Stoke on Trent / Longton & Fenton Crawl 23rd February 2013

It was a fairly early start and a bus to Derby then on a train to Longton,an area of Stoke that i have done pubs on different occasions over the years,but the main crawl was to be in Fenton where i had only done four pubs while on a Nottingham Camra bus crawl on 23 February 1991,so a 22 year gap in doing the area.
It  was a very cold day so i was well pleased to find my first pub open before 11am.

Longton

1: The Last Post

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This pub looked like a Wetherspoons but it is not one.
Once inside the pub was still like a Weterspoons but in need of a refurbishment.
There were three real ales on the bar,i opted for a slow half of Marstons Pedigree which went down well.

I was now going to walk to a new pub which has opened on a new trading estate on the edge of Longton.
Luckily the pub opened dead on 11am for drinks so no waiting,if you want a meal and soft drink the pub opens at 9am

2: The Pepper Mill

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a modern new build Marston tied house which is situated at the far end on the Phoenix Park  trading estate.
The pub had the usual new build layout of a large single L shaped room which is geared up for diners,but drinkers are made just as welcome,there were three Marstons beers on the bar,i had a drink of Pedigree which went down well.

I was now going to walk to Fenton and i was told about a short cut which was a proper path which went over the the main Derby to Crewe line,but there was no bridge or underpass,i took a long look before crossing here,it was not long before i was on the main road through Fenton.
I took photos of the four pubs i had done there back in 1991 before getting in my first Fenton pub of the day.

Fenton

3: The Angel Inn

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a proper looking back street pub and just the sort i like doing.
The pub had been opened out but was still nice enough and warm on a very cold day,there were four pumps on the bar and two real ales on,i had a drink of Bass which was a very nice drink.

The Duke of Wellington was just down from the Angel but yet to open so i would do it later on my crawl of the area.
After a bit of a walk down the busy city road i was in my next pub.

4: The Royal Oak

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper looking estate pub and just the sort of pub i really like to do,the pub had the usual two room layout,the lounge was in darkness,but the bar seemed quite nice and i prefer drinking in the bars of estate pubs.
There was one real ale on here which was Bass,this went down very well while i thought i could well be in one of the many estate pubs i have done in the Greater Manchester area.

In this area of Fenton pubs are pretty thick on the ground so not far to walk to quite a few pubs.

5: Ye Olde Manor Inne

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a nice looking pub which is situated just off the city road,once inside the pub had an olde worlde feel to it,there were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Worthington Cask which was a decent drink,the pub was also very busy on my Saturday dinner visit which is nice to see.

6: Terrace Inn

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper old school pub that was pretty much unaltered inside with a couple of rooms,there was one real ale on here which was Bass,this went down very well,i quite took to this pub.
The Newtown pub is opposite the Terrace Inn but i would do that later.

I decided to walk down smithpool road to do my next pub.

7: The Regent

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A typical looking 30s built pub that i have never liked the look of,but it was a crawl of fenton so it had to be done.
Very large inside and opened out,most of the pub was in darkness due to a large screen in the bay window showing the Fulham v Stoke City game with only three customers watching it.
There were two pumps on the bar with clips turned round,but i always ask for a real ale anyway,ime glad i did because the landlord said he had Wadworth 6X on,this was a decent drink.
I did'nt really enjoy my visit to this pub.

After a bit of a walk round the bottom side of Fenton i was in my next pub.

8: The Locomotive

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A proper back street pub that is set among many terraced houses.
The pub had two rooms to the front and a larger dilapidated pool room to the rear,but i still liked this pub.
The pub is a Marstons tied house with two real ales on,i had a drink of Marstons Bitter which went down well,the pub was quite busy on my Saturday afternoon visit with older customers.

9: The Railway

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This pub is just up from the Locomotive and also looks quite nice from the outside.
The pub has been opened out inside apart from a separate pool room,the Fulham v Stoke game was being shown on a big screen to  mainly younger drinkers.
There were no real ales on the bar,the keg bitter choice was Boddingtons which i think is now undrinkable and the almost as bad John Smiths cold crap,which i had and it was a pretty poor drink.
This is not really a pub to go out of your way to do like i did.

I was now heading back North towards the city road but there was another pub to do along the way.

10: Bench & Bar

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a small back street corner pub that is in a residential area and also quite close to a large and impressive looking brick built church.
There is a single split level room inside,the pub is an unmarked Thwaites tied house,there were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Thwaites smooth which was drinkable.
This is a pleasant locals pub just a shame there was not a real ale on the bar.

After a short walk i was back on the city road and lots of pubs to get through.

11: The Newtown

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This pub is opposite the Terrace Inn.
Once inside the pub has been opened out into a large single room which seemed to have been done up recently giving it a clean and cold feel which i do not like,music was blasting out to younger drinkers,to my surprise there were two pumps on the bar with one in use,this had Hobgoblin on which was a very poor drink.
I was pleased to leave this pub.

