The Golden Ball, Telford

Facebook page of The Golden Ball - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Golden Ball - www.facebook.com

The Golden Ball is a locals' pub set well above Ironbridge Gorge and the main part of the town. There are a number of rooms, with both drinkers and diners accommodated. An outdoor patio appeared to be a bit of a suntrap. Once we'd managed to traverse the numerous dogs en route to the bar, we were faced with a choice of Wye Valley HPA, Purity Ubu, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker or Otter Amber. There was no real cider. A lively place that I didn't quite take to.

This is a pleasant Georgian/Victorian build with front patio and rear beer garden. The interior has multitude of areas, two more bar-ish and three more for dining. All were generally white and beam, with nice fireplaces, some bench seating and a few photos on the walls. Due to the heat, I didn't stay inside to note much. TV wasn't on and there was no music. Service was fine and everyone was in the beer garden - mainly locals I think. Usual tap stuff with Hobson's Twisted Spire, Town Crier and a Woodfordes Volt IPA on pull. The Spire was fine. A nice pub, definitely one to return to.

This bar was packed yesterday when we went so it was difficult to see all the beers available round the bar. Chose Robinsons Overhang which was fine and tried to get seating in another room, but although it was full of mainly empty tables we were not allowed to sit in there just to drink.

Billing itself as Ironbridge's oldest pub it is not a good pub to walk to from the bottom of the gorge. The hill is steep and may bring on a raging thirst or a heart attack, the walk however steep is worthwhile for the quality of the beer. It has a good reputation as a superior food pub, almost gastro but not quite due to the public bar. A fine choice of 5 very well kept micro and regional brewers beers plus a selection of Belgian bottles. The furniture all matches which isn't always a good sign, but it's ok here. It seemed less busy than on my last visit about four years ago but it has not diminished in quality.