The Route 1 Pubcrawl: D9 at the Double

The storm season has arrived with a vengeance as Austen and Boelo have wreaked their collective might upon the West Midlands. The Hub Marketing Board were due to meet for a Shropshire session but scaled back our plans in favour of a local pubcrawl aboard the number 1 bus between Dudley and Tettenhall - the idea proved so tempting, we completed it across two separate outings...

- Our driver is in position -

Part One of our twofold tale takes place on the afternoon of Friday 23rd October 2026 when soggy Shrewsbury gets jettisoned in favour of Upper Gornal and Sedgley. The Board are no strangers to wet weather contingencies although the elements have thrown up particularly unpleasant conditions, hence our Pipers Row rendezvous being accompanied by an almighty downpour. Splashing our way to St George's Parade, we intercept the trusty 1 for a TUAG (Turn Up and Go) rumble into Gornal where the Britannia can provide solace from the storm. Bathams Best Bitter in Sally's Parlour is always hard to beat, munching our way through the pub's latest cob delivery while old boys chat about the poor beer quality at their Golf Club.

- The Bald Spot spies a Stripey Oss -

The Secretary doesn't need much persuading to revisit Gornal, knowing that he can cash in a sleeve surprise if the cards fall right. The Stripey Oss on Kent Street's 1960s shopping parade had its shutters down at the first time of asking but obligingly opens up after 1pm; the zebra theme is good fun but our darting exploits become a trial of back room endurance. For once, WME Whirlwind is hitting the board regularly but he lacks the clinical edge for those crucial checkouts. D9 Destroyer by contrast is hitting trebles all over the shop (albeit mostly going bust as a result) and takes a 5-1 lead to the Jolly Crispin. The scoring there is tighter, a 3-3 draw being powered by Neepsend's 6% Typhon pale ale, meaning the Chairman ends up 8-4 in credit. Some Whirlwind consolation is gained from a crafty 101 outshot and the ale is great.

- Rebel Rosie's -

One Upper Gornal pub we won't be able to sample is the Spills Meadow, which is currently all boarded up with skips outside. With that crossed off our agenda, the number 1 briskly powers us into Sedgley for a sampling of Sanzibar (partaking of Draught Bass and Three Tuns Cleric's Cure) followed by the White Horse, the latter a bastion of Carling and avid horse racing on this evidence. Friday's Silly Songs are duly traded: 'Statutory Right of Entry' by Richard Stilgoe from the WME playlist, then the Mrs Mills piano-peddling version of 'Second Hand Rose' - she's no Barbra Streisand is Gladys! Another bus ride brings us back into Wolverhampton, alighting on Snow Hill to check out The Bricks which turns out to put much more emphasis on the kitchen than the bar in terms of its 'Kitchen Bar' operations. Rebel Rosie's is interesting, occupying industrial buildings which were once part of Express & Star news production.

- The Secretary takes a DIVE -

The Chairman takes quite a shine to Rebel Rosie's actually, and we could envisage returning sometime to test ourselves on their glitzy darts lanes or shuffleboards. It is pitched at students and sport lovers so could get lively when a big match is on, but we found it likeable enough. Mr WME's sleeves then start twitching again: we all know that D9 loves his dives but a venue actually called DIVE is a new one on us, and can be found above the ex-Exchange pub (or De Fusion in modern parlance) via three flights of dimly lit stairs. Worries that we are about to enter a Sinderella's strip club are thankfully allayed by the sight of a drinking den with its own vintage pinball games room. Tall glasses of Freedom lager help us to feel at home, then the Secretary makes a sharpish exit to attend to quizzing matters in Tettenhall. A Team Bears debut for Bookworm Bygrave results (or coincides) with a long overdue victory - hurrah!

- Back aboard the number 1 -

Speaking of Tettenhall, that end of the #1 route must not escape hub scrutiny so the Board reconvenes on Monday 26th October for an evening blast. Little has changed since Friday in fairness - the weather is still awful, the Secretary is still wearing his red tent anorak and the Chairman's hair hasn't miraculously grown back. Flagging down our steed on Lichfield Street opposite the Art Gallery, we make speedy progress out to the Newbridge as an A41 roadhouse landmark operated by the Stonehouse group. Daily carveries are the stock-in trade here but we swerve the roast dinners in deference to glasses of Carling, Mr D9 digesting bombshell news regarding the imminent works departure of Head Hub.