12: The Musician

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a sturdy looking pub with a curved frontage.
The bar room is curved inside just as it is outside,there is also a large function type room which was not in use on my Saturday afternoon visit.
This is a rock type pub with the music to go with it,which i do not mind.
There were no real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Belhaven Black Scottish Stout which went down a treat.
There were some very lively customers in who were playing air guitars to the music,this pub is not for the faint hearted but i liked it here and would love to visit when it gets really busy.

13: Darcy's

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

 

This is now the only pub left on Victoria road.
Do not be put off by the name this is a proper pub with a good choice of real ales.
There is a single room which is quite comfortable,there was a TV showing the Fulham v Stoke game to a good crowd.
There were four real ales on the bar all from smaller breweries,i had a drink of Lymestone Stone Cutter which went down very well,the other beers were Coastal xxxx,Revolution EP and Cheshire Brewers Engine Vice.
I had a good chat with the young landlady who seemed very knowledgeable  about the local pub scene.
This pub is well worth a visit if in the area.

14: Duke of Wellington

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This looks like a 60s built pub and is just down from the Angel.
Once inside the pub had the usual estate pub layout of two separate rooms,the lounge was out of use,but the bar was quite large and comfortable and also nice and warm on a very cold day.
There was one real ale on the bar which was GK Abbot this went down well enough.
I was quite happy having a drink in this pub.

It was now time to walk uphill into the estates which look over Fenton and the surrounding areas of South Stoke.

15: Pool Dole

 (c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is a smart looking estate pub which was on the top of my list to do on this crawl.
The pub had the two separate rooms, i had a drink in the bar which was very busy,there was one real ale on which was Pedigree which went down well.
I thought this pub was well worth the walk uphill,the views were good and the pub friendly.

After a bit of a walk through estates i got to my my next pub.

15: New Penny

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

Another estate pub with two separate rooms,i had a drink in the lounge in this pub which was very smart,the bar was smaller and also not that busy.
There were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Pedigree which went down very well.
This is a very pleasant and comfortable pub.

16: Old Sal

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is an 80s built pub that Banks's brewery opened,this pub serves the estate that it is in,the pub is now signed as a Marstons house.
Once inside the pub has two separate rooms there is a large bar to the front where i had a drink and very smart lounge to the rear.
There was one real ale on the bar which was Banks's Bitter which went down well.
I found this to be a very comfortable and friendly pub to have a drink in.

It was now a bit of a walk to the top end of Longton then doing pubs i had not done on the way back to the station.

Longton

17: Corner Pin

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A decent looking pub that is set at the bottom of a very steep street.
Once inside the pub has been opened out into a single room but still has a bar area and lounge area,the pub is a Marstons tied house with two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Pedigree which was a very nice drink.
This was a really nice pub to sit and have a drink in,it was warm so very nice to be in on a very cold day.

It was now a good walk downhill towards Longton train station,the pubs would also go downhill in terms of real ale.

18: Last Orders

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A typical looking town pub which is either halfway up or down anchor road depending which way you are going.
The pub has a single room which seemed fairly smart and also very busy on my late Saturday afternoon visit.
There were no real ales on the bar,so it was a drink of John Smiths Smooth Crap which was crap.

19: The Ashwood

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This is an estate pub which is hidden away just off anchor road.
I went in the room to the front so not sure if there was another room,the room was dimly lite and had six unclipped handpumps on the bar,i had a drink of keg M&B Brew X1 which was a decent enough keg bitter.
I do not mind drinking in these types of pubs and was happy enough in here.

20: George and Dragon

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was the last pub on this crawl and probably one of the worst.
This is a large and grand looking pub situated in the middle of Longton.
Once inside there was one large room which seemed to be devoid of any character,there were also no real ales on the bar,i had to settle for a drink of John Smiths Smooth Crap which it was,the pub was also almost empty on my early Saturday evening visit.

Fenton Pubs visited in 1991

Miners Arms

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was a Bass tied house when i visited it with Nottingham Camra,i had a decent drink of Bass to start the crawl on.
Sadly this pub now looks to be in a bad state,but is still standing.

Foley Arms Hotel

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

A nice looking pub that is situated next to the Royal Doulton factory shop.
The pub was a Bass tied house with a very nice drink of Bass on the bar.

The Potter

(c)Photo taken by Alan Winfield

This was an Ansells tied house when i did it back in 1991,the pub still looked functional when i took a photo in 2013.
A decent pub with a good drink of Ansells bitter on the bar.

Malt 'N' Hops

This was a single roomed Burtonwood tied house when i did it back in 1991,the Burtonwood bitter was very nice.
The pub is now a free house with a good choice of real ales on the bar.

I believe this to be a complete list of pubs in Fenton plus a few in Longton.
All photos were taken on 23rd February 2013 

Not sure what the next crawl will be,there is so many to do.