History of Pubs and Breweries of the Midlands Region

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Worro, I like a whole host of things such as cycling, drinking beer, history, architecture, photography, music and cinema. My interests and passions are all featured within this website in no particular order. I hope you find something you like.

Note : you will not find the West Midlands on this site. As I focus on historical material I do not recognise the Local Government Acts of 1972 and 1974. So, if you are interested in the Black Country have a look at my Staffordshire and Worcestershire sections. Same rules apply when I am cycling in other parts of the UK. For example, If I write about Liverpool I am in Lancashire not Merseyside.

Warning : if I find you have copied any material on this site, be it text or images, I will come after you. I have put in the hours, took the photographs, paid for the historical images, and presented it online for people to enjoy NOT to steal and take the credit.

Watermarks : Sadly, due to Muppets half-inching my images and posting them on other platforms, I have been forced to place watermarks and logos on my images. This sucks, but blame the idiots not me.

Integrity : if, like me, you are tired or annoyed by some of the drivel you read in local history books and online, I can promise that the information on this site is, to the best of my knowledge and efforts, accurate. Have a look at my methodology for more information. If you prefer twaddle I suggest you head off to a social media site.

Offensive : I was born on Lye Waste so I am as rough as they come. I am a straight-talker and not afraid to swear. In fact, I like swearing. If you are going to be offended by such language DO NOT ENTER.

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Once again I find myself having to correct the errors of John Richards, Tony Hitchmough, Steve James and Joseph McKenna who all compounded incorrect information when discussing Thomas Plant & Co. Ltd. of the Steam Brewery at Netherton, a company that was acquired by Ansell's in 1936.

A fact-checked look back at The Case Is Altered at Shrewley, one of the great pubs of Warwickshire but perhaps not as old as they say.

A brief look back at the White Lion Inn at Alcester, a pub rebuilt in the mid-1930s but closed in 2016. The building has since been transformed into semi-detached houses but the page looks back on 200 years of history of the Evesham Street hostelry.

Some historical notes on the Manor Arms at Abberley in Worcestershire, a pub formerly known as the Bromley Arms and located in the old village across from the remains of the ancient church.

Join me on a 2024 tour of Cradley Heath, a once mighty industrial town reduced to a dump by a complete lack of investment in the fabric and people. WARNING : contains offensive material and swearing so DO NOT click on the link if you are a snowflake.

I have compiled notes on around 100 years of history surrounding the Railway Hotel at Nettlestead, amid the old hop-growing heartlands of the Garden of England. A rare survivor of Nettlestead and Wateringbury, it is a pub that has had three inn signs over the years.

I have dabbled with some historical stuff relating to the The Victoria at Hackney, along with some background to this part of The Wick, particulary the Mission established by Eton College.

Forget the rubbish you may have read about the Old Bush Revived at Blackheath, particularly the nonsense written by Steve Pratt. I have taken a deep dive into this hostelry and published a history based on FACTS not FICTION.

There does not seem to be much out there on Bent's Brewery Co. Ltd. and what there is has errors, compounded on various platforms and media. So, I thought I would have a look at what I could find on this brewery that can be traced back to the 1890s. The brewery at Liverpool was certainly headed by some interesting and prominent people.

After visiting Heswall at Wirral, I undertook a little digging into the story of the Black Horse Hotel and part of the extraordinary life of Thomas Montgomery. The pub has gone through a sticky period of late so I can only hope that it survives.

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A modest gallery of historic photographs of Abbot's Bromley in Staffordshire.

A small gallery of historic and contemporary photographs of Oswestry in Shropshire, along with a little bit of info on the Bell Inn, thought to be the oldest tavern in the town.

I have uploaded some images of Aldershot in Hampshire, including a couple of Aldershot Camp, a garrison that was formed in 1854.

Some history on the Three Crowns at Rockcliffe in Cumberland. Read how, in 1852, a message in a bottle from the ill-fated RMS Amazon turned up at the pub.

A short history of Frederic Robinson Limited at Stockport in Cheshire, a brewery heading towards its 200th anniversary and is unique in remaining an independent family-run enterprise.

A review of the rather wonderful House of Bird, a brewery tap, tasting room and restaurant, located near Diemen, around six kilometres from the centre of Amsterdam.

Fancy a trip to Gent in België - that is Ghent in Belgium by the way - then have a browse at my ongoing online guide to this terrific city. More to be added of course, but there is plenty to make a start on a decent town trail.

I have had a go at debunking the myths and some of the twaddle to produce some of the facts behind the Spaniard's Inn at Hampstead Heath in London. It is such an interesting building it is a shame it is such a rubbish pub.

Some notes on the Metal Bridge Inn at Rockcliffe in Cumberland. The page includes photographs of the iron bridge used by Thomas Telford in 1820 to span the River Esk.

A look at the Horse and Groom on Great Portland Street in London. This is not my neck of the woods but I could not resist looking into this pub. Forget the nonsense you may find out there - this is the 3rd building on this site. A previous structure was destroyed by fire in which three people died. Oh, and it is much older than others say - it was trading in 1761.

Some rare photographs of Great Charles Street at Birmingham coupled with plenty of information. I particularly like the Church Parade of the Birmingham Tramway Men.

I turn my attention to an inter-war building with some details on the Good Companions at Coventry Road at South Yardley. It was designed by the renowned architect Samuel Nathaniel Cooke Jr., though it is a curious confection.

A look back at the Blooming Heather at Rockcliffe in Cumberland. This page features the rather gruesome but titanic struggle between two men and a giant sturgeon.

I have made a start on a page for Moseley Road at Birmingham with some previously unpublished photographs.

Podcast episode for the Black Swan Hotel on Bromsgrove Street, a beautiful pub swept away in the 1970s. Hear about the erudite publican who held debates in the club room and another who died in a bizarre fashion.

Scant information but some notes on the Boat House Inn at Rockcliffe in Cumberland. The former tavern still has a board featuring an ode to Honest Will the ferryman.

A decent-sized account of the Villa Tavern at Lozells, a pub with connections to both Birmingham City F.C. and Aston Villa. The page also includes information on the adjacent watch factory that later became a bicycle works. Oh, and if you cannot be bothered to read it all there is a link to a podcast in which I waffle on about the place for you.

A look back at the Loyal Lodge at the bottom of Furnace Hill at Halesowen in Worcestershire. The building is dated 1736 but who were the first occupants? Well, I have discussed my research - none the wiser of course!

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