Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Reviewing milestone with ETA
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Duke of York, Lichfield
Lichfield
WS13 6DY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ale Monster left this review about Duke of York
This is a fantastic 17th century grade II listed coaching inn that was bought by the Joule’s Brewery from Punch Taverns nearly two years ago, the pub is two buildings which have been knocked in to one, the right hand side is the original inn which dates from 1644 and the left hand building was a cottage that was built a little later. The pub lays claim to being the oldest inn in Lichfield. There are two front entrances but if you take the right hand one you will find a corridor that gives access to all three rooms, the very traditional front public bar, the more modern rear bar in the back left of the original building and a conservatory type room in the back right of the pub. The front public bar is on two levels as the cottage had been built lower than the adjoining inn, there is a wood bar counter in the back wall of the inn side of the room, fixed wooden bench seating arranged in booths opposite the counter, a large fire place in the right wall with a thick wooden beam lintel across the top and a very large log burning stove, there is an inglenook fire place in the left hand wall that has been converted in to a booth with brown leather seating, dart board on back left wall, genuine oak beams and posts, bare wood floors and various Joule’s Brewery decorations on the walls. The rear bar was a stable block in a previous life, but it now has a bar counter across the front wall, a small fire place with log burning stove in the back wall, full new oak panel walls and ceiling, carpeted floor and brown leather bench seating along the left and right, above the fire place and on the right wall are two large Joule’s Brewery mirrors and in the back right corner there is a mounted wild boars head! The conservatory has a stone floor and large beer barrels for tables which you can stand at, behind the building is a nice flowery patio area with half a dozen picnic tables and a bowling green.
Regular ales are currently Joule’s Pale Ale, Blonde and Slumbering Monk with a single changing guest beer on this occasion which was Blue Monkey BG Sips (GBG 2012). I tried the Slumbering Monk and BG Sips which I considered to be in good condition.
A magnificent traditional pub with good character and nice olde worlde charm. I have visited several Joule’s pubs over the last twelve months and I appreciate the way that they refurbish the pubs in a sympathetic fashion, I get the impression that they really care about the heritage of the buildings and they also seem to purposefully go for pubs with some history. I would definitely pop in for a couple if in Lichfield again.
On 16th July 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 199 recommendations about 199 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Thuck Phat left this review about Duke of York
I echo Mr Fastard's positive sentiments below. This is a very pleasant place for a few pints, lovely building, friendly welcome from both behind the bar and locals, well kept ale.
There are usually four handpumps featuring Joules Pale Ale and Slumbering Monk and Black Country Fireside and BFG. The beer festival on when we visited had some 20 real ales and 4 ciders including Abbeydale Absolution, Backyard IPA, Blue Monkey BG Sips and 99 Red Babboons. Everything we tried was in excellent condition whether straight from the barrel or via a handpump. It seems that Joules, whilst not yet offering a very broad range of their own, really know how to keep beer. At least that's been my own experience in their pubs.
A tremendous boozer to which I'll definitely return.
On 3rd May 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 692 recommendations about 691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Duke of York
Two bar pub that has very recently joined the real ale revolution. A fair selection on, I tried one called (I think) Sandstorm, which was a bit warm and tired. Place felt like a rather bare and devoid of character but hopefully will gain this over time. Barmaid seemed harassed despite not being overly busy. Was the weakest of the (non-Spoons) pubs on my crawl but I think it will gain in stature over time.
On 9th July 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5964 recommendations about 5943 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about Duke of York
Comfortable, cosy 2-bar place with good-quality ale. Well worth missing a train for (I was tempted!).
On 20th February 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 620 recommendations about 576 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Taylor left this review about Duke of York
Popped in yesterday. What a pub, quite different from other pubs in Lichfield. Large log fire, two roomed pub and has its own courtyard. More like barn than pub, you will see why...
Had pint of very good Golden Thread (Salopian Ale) which is outstanding.
I agree with Soupy, this pub has be in my 5 top Lichfield pubs. Only downside is its signage could do better..
On 16th December 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 75 recommendations about 75 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about Duke of York
A white rendered terraced pub
The interior has two rooms; lounge and bar. The decor is the currently vogue colours of red, white and olive green, with some nice ceiling and support beams. The lounge has booths, with a stags head for decoration, the bar has, nice wood bench seats, pictures, prints and some beer memorablila, with a nice wood burning fire. Service was good and the clientele maturer. The silence was nice, in fact the whole experience was.
Beer; tap stuff, with a decent Hardy & Hansons Olde Trip on handpull, along with Oakham Citra, well kept but not to my taste and Batemans Rosey Nosey. Joule’s Brewery plan to reintroduce their own beer, though currently it is a free house. A MILD is also planned.
Lichfield had three cracking pubs; George & Dragon, Wellington and the Queens - this makes it four, the Horse & Jockey (old LA Rock) makes it 5. This place is definately up with the best in Lichfield
On 15th December 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3113 recommendations about 3108 pubs]