Llandudno... then Blakedown?

Sometimes the quirks of my explorational output produce some unusual combinations, and I doubt there are too many blogposts out there that have paired together the North Wales seaside resort of Llandudno and the small Worcestershire village of Blakedown. That odd coupling is exactly what I have in store for you now as I recount two recent summertime excursions...

- The White Rabbit -

After a prolonged spell of fairly disappointing weather, it has started to feel like summer again over the last few days. The sun was certainly shining on Monday 7th August 2023 when the Beardsmores and I joined the Emerald Club pensioners for an old-fashioned day trip to lovely Llandudno. The coach was very comfortable and the outward journey largely serene, save for a bit of congestion around Stoke - the main issue, at least for Stephen, was having to listen to Daniel O'Donnell non-stop for the best part of three hours but what else do you expect when most of the passengers have Irish connections. Arriving in Llandudno just after midday, we get our bearings with assistance from some Alice in Wonderland carvings including the White Rabbit as positioned in North Western Gardens (off Mostyn Street). 

- Enjoying the views from Llandudno Pier -

Another of Llandudno's prime attractions is the town pier, a Grade II listed structure which stretches 2,295 feet into the Irish Sea. Said to be the longest pier in Wales, it first opened to the public in August 1877 and offers some spectacular views looking out along the elegant seafront promenade or over towards the Great Orme. There are several little kiosks along its length and a domed pavilion at the far end, not to mention amusement arcades and kiddies teacup rides. We don't witness any wild mountain goats on this occasion although they have been known to wander down from their craggy home and take over the town's streets.

- The Grand Hotel -

Overlooking part of the pier is the Grand Hotel, keeping close watch on holiday happenings from its North Shore location whilst a Punch & Judy show is entertaining young and old alike - that's the way to do it! Feeling peckish, we seek out Wetherspoons sustenance courtesy of the Palladium, a converted former theatre which has been operating as a pub since 2001. The building is very impressive inside and out with a Baroque-styled exterior and plenty of period details, such as the retained prestige boxes where the stage used to be. Even though we'd intended to miss the lunchtime peak, the place is still packed out and we're fortunate to find a spare table. Gammon is mysteriously absent from the menu and there seems to be an egg shortage too but we manage to get ourselves fed and watered, whereby I'm rather partial to my pint of Conwy Brewery's Beachcomber blonde ale.

- The Mad Hatter -

More seafront strolling helps our meals go down, aided and abetted by that staple indulgence of a 99 ice cream - just beware of divebombing seagulls trying to steal a flake or two! We go along the prom as far as the Washington Hotel, passing the Venue Cymru conferencing arena en route (the Welsh Open Snooker tournament was held here earlier this year). Artworks depicting Orme tramcars and grizzled goats brighten up a selection of shelters while the Mad Hatter ensures the Alice in Wonderland theme continues. After a happy few hours of sun and sea, we board the coach home and endure even more of Daniel O'Donnell's extensive repertoire, albeit interspersed with occasional Foster & Allen tunes as a blessed relief!

- Churchill & Blakedown Signal Box -

Let's fast forward now to Friday 11th August 2023 when - minus any further musical input from 'The Boy from Donegal' - I'm aiming closer to my usual patch by undertaking a Worcestershire walk. Blakedown is a Wyre Forest District village of roughly 1,600 inhabitants which straddles the A456 Birmingham Road between Hagley and Kidderminster. It also has its own unstaffed railway station with trains running every half hour or so; I gather selected pictures of either platform but my favourite feature has to be the Churchill & Blakedown Signal Box, a heritage item that had been threatened with demolition in 2012 but was thankfully repositioned on the other side of the level crossing and now serves as a community meeting place.

- Blakedown Village Stores -

Many of Blakedown's amenities are clustered along the A456 including the C of E Primary School (with little pupil figurines standing sentry outside) and St James the Great Church which seems very keen indeed to advertise the fact it is open daily. The village store is based in Crumbs complete with post office provision, and there are a couple of high end hair salons dotted about too. I contemplate venturing the three miles it would take to get to Belbroughton but soaring temperatures are already making me somewhat sticky, hence I only get as far as Hackmans Gate before deciding to turn back.

- The Swan -

Whether I'd made it to Belbroughton or not, Blakedown's brace of boozers were always going to be claiming my custom so I start off with the Swan, billing itself as a country pub and eating house. Having gained recognition in the 2023 Good Beer Guide, I have high expectations of this one and the Hartlebury Hooker is certainly on point as I squirrel myself away in a low-beamed cubby hole. My attendance hasn't escaped the notice of the resident dog however, and I soon have canine doe eyes plaintively staring at me hoping that I'll share my packet of scratchings. Some gentle stroking placates said pooch before I relocate up the road into the Old House at Home for a Wye Valley HPA and the lunchtime news bulletin. Both pubs struck me as nice community locals I'd be happy to frequent more often.

- Hagley Station Footbridge -

Duly refreshed, I bid farewell to Blakedown by steadily plodding along the A456 past Webbs Garden Centre and Stakenbridge Lane into West Hagley. You can probably guess what I've got in mind here, and the King Arthur Bathams pub will predictably crop up for Best Bitter and my cheese, onion and black pudding cob fix - it doesn't get any better than that! I always like popping back to Hagley Station from time to time, surveying the lattice footbridge and booking hall in the summer sunshine, and then it's simply a case of letting the train take the strain as I make my way home. Wales and Worcestershire? All in a week's work!