REAL ALE RAMBLE 340 Saturday January 18th

COVENTRY GBG PUBS

Meet at the Greyhound, Sutton Stop at 12 noon

This walk has become a long-standing New Year’s event. We visit all the pubs in the new Good Beer Guide in one day; fortunately this year there are only ten of them. We meet at 12 noon at the farthest flung pub, the GREYHOUND at Sutton Stop. Probably the best way to get there is by bus: the No 11 leaves Hales Street at 11.11 and reaches Longford Square at 11.32, then it is a short walk along the canal to Sutton Stop. The No 20 leaves Trinity Street at 11.23 and arrives at Longford Square at 11.40 whilst the No 22 leaves Pool Meadow Platform M at 11.25 and arrives at Victoria Farm at 11.54. An alternative may be the train to Coventry Arena Station and then along the canal.

Having arrived at Coventry’s favourite canalside pub we can all meet up and have a swift half before setting off at 12.30. I shall join the canal towpath here and walk as far as the Arena Shopping Park before following Bedlam Lane and Lythalls Lane to BYATT’S BREWERY: most people catch the bus along Foleshill Road.

After a short while there we rejoin the canal at Phoenix Way, just past the Blue Ribbon roundabout. We follow the canal parallel to Phoenix Way until, shortly after Stoke Basin there is a passage down to Swan Lane. We then go along Nicholls Street and cut through Hillfields Park to Paynes Lane. This leads to Far Gosford Street where we find TWISTED BARREL BREWERY in Fargo Village, with a wide range of home-brewed beers. Most people will have done this stretch by bus. After another swift drink we set off walking again.

Now the pubs come thick and fast. Under the Ring Road we come to the EARL OF MERCIA, the only Wetherspoons pub today, in the old Midland Bank building. The comes the GOLDEN CROSS, one of the most attractive ancient pubs in the city. After this a walk through the Precinct brings us to HOPS D’AMOUR, the newest bar on this walk, in a former shop premises and a real haven for ale drinkers.

Next we walk up Hill Street, unfortunately missing out the Town Wall Tavern as it has closed, to the GATEHOUSE, Martin McKeown’s pub in the former gatehouse to Leigh Mills. After this it is back down Hill Street and a short distance up Lower Spon Street to the OLD WINDMILL, another beautiful ancient pub run by Michelle Gilmour.

From the Old Windmill we walk up Spon Street, under the Ring Road to Broomfield Terrace where we find the BROOMFIELD TAVERN, Coventry’s county-pub-in-the-city, run by Angie and Graham. This is the penultimate call, so we continue to the last one by continuing along Broomfield Terrace, under the railway arches, across Hearsall Lane and through a path to Craven Street where we find the HEARSALL INN. Here we take the traditional team photograph of all those who have completed the entire walk, from the Greyhound to the Hearsall.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 341 Saturday February 22nd

STIRCHLEY MILE 2 miles & 6 or 7 pubs

This month we are going to walk the Stirchley Mile. This is a walk that the Coventry Branch of CAMRA did more than a year ago, so I have quite shamelessly cribbed it! Although it is called the Stirchley Mile you will have walked 2 miles by the time that we have visited all the venues.

We meet at Coventry station and catch the 11.27 train which arrives at Birmingham New Street at 11.48, where we change to the 11.53 to Bromsgrove. We arrive at Kings Norton at 12.08 and turn left out of the station to the roundabout at Cotteridge. Here we come to a micropub called the RED BEEER’D.

After 30 minutes we leave to follow Pershore Road past Dell Street and into the Waterside Business Park, where we find the GLASSHOUSE BREWERY. There have been rumours that this has closed, but in fact the bar has been closed while all hands we occupied satisfying the Christmas demand. I have been assured that the bar will have re-opened by the time that we are there.

After this we continued along Pershore Road as far as Hazelwell Road. This takes us to Stirchley Trading Estate where BIRMINGHAM BREWERY is based, with a most attractive outdoor drinking area.

Again we continue along Pershore Road as far as the BRITISH OAK, a pub well known for its oak panelled rooms. Although not as elaborate as the Barton’s Arms, this is Grade II Listed. It is a relatively intact 1920’s roadhouse pub. The original suite of rooms have survived with their original seating, ceiling plasterwork, fireplaces, flooring, stained glass windows and wood panelling.

