that will suit me very nicely.

- Brown Beer at the Bear -

I've earned a drink and in keeping with the adjacent architecture, the Bear Inn is a stunning olde worlde rambling proposition operating under Greene King's Chef & Brewer division. Old steps lead to a protruding porch of flagstone flooring then the main interior has cosy nooks for dining and drinking, not forgetting the Cromwell Bar up in the eaves with more beams than you can shake a stick at. The timbered frame dates from the C16th so there is much age to ponder over a solid pint of Wadworth 6X (the Greene King IPA glass in my picture is a red herring). Soulful music and the earnest arrival of lunching parties give a hum of ambiance although it's the deep brown panelling and sense of history which is ticking my boxes.

- St John the Baptist Church -

 A wider look around the village is a must hence Lavender Hall Lane allows access to Church Lane. A charity barbecue is underway on the little green outside Berkswell Stores while the church itself lurks off the fork, just past its associated primary school. Dedicated to St John the Baptist, it's a striking hodgepodge of Norman and medieval features, the tower being made of stone (with a Packwood-style sundial) but the jettied porch is of timber with yellowed render. Daffodils among the headstones add a splash of colour plus a hazard notice warns of paths getting slippery when wet or frosty - I'll take extra care just to be on the safe side. It's easy to imagine this being an idyllic corner of central England when the sun is shining, giving a taste of Warwickshire's past even though we're technically nowadays in the West Midlands. 

- Long-term blockage at Lavender Hall Lane -

The next segment of Lavender Hall Lane is completely closed off due to HS2 happenings; there's no pedestrian access whatsoever but all I can see beyond the barricade is a mound of sandy-hued earth that I wouldn't be keen to traipse over anyway. I've therefore no choice but to backtrack the exact same way I came - via Baulk Lane - and go the longer way round into Balsall Common. Brightening skies are encouraging as Hallmeadow Road effectively acts as a Balsall Common bypass, sneaking beside Lavender Hall Park where a football pitch plays host to the Hornets whoever or whatever they are. My second dose of refreshment comes at the George in the Tree, primarily a Beefeater chain effort accompanying a Premier Inn hotel on the main Kenilworth Road. I won't get overly gushing about having Carling and watching the BBC News Channel but it satisfies my curiosity which is the main thing.

- The Old Saracens Head -

Something more exciting theoretically awaits in Balsall Street, once I've navigated Dengate Drive's excessive wiggles with all manner of cul-de-sac offshoots. As with the Bear Inn earlier, the Old Saracens Head is a real looker of a building, fashioned out of sloping beams but with low ceilings that could pose a significant danger to people of my height. Managing to avoid walloping the WME bonce on anything painful, I collect a pint of Marston's Pedigree and end up sitting outside - yes, in February. The temperatures are such that I'm hardly going to freeze and with the sun out it's actually rather pleasant sitting on wicker garden chairs underneath a domed pergola. The pub sign features a portrait of a swarthy Arabian tribesman but I'm more distracted by a wiry set of ornamental lambs - what are they all about?

- Cottagey Charms in Balsall Common -

Berkswell is certainly the prettier of the two villages yet Balsall Common is not beyond having its own thatched charms, as indeed evidenced by an attractive property on Balsall Street East. Taking the Gipsy Lane turning past the Heart of England Secondary School, I reach my final watering hole in the guise of the White Horse. Part of the Wells & Co group, this is a bright and breezy standard all-rounder offering drinks promotions, a typical menu and plenty of scope for watching sport. Brewpoint Anchorman lives up to its fresh and fruity billing for a quick slurp in the side snug as champagne corks pop to welcome a wedding party in the function room; I'll quietly leave them to their celebrations and catch the 15:25 train home.

Ale Afoot in Warwick and Birmingham

Two trips in four days makes for a feast of February exploration, although there's quite a contrast to be had between Warwick's aged timbers versus Birmingham's brutalist core. A beer festival in the most memorable of surroundings and a Second City crawl are on the agenda so let's see what occurred...

- HRH's Spiritual Corner -

To Warwick, whereby Friday 20th February saw Jane and I joining His Royal Highness Nick in a county town that never lacks a compelling sense of history. The preamble to this outing had actually seen Miss Woolf and I starting off in soggy Tipton, devouring Pie Factory pastry-lidded dishes with great gusto - for once I rebuffed the chance of suet scrumptiousness in favour of a 'Posh & Becks' Steak and Stilton treat infused with undeniable blue cheese flavour, although Jane still made sure to get a bonus flake with her pudding. A brief encounter with the Flying Scotsman at Birmingham Moor Street precedes us meeting Nick and predictably calling in on our royal's favourite Warwick hostelry, the Old Post Office on West Street. Original owner Tom has recently passed away but his legacy is a special little place with excellent beer and cider, plus a Sacred Heart shrine corner with the Magnificat listed on the resident Psalms board.