- On yer bike, Chairman? -

From this point on, the pubs are all reasonably close together - certainly within easy walking distance - although this doesn't stop the Chairman from contemplating using one of those Lime e-bikes that seem to be everywhere now. The Swan on Lower Street is another Carling contender and has been opened out more since we last saw it (which admittedly was the best part of twelve and a half years ago). 1970s Wolverhampton Wanderers programme covers are the Secretary's kind of decor and sports fans are well catered for thanks to numerous screens. Old Hill has us rapidly revising my assessment about 'easy' walking distance; it's actually quite a steep climb to reach the Two Greens, an establishment some readers may remember better as being called the Rock Hotel. Greene King ales and comfortable surroundings are the result, albeit perhaps upstaged by a Ronnie Barker silly song - 'There's A Lot Of It About' you know!

- The Carpenters Arms -

There are two further taverns to complete our Tettenhall Village set, Mr WME taking pity on D9 by not insisting on revisiting the Crown at Wergs (scene of an all-time expensive round). The Chairman instead finds himself in line for a nifty discount courtesy of the Dog & Gun over on Wrottesley Road, £3.50 each for good quality Plum Porter and Jaipur isn't bad going these days. We can then finish at Tettenhall's newest addition, the Carpenters Arms as based in a High Street premises which used to be the Chill Wine Bar, and a dressmaking shop before that. The refit seems very tasteful, creating a vibe which feels very much like a traditional alehouse with extra capacity via a lounge room upstairs. The beer is on top form tonight, Hobson's Town Crier and Purple Moose's Dark Side of the Moose both meeting with our esteemed approval while the cobs are massive. What a lovely landing point - cheers!

Yet More Leamington Larks...

Nick has a long and storied habit of unearthing startling surprises when he introduces me to new haunts on his home patch, so what random finds would be revealed during our latest Leamington get-together?

- Railway History Mural -

Trip Log: Friday 16th October 2026 and I'm all set for Warwickshire as the 09:39 Bournemouth train takes me directly from Wolverhampton to Leamington Spa. His Majesty is waiting to greet me on the platform and we descend the stairwell to find a pair of interesting railway history murals depicting the likes of George Stephenson, Richard Trevithick and a very stern Queen Victoria (looking unimpressed about her titchy crown). The now-customary York Walk wander allows nice views of the old library, River Leam and bandstand before we get down to beery business by sampling the current Wetherspoons real ale festival at the Benjamin Satchwell. The pub is undergoing an external facelift although a big blue banner declares it is very much still open, hence we can avail ourselves of Oolong ESB as infused with Chinese tealeaves.

- Model moments at the Great Western -

Nick's most important target for the day is an outlying pub at a place called Deppers Bridge, so the number 665 Flexibus is our main means of getting there. The route runs roughly every two hours, careful planning therefore being needed to ensure we catch the 12:14 working outside Leamington's Parish Church. The bus arrives on time, wiggles up the Tachbrook Road then through Harbury and Bishops Itchington before dropping us off right by the Great Western - that linked well! Apparently this place was closed for several years but has been triumphantly brought back to life, even retaining the model railway it was long famous for. Watching the miniature fleet whizzing around at ceiling level makes for excellent entertainment whilst we sup a decent drop of Draught Bass, noting also a little collection of rail-related literature. 

- A Beermat Chandelier -

Having successfully flagged down our return 665 - Nick providing the necessary outstretched arm to get the driver's attention - we will spend the rest of the day subjecting Leamington to our usual brand of scrutiny. The Boiler Room is an obvious choice given that the bus sets down immediately outside; we'd been to this craft microbar previously (during Festive Forage activities) and it's certainly much quieter in the middle of the afternoon. It takes us some time to make sense of the long chalkboard of craft options but we wisely swerve the 8.4% Tartarus in favour of London Black and a Strawberry Sundae ice cream sour. Heading up the Parade again, we include a call at The House which is a trendy venue that can be booked for private parties. I love their chandelier as fashioned out of vintage beermats, I think one of those would be ideal for the WME bedroom! Halves of Safari Pale Ale and Guinness keep us lubricated here, noting the presence of a shuffleboard table for anybody feeling competitive.