Across the main road there is another micro-pub, the CORK & CAGE. Then slightly south there is the WILDCAT brewery tap at 1381-1383 Pershore Road. I couldn’t find this on my survey, so perhaps it is closed mid-week. Lets hope we have better luck this time!

From here we continue south to Mary Vale Road and go uphill towards Bournville Station. ATTIC BREWERY BAR is just before the canal and railway bridge. When we finish here we can catch the next train to New Street. There are three an hour, so it shouldn’t take any planning.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 342 Saturday March 15th

STANDARD SWEET CENTRE 3 miles, 2 pubs and 1 Indian Cafe

This month we are going to explore the back streets of Foleshill. Not the most scenic of walks and there is plenty of rubbish scattered around, but there are also some fascinating sights, industrial archaeology and parts of the city we don’t usually visit.

We meet at 12noon at BYATT’S BREWERY in Lythall’s Lane Industrial Estate. At 12.30 we set off along Lythall’s Lane towards Foleshill Road. At the corner we find Copper Beech Close on our right. Past a couple of houses we follow the close as it becomes a path. It passes the old Dunlop sports field and Holbrook Primary School, and then takes a bridge over Phoenix Way to Beresford Avenue. We turn right and on the right side of the road is an industrial area, once the site of the Riley car factory.

We turn left into Medina Road, then Victory Road and St. Mary’s Road. Pennington Way is next and where Rocken End starts we find a path that takes us to Station Street West. Left along here we pass the old Angel Inn, now a Punjabi Vegetarian Restaurant: now there’s a possible future walk!

We soon come to the STANDARD SWEET CENTRE on the crossroads at Foleshill Road, where we can indulge in spicy snacks or sweet confections.

After half an hour we move on along Eld Road. We pass St. Elizabeth’s Roman Catholic Church and turn right into Cross Road. We walk past Gallagher Retail Park on the site of Alfred Herbert’s factory. Soon we have the opportunity of another break at the SIGNAL BOX.

Another 30 minutes later we join the canal towpath and walk parallel to the old Alfred Herbert’s site on the opposite bank. At one point we pass an old milestone with 3 and 2 on its faces. I guess that is 3 miles from Coventry basin and 2 miles to Hawkesbury Junction. Opposite is a view through the factory site to Cross Road. Soon we join Phoenix way and walk back to Lythall’s Lane to return to BYATTS again.

FUTURE EXPEDITIONS

All meeting times are 12 noon, unless specified otherwise.

These details are also available at in the ECHO newspaper and at https://coventry.camra.org.uk/viewnode.php?id=57922

April 12 HENLEY IN ARDEN Meet at Black Swan

May LIST YOUR LOCAL (Beer, Winter 2024 edition, P6) – Five pubs

Ye Olde Leathern Bottel, 40 Vicarage Road, Wednesbury

Pretty Bricks, 5 John Street, Walsall

Duke William, 25 Coventry Street, Stourbridge

Mitre Inn, Lower High Street, Stourbridge

Queens Head, 111 Enville Street, Stourbridge

June LUXURY BAKERY, STOKE

SUNDAY LUNCH WALKS

These walks all start at 12 noon. Copies of these walks can be obtained from Beer Gonzo in Earlsdon, or for more details contact moc.liamg@ttekculfg>

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 140 Sunday February 2nd

ALAN HIGGS CENTRE 2 miles & 1 cafe

I was unaware of the footbridge over the River Sowe here until my grand daughter pointed it out a couple of years ago. I have finally got around to organising a walk over it now.

We meet at 12 noon at COFA’S CAFE, part of the Alan Higgs Centre. In the last couple of years this cafe has moved within the building and become substantially bigger. Although dogs are not allowed inside, there are picnic tables outside, so it is possible that Teddy may be with us!

At 12.30 we set off past the football pitches. Towards the end of the pitches the path veers left down to the footbridge over the river. Over the bridge we go left and walk across the grassy meadows between the rivers and Willenhall. The path here was flooded in December, so I will have to go and check it out before we do the walk. Lets hope its not flooded in February.

Eventually we come to Tarquin Close. From there we go under the railway line and reach Langbank Avenue. Going left along the Avenue we pass a Social Club, Presbytery, church and school, all part of the Corpus Christi complex. The we join a path alongside the river and cross it by bridge again. Next we follow Allard Way under the railway and back to the Alan Higgs Centre for COFA’S CAFE again.