- King James's Seat -

Not much can upstage the Old Post Office in truth but there is a beer festival to attend and my what a setting we have. The Lord Leycester Hospital is one of Britain's most intact medieval buildings, comprising a half-timbered complex of lodgings, storerooms, a Master's House and a banqueting hall which have stood the test of time. The site was used by the United Guilds of Warwick as their headquarters before Robert Dudley (the Earl of Leicester) set up a charitable community to meet the needs of injured soldiers in 1571. This function has been upheld right through to the present day, hence the presence of the Master and several Brethren who wear ceremonial attire. As such, the beer festival is a fundraising event held annually in the Great Hall; Nick has attended many times in recent years and has a particular affection for a famous chair where King James I and his specially padded trousers apparently sat in 1617.

- A Perry Pair -

The drinks are almost secondary to the location here but we imbibe most eagerly, perching atop tables that have been pushed to the edges of the hall. Nick and Jane are both of a cidery persuasion, taste-testing the likes of Thistly Cross, Gwynt y Ddraig's Happy Daze and Buck Medium before collectively concluding on the 6.8% goodness of Lilley's Bee Sting perry, ever a joint favourite among my esteemed accomplices. I am therefore left to maintain the ale side of the equation, a duty I perform most admirably courtesy of North Cotswold Morerum Mild (with a snatch of the sailor's tipple about it), Church End Archangel (a 6% heavweight pale) and Green Duck's Space Lord (loaded with grapefruit and tangerine notes). My pick of the lot has to be Byatt's Rye Stout but you know I'm a sucker for the darker brews anyway, then we just have time for a Ronnie's Bar nightcap trying to recognise Rons and Ronalds from the worlds of entertainment and politics - Reagan, Corbett, Barker etc. Excellent fun all round!

- Crossword Concentration -

Trip Two takes place on Monday 23rd February and has the Chip Foundation converging upon Brum for Episode 93 of our ongoing chronicles. Nick has given us a pub collecting remit once we've met within the shadows of bull Ozzy's snarling snout, and a Southside shuffle pitches us promptly onto Hurst Street close to both Chinatown and the Gay Village. One top HRH target - the Sly Old Fox - has been partially sacrificed to become a restaurant and the remaining bar half isn't open anyway, meaning the adjacent Dragon JD Wetherspoons steps nimbly into the breach. Red paper lanterns celebrating Chinese New Year hang across the woodwork as we obtain suitable refreshment, but only after we've figured out which of the many entrance doors actually lets us inside. Titanic's Raspberry Pale fruity ale means that for once His Majesty and I have drinks that rival the Beardsmore lemonade and blackcurrant for pinkness, then Ken has us all racking our brains when completing the JDW magazine's crossword - it’s a tricky puzzle in fairness, requiring expert knowledge of Indonesian Prime Ministers, Californian oil localities and obscure Walter Scott novels so we might have resorted to Google for added assistance.

- Apt for any Chip Foundation outing -

Pressing on, Bromsgrove Street is our means of reaching our next port of call, a wildcard pick from yours truly in the guise of Birmingham's other 'Welly'. While the Black Country Ales place on Bennetts Hill is secure in our avowed affections, its near-namesake the Wellington Hotel is nevertheless worthy of our custom. We've passed this Bristol Street landmark so many times en route to the cricket that we were bound to do it eventually, especially because the building dates from 1890 and is considered a good example of James and Lister Lea’s much-admired public house architecture. Indeed, the upper floors have bow-fronted Regency aspects and the whole premises is Grade II listed even if the historic charm fades a little inside due to the combined intrusions of sports bar and Indian restaurant trappings. Ken at least is approving of their Dennis Amiss signed cricket bat and a framed Blues shirt before conversation turns to coach holidays, the Winter Olympics and general political observations. The Enter Chaos paintwork on nearby Henstead Street suddenly seems highly appropriate!

- The Victoria -

Two establishments within the loose vicinity of John Bright Street now require our scrutiny. The Victoria has a quirky Gin Palace air about it, standing three storeys tall and mostly deep green with gilded embellishments. A comedy evening begins at half past seven which explains why most of the punters suddenly disappear upstairs (it wasn't something Stephen said, honest!) then I shock everyone by having a low alcohol beer, namely Bristol Beer Factory's Clear Head. Sailor-inspired illustrations adorn the inner snug walls - think loveheart tattoos and mermaids - which is in contrast to the continental cafe vibe on show at nearby Cherry Reds. Homemade cakes and gourmet coffees mark this out as being far removed from your average boozer but the beer is good, Pale Brummie and Green Duck Space Lord meeting with our approval.

- Studious Scribbling in the Purecraft Bar -

Our Chip conclusion is the Purecraft Bar & Kitchen in the heart of town, within sight of the Floozy in the Jacuzzi. Purity’s Waterloo Street flagship seems almost deserted at first glance until we realise everybody is downstairs playing Warhammer (or whichever dice-based battle strategy game it happens to be) so initial appearances can be deceptive. I remember this bar launching as a high end concept from the environmentally-conscious Alcester based brewery, and Nick is always keen to support Warwickshire enterprises. Their core range is on full show from Gold to UBU to Mad Goose and the lesser-seen Jimbo, a pint of the latter getting the nod in this case. Notes are jotted, sporting deeds discussed and there's even a closing word from our Royal about a certain disgraced ex-prince, and with that we head home. Cheers!