- OMG at the Bedford Street Bar -

Onwards, and after a Bejamin Satchwell repeat this time for food (a royal Fishy Friday deal is too much to resist and there might have been a coriander-laced Ukrainian ale in the mix), we proceed along Bedford Street. The eponymous bar is another haunt we'd sampled on a prior occasion but retains its jazzy vibe, mingling with Sky Sports screens and hints of neon strobe lighting. Arguably the standout features here are the scatter cushions, featuring lip motifs or takeaway coffee cups, although comedy cobwebs are a reminder that Halloween is near. The bar claims to have Leamington's biggest beer garden and no doubt gets lively on an evening.

- A Spicy Librarian? Whatever Next! -

I'm getting used to Leamington surprising me with the most bizarre discoveries imaginable so I should have known there'd be something tucked up those knowing royal sleeves - but a spicy librarian? Really? This is a remarkable bookstore, specialising in romance fiction, romantasy and many other subgenres. We peek inside to see a cocktail counter along with several bays laden with love-themed literature. The store is prominent on Instagram and has its own line of merchandise too; given the potentially risque nature of some of the material, access is adults only (18+) but the setting feels very welcoming and you could easily curl up with a book. We follow that niche find by heading a couple of doors further along to the Beer Lodge, based in what used to be Jephson's Bar (and before that, the Tavistock). Phipps's Bison drinks nicely amidst an urban retreat setting and is billed as a beast of a brown ale - we concur.

- Magnificent Mead -

Where next? In true Flanagan and Allen style, Nick recommends we sample the LeamFest event underneath the arches so we shuffle back along the Parade and aim south of the river. We've done a few of these railway units before (notably Windmill Hill, Southbound and Brubl) but Hive is new to us, majoring on mead. Their £6 premium flight enables us to have three thirds: Hive Mind Pure Honey (3.4%), Hive Mind Honey + Ginger (also 3.4%) and Hive Mind Tavern Mead, utterly gorgeous at 8%, while managing to handle our paddles without spilling a drop of precious cargo. I'm hugely impressed by the whole setup, nicely lit with trains rumbling above, and they do stock cider and craft beer if fermented honey isn't really your thing.

- Sampling the Lucky Shiba Sake Bar -

The aforementioned Windmill Hill and Brubl are participating in the festivities, each having live music on the go and some enticing brews to tickle those tastebuds - I particularly enjoy a dark half of Byatt's All Day Foreign Extra Stout. Our mead diversions have however put us in the mood to try something that little bit different, hence the prospect of the Lucky Shiba Sake Bar simply cannot be ignored. Every drink here is expertly sourced from Japan, including the One Cup sake jars which seem to be a big seller. We opt for the slightly safer ground of the Kirin Ichiban premium lager, perched by the bar munching on very tasty edamame beans. With that our revels must end and the 21:16 train is on hand to take me home, stunned by another madcap voyage of unexpected Leamington revelations. Cheers!

Charlecote Park

Bookworm Bygrave has quietly turned another year older, and our way of marking the occasion is to take a little ride out to Charlecote Park near Stratford-upon-Avon. Now overseen by the National Trust, the house has Tudor elements and has been home to the Lucy family for several centuries, while the surrounding parkland promises riverside walks with the chance of spotting deer (and other animals)...

- Shepherdess Sculpture? -

One of Warwickshire's grandest stately homes awaits our consideration as we take the M42 and A429, pulling onto Charlecote's overflow car park because the main area is already full. Beyond the reception hut, we cross a lane lined with spindle plank fences to reach the long elegant approach avenue. This in turn leads to the separate gatehouse with twin turrets either side of a central carriage arch. One of the lodge rooms hosts a ‘Setting the Scene' display detailing the history of the Lucy genealogical line - the family have lived here for over 800 years and still retain their own private rooms. There's a front lawn area with trailing creepers and decorative gatepost urns, happily the sun is coming out to show off the stonework.

- Jacob Sheep -

We'll save the stately pile for later and try to make the most of the improving brightness in that case. A parkland stroll passes a duckpond with a solitary swan before Place Meadow presents a flock of grazing Jacob sheep - they mostly have white fleeces but with distinctive splodgey brown patterning, not to mention short horns. The pasture also offers lovely views of Hampton Lucy church, more on which shortly. Apparently the legendary Lancelot 'Capability' Brown was involved in the landscaping of Charlecote Park during the 1760s and all these years later the gardens and house still form a magnificent combination beside the River Avon. The ha-ha wall and River Dene cascade are examples of Brown's design contributions.