FUTURE EXPEDITIONS

All meeting times are 12 noon, unless specified otherwise.

Sunday March 2 BALSALL COMMON HERITAGE TRAIL

Sunday April 6 SOURCE OF THE RIVER SHERBOURNE

Sunday May SOURCE OF THE RIVER SOWE

Sunday June UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK SCULPTURE PARK

ARCHIVE (from Aug.2024)

REAL ALE RAMBLE 335 Saturday August 17 2024

HENLEY IN ARDEN 2 miles & 1 pub

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COMMENTS: This walk is definitely dog friendly!

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The old station buildings at Henley have recently been leased by the community and turned into a community-owned pub, which was also until recently the home of Henley Mile Brewery, so it is time to visit this pleasant little market town again. This time, instead of doing the usual obvious walks, such as the ice cream shop, High Street or castle mound, which we have plenty of times in the past, I thought we would walk the back streets and paths around the town, a sort-of beating the bounds, and most attractive it turned out to be.

We meet at 12 noon at the STATION and start walking at 12.30. Unfortunately the hourly trains from Birmingham Moor Street leave at 39 minutes past the hour and arrive at Henley at 17 minutes past. So its the 10.39 from Moor Street arriving at 11.17, or the 11.39 from Moor Street arriving at 12.17. Neither are particularly convenient, so I guess I shall be driving.

At 12.30 we start out and turn right out of the station approach and after fifty yards enter a footpath on the left. This passes a number of back streets before descending Barley Close to the A4189. Left here leads to the main cross roads, where there is a pedestrian crossing. Then after another few yards we enter Market Close, where Henley market used to stand. A right turn and across a grassed area brings us to a road alongside the River Alne. The second footbridge, at the end of the road, takes us to Alne Close, which we follow north to St Nicholas Church. Here there is a dog watering station, so this walk is most definitely dog-friendly!

We now enter a field. Instead of following the path up castle mound, as we have done before, we take the left hand footpath to enter the churchyard. Here we are looking down on the church on our left, a view I have never seen before. Across the churchyard our path takes us into the rural part of the walk, through fields. There is a turning on the left that passes through the hedgerow. This is not at all obvious, as I managed to miss it when surveying the walk. It comes up just as the view of the church tower begins to disappear amongst the trees and just before the field hedge turns 90degrees left. This path takes us over a footbridge and then diagonally right across a field.

Then the path follows the right bank of the river between fences. The river here is a pleasant stream flowing over a bed of pebbles, most attractive and it is not surprising that this is one of the few Warwickshire rivers to host dippers and otters.

Eventually the path leads us to a road where we turn left over a bridge. We now cross the High Street and enter Johnson Close and after a few yards take to another footpath. This crosses back streets again and then follows Chestnut Walk to return us to the STATION. Return trains leave at 59 minutes past the hour.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 336 Saturday September 21

ILSHAW HEATH 3 miles , 2 pubs & 1 bakery

This month we return after some years to the pleasant Arden country south of Solihull.

We meet at 12 noon at Wedge bakery

on School Lane, Ilshaw Heath. This was founded in 1850 by Edwin Dyer and in 1943 was bought by Jim Wedge, thereby getting its present name. I was considering getting the bus to this walk, but having visited the bakery I decided to drive so that I can take Sharon (and Teddy if he is around) and bring some food home! If you are driving you can either take the scenic route through Balsall Common, Knowle, Dorridge and Hockley Heath, or the A45 and M40 to junction 4, as shown on the map. Either way, you then follow Kineton Lane past the rear entrance to the Blythe Valley Business Park and go left at the new housing estate and you soon arrive at WEDGES BAKERY.

Wedges has a car park between the bakery itself and the canal. We meet here at 12 noon and leave at 12.30 to walk the canal. Going right we follow the canal as far as Salters Lane. Here we leave the canal and walk down to the BULLS HEAD for a rest.

After half an hour we walk along a lane to the BLUE BELL, which I note is still badges as a cider house. It was once the site of a home brew house, then in the early 1960 was bought by Bulmers to become one of its small estate of cider houses. Around the turn of the century Bulmers sold these so now it is more a pub with cider than a cider house. I doubt it sells draught still cider any more, nor bottles of Bulmers No7! It does have a good canalside garden though!

