The Newhampton, Wolverhampton

A great Victorian red brick pub with moulded stone lintels which is owned by Enterprise Inns, The interior has three very traditional rooms. Across the front of the pub is the main public bar which has a central bar counter with two cast iron genuine coal fire places, a small one opposite the counter, a larger fire place on the left of the room with a flat screen TV on the wall nearby and green leather bench seats. In the back right corner of the public bar is a staircase that leads up to a function room which is often used to host live bands. Between the bar counter and the stairs is a door that leads to a small sports room with a central pool table, large flat screen TV on the left hand wall, burgundy leather bench seats round the right hand side under a large bay window and a couple of high stools, there is a serving hatch from the bar in the front left corner. On the left of the public bar is a door that leads to a short corridor, this gives access to the lounge (previously the smoke room) which has a fire place in the right hand wall with a grand mantle piece and mirror, beige fabric bench seats and again has a serving hatch from the bar in the front left corner. The décor throughout the pub is traditional with a few paintings and lots of old photos of Wolverhampton on the walls. Behind the building is a large bowling green with a nice pavilion and a children’s play area on the left, a decked patio on the right and a further grass area with a dozen picnic tables and a boules gravel lane. Regular ales are Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Fuller’s London Pride, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Enville Ale, Wye Valley HPA, Courage Best and Directors. The Enville and HPA used to be changing guests but they proved to be so popular that the landlord has stuck with them. I had four halves and they were all excellent if a bit pricey for Wolverhampton (Cask Marque and GBG 2011). Card carrying CAMRA members get a discount. This is a brilliant traditional real ale pub with plenty of character, it has maintained a good local reputation for well kept beer over many years. If I could afford to (£2.90 a pint, the pubs only drawback) I could stay in here all day as this is absolutely my kind of pub and there’s a good mix of ales, a must visit if you get the chance. Three buses from the city centre pass nearby, 501, 505 and 507, or a twenty minute walk weather and health permitting! Also it’s worth mentioning the Summer House just round the corner.

From the outside, this looks really good. The pub has been repainted, great beer garden with flowers and old style lamposts. Sadly, inside the pub is in need of a spruce up, but the leather seats and tables are clean. The service was fine and friendly. Usual stuff, though no MILD at all, but I didnt walk out! i tried a few of the 7 real ales they had on; Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylor Landlord (very nice), London Pride, Wye Valley HPA, Slater's Top Totty (not my cup of tea - get the Monkey Magic on!), Courage Directors and Best. It seems over the years to have gone downhill a bit, hope it can improve - a MILD would help.

Good beer, interesting clientele, very pleasant garden for summer evenings. There's even a bowling green out the back. Regular acoustic music evenings with some surprisingly big names for such a small venue. Well worth a visit.

Now a casino

I can't believe that nobody has commented on this wonderful pub yet!!! It has great character, several real ales, blond beer, scrumpy cider, and a great range of bar snacks. I have only sampled the food on one occasion, and it was good value real pub food. One of the best real ale pubs in Wolverhampton, full of character and characters. Go, now!