- Caramel Apple Crumble Cake -

The Orangery tearoom beckons for apple crumble cake and caramel shortbread, providing the tiny swarming midges leave us be. Emily must have cake on her birthday, it’s imperative! After that tasty treat, we explore the main house. Sections of it genuinely date to Tudor times but the majority of what we can see today is a Victorian endeavour, fashionably designed in the Elizabethan Revival style. The entrance hall boasts family portraits then the dining room has an elaborate table setting of cut crystal glass and candlesticks. Emily absolutely adores the library, a cupboard here is still used for storing vintage games and toys. The billiards table is covered top to bottom with a cute collection of knitted pumpkins before there's a tight spiral staircase to the upstairs rooms... 

- Charlecote House -

Two principal bed chambers convey a sense of wealth while other spaces along the first floor hallway take on a ‘Library of Memories’ purpose, capturing stories from living and working on the Charlecote estate over the centuries. A sewing bud voting system is in place for deciding the focus of their next exhibition - should this be special artefacts, global influences or daily experiences? Among the well-preserved outbuildings, a laundry and brewhouse present a giant barrel cooperage and strung out smalls; the brewhouse is said to be an especially rare survival given that most of its 18th century fittings are in situ.

- Pumpkin Parade -

Elsewhere, the Servants’ Kitchen has another tabletop yarn pumpkin mound - there must be sixty or more crafted items heaped up here for that comforting sense of autumn. Across the cobbled stable courtyard, the Lucy family’s Carriage Collection comprises successive bays for carts, coaches and carriages with their associated tack store - the conveyance designs get increasingly more elaborate as we go from room to room while the equipment stash covers saddles, reins and stirrups. Another outhouse has been repurposed as a second hand bookshop where Emily has a good rummage around, hoping for a birthday bargain.

- Bookworm on the Bridge -

West Park awaits on the other side of the stone bridge that straddles the River Dene (an Avon tributary which wiggles off through Wellesbourne). A Deer Park was established at Charlecote in 1477 although the current incumbents are wisely keeping their distance, meaning we need good eyesight to spot any fallow specimens roaming around on the horizon. We perambulate along the avenue of trees towards West Lodge, an outer gate that resonates from bus rides with Nick. More sheep and goats prove easier to spot than the deer, and though we loop back towards the car park, there are around 200 acres to explore in total. Dogs are welcome in the Front Park and there are designated walking routes where you can take your four-legged friends without disturbing the other animals.

- St Peter ad Vincula -

The next village along from Charlecote also has important Lucy family connections, hence the name Hampton Lucy; historically many of the local residents would have found employment on the estate. We wander around the church as dedicated to St Peter ad Vincula, the current building being an 1820s reconstruction in the Gothic Revival style. The stained glass windows are utterly glorious and partially incurred wartime damage when an American airplane crashed nearby. The grandeur of the architecture would be more befitting of a much larger settlement but this in itself is evidence of Charlecote’s wealth in funding the rebuild. Either way, this is a real charmer of a musty church with a padlocked offerings slot and portraits of the former rectors, some of whom have dramatic sounding names. 

- Timothy Taylor's in the Boars Head -

Passing a red telephone box repurposed as a pop-up library, we note the presence of beautiful cottages with immaculate thatched roofs. The village pub isn’t quite as chocolate box-worthy as those but the Boars Head still looks the part and is operated by the Jackimo Group, The entrance door has an orange harvest wreath while the front bar feels relatively contemporary for a boozer that's been here a long time. Timothy Taylor's Landlord in its own branded glass makes for nice quaffing as we perch on high stools by a stencilled boar oval, the pre-match preparations underway for Croatia v England on the big screens. Suitably refreshed, we can return to the Bookworm residence to continue the birthday celebrations with friends. Cheers!

Stirchley Saturday, Showground Sunday

A weekend double-header with Bookworm Bygrave sees us spending Saturday evening on the Stirchley Beer Mile in the company of Zoe and Mike, before Sunday takes us to the Three Counties Showground for the Malvern Autumn Show...

- The Stirchley Gorilla -

The Stirchley district of Birmingham has become a real hotspot for up-and-coming venues specialising in craft beer, street food and good times. There must be a dozen or more places we could sample strung out either side of the Pershore Road but we have a hitlist in mind, starting with The Den which I think used to be a card shop. Several Deya beers are being showcased here, including my pick of a New England pale ale called 'Magazine Cover'. We settle in under a 'Make Time For Pints' smoking frog poster and try to outdo each other over a game of Anomia, requiring quick recall of jazz musician names or palindromes - would the Stirchley gorilla approve?