WME Flickr Focus - February 2026

Valentine's cards may have been sent and plenty of pancakes flipped over the last few weeks but for the West Midlands Exploration photostream February has been a month of steady simple progress. No pink hearts or sprinklings of lemon and sugar here, just a routine supply of new camera-created content...

If we were to declare a romantic interest, WME Dudley probably retains its leading role from January but you'll have to make your own minds up whether you adore my pictures of Gornal pub signs or the Halesowen Bus Station clock. Over in Stourbridge the Green Duck Brewery tap promises "really nice cobs", and if that isn't enough to turn your head we have a wavy-roofed Tecton turnstile at Dudley Zoo, one for any admirers of Modernist municipal architecture.

If Dudley doesn't dazzle you, maybe WME Staffordshire can tug at your heartstrings instead. I'm certainly a fan of Hanley's Golden Cup pub, and even if its Bass lantern isn't sufficient on its own to make me totally weak at the knees, once you sneak in some street signage (Pall Mall) and a couple of Potteries Museum exhibits I could be yours for an oatcake! A Furnace Grange flurry from Trescott is admittedly more mundane material unless you happen to appreciate farm driveways and temporary road surfaces.

To WME Wolverhampton which has been busily lusting after a Dunstall double act - I give you a Trading Estate unit and the Tabernacle Baptist Church - whilst also flirting with Finchfield (where the Chestnut Tree tries to lure us with its breakfast promotions). Fox's Lane Bridge and Fowlers Park trade teasing insults whereas Graiseley gobbles up the likes of Clayton Close, Ablow Street and the Broyce Control works. 

Usually avoiding the dating scene due to long-term shyness, WME Worcestershire pokes its head above the parapet with a helping of Hagley. The King Arthur is bostin' Bathams at their best, and while Park Road isn't especially exciting, there are two Worcester Stands Tall giraffes to take your fancy. The question here is do you wish to meet 'Deco' at the Royal Worcester porcelain museum or 'Arthur the Giraffa in Banana Pyjamas' at the Cornmarket?

Getting swiped left rather too much for their liking this month are WME Birmingham (despite a burst of Erdington energy courtesy of Summer Road, Silver Birch Road and some Go Go Go hoardings) and that erstwhile singleton WME Sandwell with its only offering of Old Factory Bridge in Tipton. WME Shropshire smooches through a couple of Shrewsbury - or rather Harlescott - street sign kisses, and with that the shortest month is done. With love, enjoy the pictures and see you in March for an early spring selection...

Ludlow and Tenbury Wells

Rising in mid Wales a little to the south of Newtown, the River Teme flows eastwards through Powys, Shropshire and eventually into Worcestershire where it meets the River Severn below Worcester. Two of the towns it visits along the way form the focus of a February getaway with Bookworm Bygrave, so here are selected highlights from our investigations of Ludlow and Tenbury Wells...

- Ludlow Castle Looms Above -

Let's start in Shropshire and lovely Ludlow which always rewards the intrepid traveller with its fascinating array of historic buildings combining to create an enchanting mixture of medieval and Georgian architecture. The town's castle originally commenced construction circa 1085/86 and its ruins contain features from the Norman and Tudor periods; to this day it dominates the area, standing boldly on its crest above the riverbank and commanding views across both the Welsh Marches and the immediate Salopian countryside. We briefly have a nose inside the gift shop (with Emily nervously making the acquaintance of a gleaming suit of armour) before strolling below the towers on a perimeter path that offers fine vistas over Linney and Dinham.

- Bookworm Bygrave beside the Teme -

Dinham - with its 25% downhill gradient in places - is our route to the water's edge, noting that Millennium Green has benches where you can sit and enjoy the scenery. An adjacent building (now partially housing a coffee shop) was formerly a water-powered corn mill while Dinham Bridge itself dates from the 19th century and boasts four stone arches spanning the Teme in sturdy fashion. Alongside our general sightseeing, there is scope for Bookworm Bygrave to live up to her nickname by perusing the shelves of Oxfam and the Castle Bookshop, striking lucky in the second of those for a Sylvia Plath purchase. Price's Bakery meanwhile serves up luxurious hot chocolate and gorgeous traybake cakes, whereby we can attest to the quality of their flapjacks and millionaire's shortbread. Artisan sourdough loaves seem popular here.

- The Dog Hangs Well -

Time for a pubby paragraph and it's not an exaggeration to say Ludlow has so many tempting taverns it's a struggle to pick which ones to try. Top of the WME wishlist are two classic parlour pubs that are rightly recognised for the quality of their conversion from other uses: the Blood Bay used to be a retail premises that has been lovingly restored to give a sense of authentic Victorian escapism, while the Dog Hangs Well on Corve Street is a hidden gem operating restricted opening hours - if the lantern is lit outside that's your clue it is open. Mobile phone use is banned in both establishments because they seek to conjure a sense of a bygone age, while the ale is excellent as Titanic Plum Porter meets Night Owl's Moonbather Stout. Further quality - this time of the gastronomic variety - is on offer at the Blue Boar, a coaching inn near the castle which kindly squeezes us in for a cracking meal, then a Black Country Ales nightcap in the Unicorn has us fussing the resident dogs before braving an unexpected blizzard!