After half an hour we walk back along the canal to WEDGES BAKERY, where we can spend more time over pies and cakes before taking some home with us!

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 136 Sunday Oct 6th

COUNDON AND RADFORD 4 miles & 2 pubs

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COMMENTS: Possible a little overgrown in Coundon Wedge

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This month I have arranged a walk around a couple of suburbs that we haven’t visited much before. We will connect little buts of greenery scattered amongst the housing estates. We meet at the HOLYHEAD pub on Holyhead Road at 12 noon and set off along Moseley Avenue at 12.30.

Soon we come to a grassy field on our left, which was left as a recreational area for the surrounding housing. It doesn't appear to have an name, at least I have never seen one, yet it is a pleasant oasis alongside the traffic of Moseley Road.

Leaving here we cross Coundon Road and walk along Banks Road. This takes us to Radford Common, at least the postage stamp-sized piece of grass which is all that is left of the common that was part of the vast medieval common lands that once encircled Coventry. From the common we follow the green, tree-lined Keresley Road, before cutting across the grassy verge to walk through the lawns of a housing estate. Then we walk around the perimeter of Bablake Playing Fields and come to Norman Place Road. From here we are soon at the NUGGET in Coundon Green.

After half an hour we start out again and take the path past the schools to enter Coundon Wedge. We walk around the woodland until we come to a gate that takes us into the car park of Coundon Social Club. Then the access road take us to the riverside path in Coundon Wedge. We follow the Sherbourne downstream to Holyhead Road. We pass the shops and enter Lakeview Park to return to the HOLYHEAD.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 337 Saturday October 26

BIRMINGHAM WEST 2 miles & 4 pubs

For some while now I have wanted to travel the Metro west, in the opposite direction to the original line, which we have explored in the past. Now that the Metro reaches Edgbaston it is time to do this. The terminus is now ‘Edgbaston Village’, which sounds almost as ridiculous as ‘Earlsdon Village’, however there musty be a grain of truth in both terms, as both Edgbaston and Earlsdon were presumable separate villages once.

I realize that some people will say that I have missed a trick by not doing the Stirchley Mile, but I will do this in the new year. As it is I intend to get the metro to Edgbaston and visit three Good Beer Guide pubs on the way back into Birmingham. Certainly Edgbaston is an attractive leafy suburb with white painted stucco houses.

I aim to catch the 11.15 train from Coventry which arrives at Birmingham New Street at 11.44. At New Street I shall catch the tram to the terminus at Edgbaston and then walk down Highfield Road to the PHYSICIAN for shortly after 12.00.

At 12.30 we set off walking through the leafy roads, rather than going via Fiveways. We turn right into Greenfield Crescent, an attractive arc of houses many of which have been turned into bars. Here is LOKI BAR, part of the chain of wine bars that also have a premises in Knowle. I still have my card from the last time we went to Knowle, so I shall pop in, see how much is left on mu card, and have a glass or two of wine.

From there we follow St James’ Lane and pass the pretty garden of George Cadbury’s House. We cross the canal here, but there is no away down to the towpath, so we have to go to Fiveways Station to obtain access. Then we follow the canal for a short distance to Granville Street in order to reach the CRAVEN ARMS.

After the Craven Arms we can cross the dual carriageway at the pagoda roundabout into the city centre and walk up to the POST OFFICE VAULTS. Then people can go freestyle and visit anywhere they wish, though I have a curiosity to see the new Wetherspoon’s, the LONDON AND GREAT WESTERN before catching a return train.

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 137 Sunday Nov 3rd

BEATING THE BOUNDS OF EARLSDON 5 miles & 2 pubs

This month’s walk come courtesy of Earlsdon Online’s Earlsdon Parish Boundary Walk, with a couple of minor alterations.

We meet at the CITY ARMS in Earlsdon at 12 noon and set off at 12.30 along Earlsdon Avenue North. We walk up to the traffic lights on Hearsall lane and enter Hearsall Common. Then we follow the length of the Common through woodland before turning south to reach Broad Lane. We follow the western edge of the Common past the Hore Well and the site of the lost village of Horewell, which is still with us today in the name ‘Hearsall’, which is a corruption of ‘Horewell’.

We come to Canley Road and cross the railway by Canley Station, continuing to Fletchamstead Highway. Here we cross the dual carriageway to the PHANTOM COACH for half an hour’s rest and relaxation at the half way point.

