Black Country and Birmingham Wetherspoon pubs

On a Spring Bank Holiday week holiday we visited three Wetherspoon pubs in the Black Country and three in Birmingham.

Although not a fan of Tim Martin for political reasons, the fact that Wetherspoon pubs open early and close late and can provide an acceptable meal at reasonable cost all day long, means they can be a useful refuge and 'pit stop' when on holiday. The absence of music and TV screens is another bonus.

After travelling to Stourbridge Town by train via Reading and Worcester and the Stourbridge Shuttle from Stourbridge Junction, we dodged the rain and lunched at the The Chequers Inn near the station.

Notable features here included craft glass items and a display at the entrance showing that 772 pints of ale were served in the previous week.

Every Wetherspoon pub has its own unique carpet design including The Chequers Inn (above).

After bus rides to Dudley for our hotel and then on to Sedgley where we visited Mount Pleasant and the Beacon Hotel we dined at The Clifton, previously a cinema.

The art deco streamline style architecture is reflected by the original 'fins' in the ceiling.

Wall displays included one with scenes from classic films.

The Clifton has a unique carpet design that sadly doesn't appear to have any art deco references.

We breakfasted at The Full Moon, Dudley, the next morning. The main front entrance (above) is on Dudley High Street and there is also a lower level back entrance on King Street.

A wall display describes how Dudley became known as the Capital of the Black Country and a centre for metalworking and mining with images including Baggeridge Colliery, Coalbrookdale Ironworks and Bradley Ironworks.

The Full Moon has its own carpet design. 

Now it was time to catch a bus and meet up with Mark Geeson and CAMRA friends at the Vine Inn, Brierley Hill, the home of Batham's beers. We returned to the Full Moon for a meal in the evening after subsequent visits to the Old Swan, Netherton and the Lamp Tavern, Dudley.

Work in Progress - Birmingham Wetherspoon pubs to be added here. ...