- Teme Bridge, Tenbury Wells -

Thankfully we've thawed out in time for our tickle around Tenbury Wells, although the sight of my frozen hair getting encrusted with white snowflakes will be the source of ongoing Bygrave amusement I suspect. It must be around thirty years since I last came to Tenbury - my Nan and Grandad used to have a caravan in Stourport which provided a base for a few family adventures so it'll be interesting to see how much I remember. The answer is not a fat lot, although one instantly recognisable feature is the Teme Bridge as rebuilt in 1908. The river effectively forms the county boundary here, with the Burford side coming under Shropshire whereas the town centre is firmly within Worcestershire. We park up by the swimming baths and stage an initial recce, noting Tenbury Wells Library and some independent local shops. Banfield & Son's ironmongers has an interesting old frontage bearing stickers for Silent Refrigerators whilst proudly declaring 'We Stock Wolf'.

- Tenbury Round Market -

Two Tenbury heritage landmarks I am particularly keen to track down and photograph are the Round Market and the Pump Rooms. The first of these is a small but elaborate oval building which offers stallholders an undercover space from which to sell their produce; having first opened in 1858, it continues to trade five days a week. The Pump Rooms meanwhile share the same designer (James Cranston) as the market hall and were commissioned in order to develop Tenbury's spa town status. Built in 1862, the rooms form a highly distinctive ensemble in the Chinese Gothic style and nowadays serve as the Town Clerk's office and a meeting space that can host civil ceremonies. 

- Bullseye Bygrave wins again! -

After a most enjoyable brunch in Mr Thom's Cafe and Grill (a late breakfast for yours truly and a gooey bacon, brie and cranberry ciabatta for Miss B respectively), we have the difficult task of choosing which Tenbury pubs to sample. The Pembroke House gets the nod on account of its general wonkiness, black and white beams with a welcoming sense of cosiness. Robinsons Flagon Cider is produced nearby in Little Hereford - their orchards go back generations - so a pint of that is a must, and we take refuge in the far games room as the heavens open. Emily proves masterful on the darts (well she won, put it that way) whereas I display better prowess on the pool table. Once the weather improves, we decamp to the Market Tavern for another dose of Black Country Ales hospitality, earwigging on the Wales v France Six Nations rugby over a devilishly dark glass of Beowulf Finns Hall Porter. Two terrific towns on the Teme!

Hub Hoovering in Bearwood and Smethwick

When we said we wanted to do some mopping up around Bearwood, Smethwick and Oldbury, I don't think either D9 or myself expected there to be quite so much water about. Nevertheless we can cope with the week-long deluge during our second Hub Marketing happening of 2026...

- A Great Western Breakfast -

Trip Log: Friday 6th February 2026 and we're back on the hunt for places we haven't hubbed previously. There's no denying it's another wet morning in a month where the sun has barely shone but a bit of persistent drizzle won't deter us from getting out and about. A Bradley Lane rendezvous is scheduled for half past ten but a work-related phonecall makes the Chairman late, meaning he has a penalty to pay off once the tram drops us in West Bromwich. Based in a former pub premises on the High Street, the Great Western Cafe enables Mr D9 to settle his dues courtesy of a £4 small breakfast drizzled in brown sauce. As greasy spoons go, this one is doing a very brisk trade given that it has space for plenty of tables and is very good value.

- The Malcolm X Mural -

 The 80 bus at midday is overrun with students but we sit downstairs for a Spon Lane short hop, navigating a set of pesky roadworks to jump off near Mallin Street. The Ivy Bush awaits at the top of the road and was a Holden's tied house many moons ago but has long been a Desi-type pub and a very smart one at that. It hasn't long opened for the day when we troop inside for preliminary halves of Carling, hence the landlord is still going about his usual routine of checking the pipes and putting cash in the till. A plum leather perch has us monitoring bus tracking apps for news of route 49 progress, but my favourite aspect here is actually a large scale mural painted to celebrate the milestone moment when activist Malcolm X visited nearby Marshall Street in 1965, a seminal point in the quest for racial equality. The artwork references the Indian Workers Association so Mr D9 poses next to their 'United We Stand' slogan.

- Saphari, Causeway Green -

The 49E is on the scene much as the app had indicated, meaning the Secretary can aim for his Causeway Green wildcard to be included. The former Hen & Chickens pub on the traffic lights at Wolverhampton Road has been through various guises and is currently trading as the Saphari buffet restaurant, specialising in a wide range of worldwide cuisines. Importantly for us, they have retained a dedicated drinking area so we can partake of Poretti Italian-styled lager (nowadays owned and brewed by Carlsberg) without stuffing our faces on curries, stews or pizza. The decor veers from exotic birds to surreal moustaches and most things in between while a mellow soundtrack features covers of 80s classics 'Africa' and 'Forever Young'.