- Glasshouse Beer Co. -

The Waterside Business Park alone is home to at least three drinking establishments, of which the Glasshouse Beer Co. taproom is definitely our top target. Looking out over the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, it has a few beer benches inside and the familiar sight of Crispmalt sacks piled up by the brewing equipment. From the extensive range, my liking for real ale results in a cracking pint of Aoraki as their main cask offering, tasting as fresh and clean as I could wish for; Zoe really likes the Anemones provided we pronounce it correctly (this is a crushable orange peach beer apparently) then Mike entertains us with Donald Trump impressions. We're also briefly joined by Hannah and Alex for a quick pint prior to a gig they're attending, hence chatting about university welcome weeks, Black Country Type photobooks and the philosophical stroking of beards.

- Trying Trillium -

 A few units further along is the Brew Export Beer Cave specialising in American craft lines, the physical space being similar to Glasshouse. Trillium Brewing's 'Boat Under Train Under Car Under Plane' is a total mouthful in more ways than one but I rather like it for a fruity brew. We then amble over to Mary Vale Road and make Attic our second brewery tap of the evening but it is absolutely heaving with folks watching the England vs Spain football match; we just about squeeze in for a standing perch while accounting for beers such as Quarter and Clasp, hearing rather than seeing the goals flying in. Deadbeat looks very interesting as a dive bar concept but our collective craving for curry means we will finish off at the Kolkata restaurant where the usually spice-averse Bookworm Bygrave braves the Butter Chicken - I think Emily's tastebuds lived to tell the tale. We might only have scratched the surface of Stirchley this time around but that's all the more reason to go back - watch this space...

- The Wheatsheaf Vintage Pub -

Sunday's action takes us to the Three Counties Showground on the outskirts of Malvern where the Autumn Show has been in full swing all weekend. The remit is to celebrate the produce of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire as well as being a primary showcase for the best in local agriculture and horticulture. The Bygravemobile is ushered into car park N8, positioning us handily by the North Gate entrance close to a vintage fairground. We've not long arrived when we spot the Wheatsheaf as a 1940's themed pub based in a repurposed portakabin. It aims to raise money for veterans charities - a most worthy cause - and serves up a cracking drop of Teme Valley's T'other amber ale. The period vibe is evoked through pre-decimal coins, a rotary dial telephone and an Edith Piaf soundtrack emanating from an old wireless set.

- Googly-eyed Vegetables -

The Harvest Pavilion awaits next for googly eyed pumpkins and long stringy carrots - these aren't even the giant specimens, just standard produce but are clearly grown with much love. The Floral Art section has lots of imaginative installations depicting Christmas dining tables, choral music stands, graffiti and other themes where you have to admire the creative thinking involved. Cards beside each exhibit indicate which ones are the main prizewinners, from Show Champions to Gold, Silver Gilt and Bronze medallists through to the lower placings.

- Snuffling among the Cider Apples -

Continuing by way of the Orchard & Hop Tent, this celebrates everything related to local apples, pears, quinces and beer ingredients. Several regional producers have their own stalls so I'm spoiled for choice in terms of whose wares I'm most keen to sample. Ultimately I opt for the Ross on Wye Autumn Cider, a 7.2% heavyweight half which gets supped whilst watching a scratting machine demo using the ‘Norman’ variety; the ripened cider apples are converted to a mash or pulp similar to porridge in order to better extract their juice for fermenting. This is a time honoured process which requires much skill for recognising when the apples are at their harvesting peak. A cheeky straw pig seems to be enjoying any leftover windfall specimens!

- A Pastry Pause -

Unsurprisingly busy irrespective of a sudden shower, the Food Hall presents a full range of gourmet goodies so there are pies, cakes and pastry products at every turn. I spot a craft beer flag and duly investigate for half of Copper Beech's Dog Days, the name of the beer sealing the deal in reference to Mabel and Hank - Emily seemed to appreciate the gesture. We keep out of the worsening rain by checking out the Giant Vegetable Championship Hall, some of the exhibits are ridiculous!! Massive marrows and ginormous pumpkins need to be seen to be believed, they must weigh a tonne (well several tonnes actually). The Craft Hall however is where Emily's heart really lies, finding greetings cards and coasters galore. One artist has a machine for dispensing prints at £1 a go - we initially get double badgers but exchange one for a frog design. A quick stroll back past the classic tractors seals the deal, and something tells me we might be back in spring for further Three Counties fun. Cheers!