The Wilkes Head, Leek

A bit of a work in progress during our visit as it looks like there's been a bit of a repair going on and some redecoration. The cleientele were a bunch of high vis wearers with a fine line in banter, if a bit boisterous, straight after work on a Wednesday. Down to 3 handpumps now, still serving Whim and Hartington beers. My pint of Hartington IPA was in excellent nick. We'd call in again.

Facebook page of The Wilkes Head - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Wilkes Head - www.facebook.com

My first visit for a number of years. Three Whim beers on the bar, with another being pulled through. I was made very welcome by bar staff and customers, and my half of Whim Flower Power was as good as I remember it (NBSS 4).

To the left of the entrance to the Wilkes Head is a sunken seating area with an exposed brick fireplace with burner and a dartboard that had lots of boxes on the oche. Maybe my Tuesday evening visit had coincided with a delivery. There’s a raised tile floor bar with a U-shaped serving counter that supports five hand pumps, Whim Ales Big3, Flower Power, Hartington Bitter and Hartington IPA were the cask options alongside a limited keg selection of Carling, Madri, Guinness and Thatcher’s Cider. I went for a pint of the IPA which was past its best. Maybe I caught this place on a bad day so I’ll give it another go when next in Leek.

I agree with Mr Aqualung that this place looked shut. Apparently you have to enter from the side, well I did anyway. Oncecin you have a multi-roomed pub with the walls covered in pump clips. The small bar had 5 handpumps on and they were not your usuals. An excellent little place.