- Bentley Bear at Lightwoods Park -

Getting back on track with the Chairman's Bearwood itinerary, we next account for the Miller & Carter followed closely by the Dog, two Hagley Road haunts that needed doing for completion purposes. The first of these was historically known as the Cock & Magpies and serves up an expensive WME round of Beavertown Neck Oil whereas the latter is an Ember Inns effort oft frequented by Mr D9 and his ex-dragon back in the day. A swift Timothy Taylor's Landlord in there ensues we don't steal Sharon's reserved table any longer than absolutely necessary, then we nibble into nearby Lightwoods Park where the pathways look damp and the playing pitches are totally waterlogged. The resident Big Sleuth bear Bentley doesn't seem to be too bothered by the weather though, stoically coping with the gusting breeze. 

- A Gridlocked Bald Spot -

Besides such ursine connections, the park has another ace up its sleeve in the form of a bar within the magnificently restored Lightwoods House. 1000 Trades first came to prominence in the Jewellery Quarter and have now branched out into this second offering based within such impressive surroundings. The resurrected park building is a marvel especially as it was under threat - Mr D9 remembers it being derelict in the 1990s and I know from my own early outings that it was closed for a considerable period, so to have it returned to working use as a coffee shop cum pub is a revelation. Salopian Brainstorm is our atomic blonde ale pick here and the interior is a beguiling mixture of green throne armchairs, wooden benches and throstle scatter cushions. Heading back out into the rain, we quickly realise that Bearwood High Street is one long traffic jam and that our intended 82 helping hand bus is going nowhere fast.

- Smiling Secretary in the Woodlands Club -

No matter, we simply walk it to the Windsor Lounge which makes a welcome Hub Marketing reappearance nine years since we last saw it. An impressive refit has occurred since 2017 although its snooker club heritage is still apparent. Several tables are available for hire plus a dartboard in one corner and a separate room is kitted out as a multi-lane bowling alley. The Chairman thinks he is quids in when nabbing a Happy Hour £3.30 discount on our Caffreys pints only for the Secretary to strike gold when we relocate t'other side of Cape Hill to check out the Woodlands Club. We both loved this unspoiled backstreet social club affair nestled on Woodlands Street in tones of battleship grey; some of the fixtures and fittings probably haven't changed in decades and I'm very smitten with the vintage adverts for Bacardi or Guinness.

- Mixed Grill Moments at Amritsari Tarka -

Noting the Nash's Coaches depot on Raglan Road - we briefly get chatting to one of their drivers - we shuffle on into Smethwick to see what has become of the Park Hotel, a Victorian era terracotta boozer which stands on a busy High Street gyratory opposite the local park. It has been a purveyor of Punjabi cuisine for quite a while and is currently linked to the Amritsari Tarka restaurant. We admire an ornamental motorbike in the foyer then pair Kingfisher lager with a very tasty mixed grill comprising lamb, fish and chicken delicacies - yum! Worsening rain prevents us attempting a grand Oldbury finale so our old friend the Blue Gates gets the nod instead, wallowing in a 1970s Melanie soundtrack over our closing glasses of Carling. Smethwick has served us so well over the years as a Hub Marketing heartland and long may that trend continue; we've defied the weather and had a wonderful time as always. Cheers!

Eastbourne Excursion Extractions

A special family holiday arranged in honour of my Grandad's 90th birthday means the extended WME clan - and guest member Stephen - will be staying in Sussex for a few January days. Eastbourne is a new destination for me so here's to a coach getaway...

- Dusky Eastbourne Seafront -

Our East Sussex story starts on Sunday 25th January with a nominal departure time of 09:10 from Wolverhampton's Faulkland Street coach station. Our steed actually arrives remarkably early and then makes reasonably rapid progress - via Dudley and Frankley Services - along the M5, M40, M25 and A27 with a halfway stop at Beaconsfield (no, I didn't partake of the on site service station Wetherspoons). Checking into Daish's Imperial Hotel at circa half past two, there's scope for some initial Eastbourne exploration prior to our evening meal. The Cornfield Garage supplies refreshment in the form of Rebellion Brewery's Smuggler ale in a building that until 1976 had been a landmark car showroom. Fed and watered back at our lodgings, Stephen and I then take a dusky seafront stroll to ponder below-the-pier murals denoting appropriate recycling of plastics, slotting in a quick dash of Little Chelsea as Eastbourne's quaint Victorian quarter makes an immediate impression.

- Mr Beardsmore on the Ouse -

Monday 26th January is the big day in terms of family celebrations, with Grandad receiving cards, cake and a 90th birthday balloon either side of enjoying a trundle off to the bookies. Mr B and I otherwise dedicate the day to Lewes, a timeless county town that retains more than its fair share of independent family businesses and is all the better for it. Catching the 09:55 train over (once the driver had turned up), we cover the full length of the High Street from Cliffe at the eastern end to the Old Grammar School and St Anne's Church to the west. Along the way we note the River Ouse, Lewes Town Hall, the Con Club and a succession of route 28 buses. Several of the buildings have connections to Thomas Paine, whose philosophical writings on politics proved highly influential during the American Revolution. One of the local hostelries is called the Rights of Man while the White Hart proclaims itself the cradle of US independence.

