King Charles II, Worcester

This is such an Olde Worlde pub it almost becomes a cliche. Inside it's all you would expect, low ceilings, beams, wooden floors and wood panelling. I was surprised to learn that this was a restaurant as it looks like an original pub and to host ten hand pumps must have some sort of cellar. The sign outside suggests that Sadler's Ales might be here but all the beers that were on were from Cradock's and their two subsidiary brewers. I went for the Cradock's Crazy Sheep (£3.20) which was an excellent pint. This is a decent enough pub where the beer choice is the appeal for me rather than all this historical guff, most of which was probably made up by an owner from the distant past. However, on a visit to Worcester I can't see how it can be ignored.

Yet another blinding Worcester pub and no inkling that it has only recently been converted, a classic genuinely old building with a beamed ceiling and old timbers holding the old girl up, dark wood panelling, an amazing feature fireplace with civil war scenes depicted, the upstairs room has bench seating and feature clocks, all stopped showing different times, back downstairs, part boarded. part carpeted, bar on a side wall with hops entwined over. Pewter tankards hang from hooks, copper kettles, wooden owls and swans form the décor, a map from 1611 shows the escape route of the eponymous King's retreat in the civil war. A tremendous selection on here, Sadler's Mud City Stout, Thornbridge Jaipur, Pope's Festival Pale Ale, Tiny Rebel Welsh Red Ale, Bridgnorth River Stream, Craddock's Crazy Sheep and Saxon Gold, Thirsty Brewers Pacific Pale ale plus ciders and a perry from Barbourne and Abrahall's. Something went while we were in but so good to see another put straight on and properly pulled through. Bar snacks in the guise of pork pies, scotch eggs, scratchings, what a pub!