After this we walk down to the pedestrian crossing to cross the road and enter Canley Ford. He we cross Canley Brook and walk along the lane to Kenilworth Road. Across this road we pass through Stivichale Common to enter the War Memorial Park. We pass Coat of Arms Bridge and follow the edge of the park northwards. Then we pass the War Memorial and recross Kenilworth Road to go through Top Green. From there we cross Spencer Road and go through Spencer park to reach Albany Road, which brings us back to the CITY ARMS.

REAL ALE RAMBLE 338 Saturday November 16th

LONG ITCHINGTON GREENWAY SOUTH 2 miles & 1 pub

Some of you will remember that we walked the greenway north a year or two ago. Well now we will follow the greenway in the opposite direction, south towards the village of Long Itchington.

We meet at the GREEN MAN at 12 noon as we know that this pub was open on a Saturday lunchtime the last time we were here.. At 12.30 we set off along the lane, over the River Itchen to reach the greenway. At the bridge we go south-east and after a few hundred yards the greenway bridges the canal and then the river. The greenway peters out here at an overgrown cutting so after looking down at the river we have to turn back to the canal.

Following the canal we get views of the church and village through the trees. Then at bridge 25 the main road crosses the canal. Here we go through a gate into a field. Through gates and across a track we come to a footbridge over a stream. Then across another field we come to a track that takes us back to the village near the pond and a rather fine modern war memorial. We turn left here and go through the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church. Past the Co-operative store we return to the GREEN MAN. Other pubs are available in Long Itchington!

SUNDAY LUNCH WALK 138 Sunday Dec 1st

EARLSDON STREET 100 yards & 4-6 cafes

Well, Christmas is on its way, so its time to start the festivities with our annual Earlsdon Street cafe crawl again. This started some years ago as a way of highlighting the proliferation of alcohol licences on the high street and has become a bit of a tradition now. People are welcome to join us for a chat and a drink and then depart again as they wish.

We meet at 12 noon at CAFE BRAVO. After half an hour or so we move on to ANGELITO and then ANATOLIA., which are next door to each other.

Then we have to walk past a couple of shops before coming to SURF AND SLICE and NEXT DOOR, which again are next to each other. They are both owned by the same management and it is possible that Next Door will not be open on a Sunday afternoon. We shall see.

After this we have to pass more shops before coming to STREET, which again may not be open on a Sunday afternoon, so again we shall find out. After this people can decide whether to return home or end at one of the more conventionally ‘pubby’ premises such as the Royal Oak, Mills’s, Beer Gonzo or the City Arms.

See you at Cafe Bravo

Fred and Sharon

REAL ALE RAMBLE 339 Saturday December 14th

WINDMILL HILL BREWERY TAP, LEAMINGTON 3 miles & 6 pubs

This month we are off to Leamington again, after a gap of around a year, this time to visit the Windmill Hill Brewery Tap, amongst others. I shall be catching the 12 noon train from Coventry Station, which arrives in Leamington at 12.16. Other forms of transport are available but I prefer 15 minutes on a train to over the Ho Chi Minh Trail by bus! I should get to TEMPERANCE bar around 12.30. Here we will have to drink a bottle or something like that as they don’t do real ale.

Then we move on to the BOILER ROOM before a gentle stroll through Jephson Gardens, where we can pop into the hot house to see the exotic plants. We emerge onto Willes Road and then Willes Terrace takes us to the NEW INN, which is in the 2025 Good Beer Guide, after an absence of many years. It will be interesting to visit the old pub again.

After this we walk back into town along Radford Road. When we reach the Radford Road Church we turn left into Camberwell Terrace. Straight on here under a railway viaduct takes us to the industrial units in the arches that are home to both BRUBL and WINDMILL HILL.

Brubl opens at 1.00 p.m. but Windmill Hill not until 2.30, so I guess it will be Brubl first!

After Windmill Hill we pass under the next railway viaduct, turn left and come to the canal. We go right here and along the towpath to the next bridge. Here we leave the canal and cross Clemens Street to the MICRO PUG, which was previously ‘Procaffinate’. I note that Clemens Street contains a Greek restaurant, a Greek cafe and a Portuguese grocers cum bakery. Yummy.

After leaving Micro Pug we return to the station for the next train home.