- Castle Gate, Lewes -

The entire town centre is dominated by Lewes Castle standing ruined on its mound. This 11th century fortification was originally erected after the Norman Conquest and is noted for having two mottes as part of its phased construction. Winter opening times apply so the museum can only accept visitors on weekends for the moment; Castle Gate does at least allow views of the stonework from afar and presents an attractive thoroughfare in its own right, traversing lamplit arches. We follow the cobbles past the castle's associated bowling green - said to have been in use for over three centuries - to reach the Lewes Arms, a superb find which has rightfully earned entry into the 2026 Good Beer Guide. Procuring Harvey's Sussex Best Bitter (and Mr B's lemonade and blackcurrant) from the small front bar, we proceed into the side snug to sit among chopped logs and photos of the town's famous Bonfire Procession. Lewes has seven Bonfire Societies that oversee the annual November 5th festivities, marching the streets with martyrs' crosses all aglow. The gallery certainly makes it look spectacular!

- Harvey's Brewery -

Lewes is also home to the aforementioned Harveys, a family brewery that was founded in 1790 and is currently run by the seventh and eighth generations of their dynasty. I'm naturally keen to sample more of their wares so we check out the Gardeners Arms, a cosy narrow pub off Cliffe High Street where the XXXX Old Ale is excellent, then move around the corner into the John Harvey Tavern taphouse. Here the full range is gloriously showcased in appealing surroundings, hence the XX Dark Mild tickles my fancy and is served straight from the stillage behind the bar counter. Mr B and I decamp to a spare table cocooned inside a giant barrel to debate cricketing and footballing matters in the time-honoured way. Our Eastbourne evening then involves more family time with Grandad and my parents, playing bingo without much success and tackling the hotel's daily quiz by racking our brains to think of US states that begin with the letter 'C'. Let's just say we didn't win...

- Feline Friend in the Dolphin -

Onto Tuesday 27th January and Storm Chandra has been howling outside for hours, although other parts of the country seem to have had it worse. The weather remains foul for most of the morning so we stay indoors listening to the ODI cricket commentary from Colombo, England securing the welcome boost of a series win in Sri Lanka. Mr Beardsmore is certainly buoyed by that news as we stick around Eastbourne for the afternoon, venturing out to the London & County Wetherspoons for a lunchtime pint before casting our pub net elsewhere in town. The Dolphin was one of the Little Chelsea hostelries we'd spotted on Sunday night so a visit there makes sense, sampling Long Man's Old Man dark ale from a small brewery based in nearby Polegate. The resident ginger cat is not a creature to be ignored and literally demands regular floofing by miaowing at any unsuspecting customers - we are happy to follow its orders!

- The Saffrons -

Fine discoveries are to be had around Meads Road courtesy of Eastbourne Town Hall and the Caffyns dealership where vintage early motors such as a 1908 Morris Oxford are on display. The Saffrons is home to Eastbourne Town Football Club plus bowls, tennis, hockey and cricket provision so it's a serious sporting concern - I love the turnstile entrance kiosk with its painted embossed letters. Saffrons Road has flint-speckled stone walls as we access Dittons Road onto The Goffs, effectively flanking the edges of Gildredge Park. A rug repair shop catches Stephen's eye as we home in on Old Town, a historic district of Eastbourne which pre-dates the development of the Victorian seaside resort brought about by William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire. The presence of an older settlement is indicated by the 12th century charms of St Mary's Church, one of two fascinating buildings that stand side by side.

- The Lamb, Old Town -

The second of these special structures is the Lamb, a wondrous watering hole that just looks the part with its black and white beams, monumental fireplaces and a well some 18 metres deep (or around 59 feet in old money). The cellars here are said to date to 1180, echoing the Norman construction of the church next door, and the pub as a whole is one of the oldest in the entire country. What's more, it's a Harvey's tied house and I've been developing a distinct liking for their ales all week. Armada gets the nod this time, served in impeccable condition, while sketch portraits of Eastbourne cricketers ensure Mr B is sufficiently placated too. The high backed benches are ecclesiastical in flavour and the medieval masonry is marvellous. Mealtime at the Imperial then precedes more Harvey's admiration in the guise of the Victoria Hotel, a backstreet boozer we managed to sample at the third time of asking. Whisky jugs, sherry butts and other ceramics create a memorable setting for gentle conversation.

- Eastbourne Pier -

The big news come Wednesday 28th January is that the sun has come out, and Eastbourne does look especially refined on an unseasonably springlike morning. I have the Pier almost all to myself, strolling along the boardwalk to get pictures of its different components including a Victorian tearoom, a tackle shop and gilded lanterns at frequent intervals. The seafront hotels have more sparkle about them suddenly, with elegant facades detectable from the Burlington, the Chatsworth and the Queens. I loop as far as the Redoubt Fortress, a formidable coastal defence built to guard against Napoleonic invasions but it currently appears to be disused if the museum it houses is no longer operating. It's then time to catch the bus to Hastings, the 99 being a Stagecoach route serving Pevensey Bay and Bexhill-on-Sea. 

