A short post this time as my ‘summer tour of the M42’ continues with a rare foray into Worcestershire and heading out into Brummie countryside.
With trips to Kingsbury and Whitacre Heath (I’ve not managed Chelmsley Wood as yet) recently undertaken then this stretch of motorway from Worcestershire through to Asbhy De La Zouch is rivalling the A514.
(spot the pub…between Bromsgrove, Redditch and Solihull)
Russ’ favourite A road takes in a host of boozers through Derbyshire and Staffordshire and whilst the M42 is less picturesque, there are some hot spots!
Knowle at Junction 5, Shirley at Junction 4, Balsall Common and Meriden at Junction 6 Coleshill and surrounding villages at Junction 9, Kingsbury and Fazeley at Junction 10 along with Ashby De La Zouch at Junction 13.
However, after a work jaunt down south to Tidworth with my pal and his daughter then the M42 loomed into view at just after midday on Monday.
Just off J3 is one of those hidden gem boozers that I’d not been to for the best part of 20 years.
Tucked away in Weatheroak Hill is 564 – The Coach & Horses B48 7EA and I remember I regarded this as the ultimate hidden boozer before I moved to Derbyshire.
Not too far away from Birmingham City’s training ground at Wast Hills in West Heath, the same family has run this place for half a century.
It’s been a Free House for 40 years and is everything you would want in a ‘country boozer.’ It’s got an onsite brewery (Weatheroak Hill Brewery), a traditional bar with quarry tiles and fire, a refurbed lounge and an extra restaurant attached so it catches the family eating trade as well as gentlefolk whilst the accents were treacle thick Brummie.
(not this time)
A good crowd in for just after midday on a Monday and happy to report that the Cheese cob was sensational and my pal was delighted with the Scotch Egg.
The Icknield Pale Ale (Weatheroak Hill) was magnificent and this place looks like it’s here to stay for another 50 years.
If you live in a Solihull/Birmingham suburb then forget about the Lickey Hills or Clent Hills as this place IS the countryside.
Well worth a visit and the Cheese Cobs are as good as I’ve had in a long while!
I remember going there several times in the late 70s when I was at University and living in Cotteridge. The appeal of escaping the dreaded duopoly of Ansells and M&B was only too obvious. One of its attractions was that it was one of the first pubs in the area to sell dry roasted peanuts.
One night my mate’s car wouldn’t start so we ended up having to walk 3½ miles home 😦
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That’s a massive trek!!! I feel your pain 😄 love the fact dry roasted peanuts were a reason to go to a pub 👍 great stuff
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The non-Ansells and M&B beer was more of an attraction 🙂
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They’ve still got keg mild on👍 yes I can imagine back in the day any cask not from Ansells or M&B was a relief!
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Actually, looking at the map again, I’d picked out the wrong PH sign, so it was more like 4½ miles 😦 😦
The other one is the Peacock which is now a Chef & Brewer.
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That’s the one near to the golf club? Yes, the coach and horses is a good trek from anywhere! I hope it was the summer…
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Still in the Beer Guide, been there nearly all the time I’ve been visiting GBG pubs, Great location. Never know whether it’s West Mids, Warwicks or Worcs (it’s Worcs !).
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Redditch Bromsgrove and alvechurch all feel like Birmingham overspills really but all classed as worcestershire…redraw the boundaries I say!!
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Pitchforks at the ready to repel invaders!
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Ha! They’ll be retreating to higher ground at the Lickey Hills!!
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Cracking looking pale ale… clearly just edged out of first place by the cheese cob though…😁
Cobs are rare down South – instead just limp looking things with posh seeds on top – nowhere near as good.
Mind you cobs can be a bit of a challenge for retired folks teeth – need to suck them until they’re soft🤐
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I know Martin and Mudgie struggle with their false teeth and cobs but they claim that northern teeth are tougher than southern teeth so you’d really struggle with those baps!!!!!
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One of the best Cheese & Onion cobs I’ve ever had was at the Black Bull’s Head, Openwoodgate near Belper – the ale was pretty good too.
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I’ve not been there Pete…and I’ve yet to have a bad recommendation from you so that is on my to do list!!!
I’ve not forgotten your Anstey tip and now Leicester is up and running I can check it out
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