The Old Orleton Inn, Telford

A large, handsome, brick-built hotel at a crossroads on the old A5. It has a very tall araucaria and the 12-foot stump of what looks like a redwood. The entrance is partly hidden by bushes, with the bar counter just inside the door from the porch. There are three hand pumps but only Hobson's Town Crier on at the time of my visit, a Tuesday afternoon just after noon. There's a 25% discount on Tuesdays, so my half was only £1.69 (so, £4.50/pint normally), but it wasn't very good, having been served in a glass that was still warm from the washer - not so bad as to be worth complaining about, but a little disappointing.

This one is for the food rather than the ale. Serves a very respectable pint of Hobsons (Town Crier, Best Bitter and Mild have been spotted in there) but it's the food that sets this place apart, highly recommended.