- St Clement's Church, Hastings -

We alight on Harold Place in Hastings town centre (on account of everybody else getting off) and immediately spot a couple of murals representing local musicians and the lifeboat; I don’t recognise any of the performers but it’s a visual treat regardless. Mom and Dad recommended the Old Town area as being the nicest bit of Hastings to investigate so Mr B and I aim there, noting hints of craggy castle and the West Cliff Lift en route. George Street has a boutique feel with bunting, bric a brac emporiums and tempting sweetshops - cue some fudge purchases - before the lovely parish church of St Clement's steals the scene. The opposite corner is where the Swan pub used to stand until it became a victim of German bombs during The Blitz.

- First In Last Out is a Cardinal -

We won't be able to sample the Swan sadly but two other establishments are in line for our custom, starting with the First In Last Out. The amount of previous Good Beer Guide stickers adorning the front windows is proof enough of its pedigree for serving quality ale, and the fact the place gets packed out with expectant diners within a quarter of an hour of opening likewise suggests we're onto a winner. So it proves with their own microbrewery being responsible for a nectar-like pint of FILO Cardinal Sussex Porter, I'm blown away. The Jenny Lind has a tough act to follow there but comes up trumps with Long Man Best Bitter and a strong commitment to live music. Shanty sessions with Completely Scuppered are their Thursday night staple.

- Beardsmore by the Beach -

More Hastings heritage needs to be rigorously investigated so the fantastic Fishing Quarter is an unmissable attraction. This seafront enclave comprises The Stade and Rock-a-Nore Road complete with tall Net Shops - black mariner shacks unique to Hastings - and a rocky outcrop known as East Hill. There are two museums in the vicinity, one focusing on the fishing industry and the other dealing with shipwrecks, so you can get a sense of Sussex's maritime past. We troop back into the somewhat less glamorous modern town centre, nip into the John Logie Baird Wetherspoons for additional refreshment - it is named after the Scottish engineer recognised as the inventor of the world's first mechancial television set - then Eastbourne beckons once more for our final evening on the South Coast, spent back at the Dolphin attempting their pub quiz (we came joint sixth after an unfortunate wipeout finale). Come Thursday 29th January it's time to head home, enduring A27 traffic due to malfunctioning manholes but still reaching the West Midlands in good order. A special week!

WME Flickr Focus - January 2026

Photostream felicitations to you as 2026 is already a whole month old. Hopefully any January blues are starting to dissipate and we can all look forward to shorter nights plus warmer temperatures on the horizon. Encouragingly, the last few weeks have been ones of positive pictorial progress - here's the latest...

Stealing the New Year limelight is WME Dudley which ushers forth a deluge of Delph dealings from the environs of Brierley Hill. The Bull & Bladder pub is a muse I'm always happy to gaze upon again so forgive me for an obsession with beer-related Bathams Brewery lettering, whether this be for Mild, Bitter or the on-site Hop Room. Street signs increasingly come as standard where my archive is concerned so Thorns Avenue and The Goss make their combined presences felt, and I can't publish items from The Delph without drawing upon the famous canal flight and its associated boozer (The Tenth Lock). A sprinkle of Dudley town centre offerings add more bulk, with an emphasis on Duncan Edwards's statue.

Secondly, let's swiftly consider WME Shropshire where I've been decisive in Ditherington thanks to sacks of dominoes and a Long Row street sign. They feed into my general Shrewsbury album alongside four Coleham contenders, the lanes Salters and Egland being joined by the glorious Bass lamps of the Cross Foxes. Craven Arms meanwhile furnishes us with farming possibilities in the form of Morris Corfield's tractor dealership, almost agricultural!

WME Wolverhampton is usually pretty active and January was especially productive for the insertion of tweaked pictures i.e. ones that didn't initially meet my extensive quality control expectations and required remedial surgery. George Street tiles, Pool Hall golden leaves and Springfield Campus construction banners all benefit from such extra editing, whereas Dixon Street mosaic basketballers and Connaught House flat namings made the cut at the first time of asking. The legendary tree growing in the gents of the Combermere Arms also makes an appearance, joining Compton's Oddfellows in my Wulfrunian assemblings.

Elsewhere, there have been stirrings from WME Sandwell - most notably involving the Midland Electric Power Company frontage on Reddal Hill Road in Cradley Heath - and from good old WME Birmingham which bashfully recruits the Deritend Fish & Chips shop on account of its vintage Pepsi branding. Brum also bagged itself an Allison Street snippet down in Digbeth and an encounter with Lock Six on the Ashted Flight (near Curzon Street) for a canal candidate whereas Sandwell summoned a Galton Valley metallic portrait.

To the surrounding shires now, with WME Staffordshire apparently active in Lower Penn and Trescott (cue Dene Road, Shop Lane and yet another canine artwork). WME Worcestershire wiggles through a River Severn scene at Bewdley before allowing WME Warwickshire to claim the stage via a couple of Curdworth Locks. All that remains is a brief mention for WME Coventry and its acquired piece of James Starley street art and you can consider yourselves fully in the know. Until February, enjoy the pictures!

Glugging Around Gornal: A January Jaunt

Foundation Assemble! Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to raid the pubs and taverns of deepest Gornal in search of ale, cobs and merriment. Will you be up to the task? There's only one way to find out...

