The All Nations Inn, Telford

Not my first visit here, but unaccountably I didn't write a review when I was here before. After a rather disappointing experience up the road in Madeley, I must admit to a touch of anxiety about how well this iconic brew pub had done through the last two years, but I needn't have worried. It was just as I remembered, with four real ales and a cider, and possibly only the freshly painted walls and a signed Steve Bell were new. I was teased by some bar-hangers for hesitating over the choice of beer, and in the end I went for both the All Nations standard brew and the Eliza Lewis premium pale. Both were in superb condition, and the latter in particular was a gorgeous drop. It's lucky that my walk to the hostel at Coalport was downhill from here.

Set on a bank opposite Blists Hill Museum, this is a fabulous traditional brewhouse. The tile-floored bar is fairly small and with a few in, we managed to share a table. Lively conversation is the order of the day. There is an outdoor patio to the side which was also quite popular. All Nations Bitter & Eliza Lewis were their own ales. Guests were Hobson's Town Crier & Wye Valley HPA. The cider was Weston's Rosie's Pib Rhubarb Cider. This place oozes character and is well worth seeking out.