Old Bulls Head Inn, Newcastle Under Lyme Central, Newcastle under Lyme

Dating back to the 14th century, the Bullls Head Inn is apparently the oldest pub in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the aged musty interior gave me no reason to doubt this. This is a cash only Joule’s pub so their Pale Ale, Pure Blonde and Slumbering Monk were all available, the latter being a good drop. Old Rosie cider was also available and a fifth pump stood unused. The interior has low ceilings and an inglenook much like any self-respecting ‘oldie worldie’ pub. There’s a television that was emitting some background music, but not a lot else going on except some chatter from four or five locals who were drinking up because the doors close early evening during the week. There is normal closing on Fridays and Saturdays when karaoke and disco is hosted. The service was friendly, but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to revisit.

By the time I visited this pub it was getting quite late on a Friday evening and Ms CAMRA had retired to the hotel. It was pretty busy in a raucous way with lots of people having had quite a bit to drink, including me. It's an attractive pub and may well be very old, but it looks like it's been "made" old fairly recently. Only Joules ales on the bar, so I just had a half of Pure Blonde which was in decent nick. I may have to call in here again next timer we're in town as I don't remember much of it to be honest. :-))

Official site of Old Bulls Head Inn - www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

Official site of Old Bulls Head Inn - www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

Reputed to be the oldest inn in town (and it certainly looks the part), but now somewhat hidden away by the various post-war shopping area redevelopments. As noted by others, the attempt by Joule's to recreate a traditional interior doesn't really work as well as it should, but it still makes a big change from the other nearby pubs. Five of six handpumps in use when we visited, and with no guests available I went for the seasonal Royal (£1.65, half)

A spot on review by the Captain (Bucking Fastard) below. It is a Joule's Pub, which had four of their beers on - the Slumbering Monk being decent. Joule's do a good and respectful refurbishment in general, but this one has a white rendered exterior that looks as over restored - rating high on the tweeometer - as its beamed, brick-ranged interior. Service was good and a few locals were in. It wasn't that I disliked it, and I would go back, it is just that I am miserable.