- The Jolly Crispin -

The first Chip Foundation outing of 2026 stands to be a wet one. His Majesty has requested an extended Glugging Around Gornal session as a follow up to December's calendar unveiling affair, during which we spotted a Stripey Oss among other things. Several of our old favourites are in line to be revisited in the rain, starting with the Jolly Crispin on Clarence Street. Indeed, Nick has forged ahead to claim a prime table in the rustic old bar and is happily clutching his Ossett White Rat by the time Stephen, Ken and I pitch up off the number 1 bus. Promising a festival of beer everyday, this used to be the Fownes Brewery tap but now functions as a free house that - if the date on the paintwork is to be believed - first got going circa 1820.

- Britannia Buddies -

Conversation about Eastbourne holidays, Beardsmore tenants and the recent snowy weather prepares us for a stroll down the road to collect that other Upper Gornal mainstay, namely the Britannia. Some of us were only here last month but it's always a joy to return, especially if there is Batham's Best Bitter in the offing. HRH goes rogue by sampling the Mild - which he rates very highly - and we find ourselves budging in amongst the regulars in the main bar due to Sally's Parlour room being used for interviews. One of the barmaids is working wonders in getting a roaring fire fully stoked up, just what you need on a chilly grey day in January. We mostly gloss over our Ashes cricket reflections (probably too traumatic for poor Stephen to contemplate) and instead debate Greenland developments plus the general rate of inflation.

- Cheers from the Chapel House -

Gornal can be a hilly challenge so we're wisely going down into Lower Gornal rather than attempting any mountaineering in the other direction. Holloway Street and Ruiton Street thus bring us safely to the Chapel House, an establishment we last frequented together way back in December 2010. It was called the Miners Arms at that point but has reverted to an earlier name as well as having its external render removed to showcase the underlying sandstone; Holden's have owned the place since around 1949 hence their range of Bitter, Special and Golden Glow is on hand to tempt us. The locals are playing darts (complete with electronic voiceover) at the front of the pub so we sit near the back, Ken being quizmaster in finding us various BBC football questions to answer based on rounds in Richard Osman's House of Games, Only Connect and Mastermind. Getting 'Trent Alexander Arnoldham' as an Answer Smash might be my finest moment of the day!

- The Fountain Inn -

The next couple of watering holes shouldn't require too much of an introduction, both having been recorded in the annals of my blogdom several times over the years. Passing the edges of St James's Churchyard - where most of the graves look very well cared for - we reach the Fountain as positioned in a sloping formation halfway along Temple Street. For many editions this was a Good Beer Guide shoo-in and we're pleased to report that the quality and breadth of the ale range is hitting the heights still. His Majesty considers himself to be a Fallen Angel (no comment) whereas I simply can't resist the Abbeydale Irish Cream Stout which tastes like a heavenly mixture of Baileys and Guinness. Stephen by this stage is so replete with Pepsi that he can't face another half and prefers to concentrate on munching a much appreciated sausage roll. A comfortable lounge table beckons for Bridge of Lies as the daytime diet of endless quiz shows gets into full swing.

- The Old Bull's Head -

Leaving Ross Kemp to his brooding hosting duties, we switch straight across the road into the Old Bull's Head which also happens to be the Black Country Ales flagship. The company has gone from strength to strength since being founded in 1999 and now owns over 50 taphouses with more being added to the estate each year. Gornal however is their spiritual home so it's always a pleasure to pop by and pick from whichever beers they have on show, which today includes their standard BFG, Fireside and Pig on the Wall plus several guests. I personally partake of Oakham's Hell Bent Coffee Porter which has a pronounced roasted bitterness to match well with some bargain vegetable samosas. The front two rooms have been knocked into one but its an inviting space, decorated in the company's house style and lending itself to deep conversation with a background hint of Smooth Radio. 

- Bush Brethren -

From the Old Bull's Head, we continue our descent past Gornal Wood Bus Station to reach the third of the Gornal communities (Upper, Lower and Wood). The Woodman doesn't look open and has a planning notice sellotaped up by the front door so we hope this isn't terminal; thankfully the Bush Inn on Summit Place is very much alive and kicking. This is a cottagey number that can go under the radar a little compared to the cask ale heavyweights nearby although it's definitely worth seeking out. A tight cask range gives us a choice between St Austell Proper Job or Exmoor Gold - South West beers in the heart of the Black Country - before we park ourselves in the little front snug surrounded by heavily blackened beams. Having settled in, Ken gives us the back story to his new coat purchase and we deliberate over what might become of Wolverhampton Wanderers once relegation is confirmed.

- Milk Stout Moments in PACK -

I make that six Gornal stopping points duly accounted for, a glorious half dozen that covered three local breweries and some excellent independent houses. The 27A bus collects us from Gornal Wood Bus Station at 17:13 for a ride via The Straits (the Longfellow Road variation), Sedgley, the Northway estate and Goldthorn Park. Back in Wolverhampton by 6pm, we finish off at PACK to see what the chaps make of the city centre's latest bar arrival. As with Mr D9 last week, impressions are very favourable with Nick's eyes predictably lighting up at the sight of the table football machine upstairs. Bristol Beer Factory's Milk Stout is the perfect smooth finale to a day of high class beer, and the first floor soft sofa area also scores highly. Cheers!