Old Fighting Cocks, Telford

Just a quick add on to the previous reviews , there is now a 32 seat cinema , Oakengates Picturehouse , now open in the former Union/Function room in the pub (upstairs) and you can take your pint in .

This recently reopened three room traditional pub is owned by Everards Brewery but leased out to the local Ironbridge Brewery and is the oldest pub in the area dating from around the mid 1600’s, although it was gutted by fire around 1880 and subsequently rebuilt (the history of the pub is on the wall in one of the back rooms). As you enter the beautifully restored frontage with its stained glass windows you are immediately met by the small L shaped bar counter, the room is a C shape around the central bar, the décor is plain and traditional with lots of wood, a small Victorian cast iron fireplace on the right and a couple of paintings and a display of tankards on the walls. At the back of the public bar is a small snug on the left and a corridor decorated with paintings and photos of horse racing which leads to a second snug on the right. The first snug has a log burning stove against the back wall with beer memorabilia on the walls, the second snug at the end of the corridor has a similar log burner against the other side of the same wall with old sporting illustrations on the walls. Regular ales are Everards Tiger Best Bitter and three changing ales from the Ironbridge Brewery with a further three changing guest beers from Shropshire and the neighbouring counties, Ironbridge have a cask swapping scheme with some of the other local breweries. There was also a cider on hand pull and two empty pulls around the side of the bar counter, ten hand pulls in total. I love what they have done with this place, I get the feeling that this is what the pub would have looked like in 1883 when it was refurbished after the fire, the wood is all fresh and new rather than made to look old and well worn as many pubs try to do to give a false sense of age. Also the beer range and selection is really good, Oakengates has become a great place for a mini pub crawl as there are now four good pubs in the centre with six or more real ales on!

One of three pubs almost in a row, with another opposite, the centre of Oakengates is well served with options for a good pint. Of this group, the Fighting Cocks looks the best having only recently been reopened as a 'cask ale emporium' after a major refurbishment. Inside, you find a well-presented 'L'-shaped bar with eight working handpumps plus another two which are due to be commissioned soon. The real ales are divided between those from the owners (Ironbridge Brewery) and other local guests. My pint of Pot O' Gold from Wood's Brewery (£2.60) was excellent. Overall, a fine establishment.