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Market Vaults, Tamworth
Tamworth
B79 7LU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Market Vaults
My connection from Tamworth to Stafford was delayed so I just had time to walk into town for a swift half (the map below says 10 minutes to walk from the high level platforms, but it's best to allow more like 15 because of busy roads to cross and the stairs at the station). This is a Joules pub, which means they'll have done a tasteful refurbishment since taking it over. These sometimes meet with disapproval, especially from previous pub-goers who had got used to the possibly more authentic previous incarnation, but I quite liked it here. The front room has some nice features, while the back room has got a really old-fashioned feel, more like a farmhouse inn, though the big fireplace at the back had a wood-burning stove rather than a kitchen range. On the bar was a good range of Joules beers, including the No.6 winter warmer, which was an enjoyable beer, though perhaps a little too sweet for my taste. Service was friendly, especially after the woman who served me saw that I was photographing the pump clips and making notes; I think she thought I might have been going to write a review. My notes, for what it's worth, mention the traditional bar counter with rails, hooks and elephants. The only possible jarring note was the background music, but I wasn't here long enough to get annoyed by it.
On 28th November 2021
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3740 recommendations about 3477 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Market Vaults
Classic Joules pub. Tasteful olde worlde refit over two rooms on different levels with a side corridor between the two. Front bar is a classic tap room style whilst the rear with its stained glass, mirrors, brass, grandmother clock and traditional furniture is a nice place to settle. Friendly licensees were good for a chat. Five Joules beers; That Choc One was in fair shape (NBSS 3) but the Pale wasn't and tasted of phenol (1) – whose fault that was I wouldn’t like to say but someone behind the bar should have caught this. Shame, as this one was heading for an 8+ otherwise.
On 5th March 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Market Vaults
Excellent real ale pub with a narrow frontage but extending back through two bars to a slightly raised seating area at the rear. Very traditional furniture and decor throughout, although the piped music was a bit of a surprise. Eight cask beers, ranging from the regular Joule's Pale, through the Holt's Two Hoots (£3.60), one each from Holden's and Rowton, a couple of Oakhams and Jaipur to Sarah Hughes dark ruby mild.
On 21st April 2018
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Hurdle left this review about Market Vaults
A very welcoming and well run traditional old pub. On ordering a beer, the bar staff/management always ask if you have a CAMRA card. Later on they came round with free portions of chips and garlic mayonnaise.
On entry, there is a small bar room with a large Joules mirror over the fireplace. There is comfortable bench seating under the window and a small two sided bar with 8 handpumps in the opposite corner. A large fridge on the right contains more than a dozen traditional boxed ciders. Customers ordering cider were offered samples to try. A larger long narrow room with its own bar followed behind the entry room. A top class pub deserves a maximum score from me.
On 9th April 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 707 recommendations about 645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Market Vaults
There was a small hand written note on the main door on our arrival, which read, 'all welcome come on in, great atmosphere'. Obviously the manager was right, as we did get a good welcome and the atmosphere was friendly and jovial.
The front room consisted of a small corner bar, which had a substantial looking brass handrail surrounding the countertop.
There was also a Victorian cast iron fireplace, with a lit fire.
The front area also had buttoned red leather banquette seating. Between the front room and back lounge, was a short lobby housing a wooden pew. The chap I was talking to, said he used to sit there in the early 1970's whilst he watched his Father playing dominoes and came out when the sandwiches arrived.
Eight handpumps on the front bar, so we went for the Joules Pale Ale, Teighworthy Climate Change, PenPoint Stormer IPA and Colchester AK Pole. Also, there was a choice of 16 ciders, served from the fridge in the front room.
On 13th March 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Market Vaults
The huge Banks's window on this old pub didn't bode well but inside it was a revelation. The front room is a small public bar with a few tables and chairs and a wooden floor while up a step leads to the plusher carpeted saloon bar. There is a Joules mirror on the wall of the front bar but the cheerful landlord assured me it's not tied to them, they just have an agreement to stock Joules Pale as a permanent beer. The bar has eight hand pumps one of which was blank and to go with the Joules Pale were Dancing Duck Dcuk, Kelham Island Pale Rider, Oakham Bishop's Farewell & Tranquillity IPA, Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild and Holden's Black Country Bitter. I went for the Tranquility IPA and the Ruby Mild (both £3.50 reduced to £3.40 with the CAMRA discount). Both were excellent in fact the Tranquillity was so good I stopped for another, giving up on going to another pub. This is a great traditional boozer with a landlord who is clearly a real ale enthusiast. I'm almost tempted to give it a ten as it's a 9.5 for me. Highly recommended.
On 29th February 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Market Vaults
A cracking 2 roomed pub serving 7 cask ales. The handpumps are located in the front bar with another bar to the rear. A good traditional style pub.
On 22nd July 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Gooch left this review about The Market Vaults
Further Update August 2010 - Now taken over and once again serving food
Update - Due to be taken over on 17.07.10 by new folk whom promise a re-descovered pub serving the local community in one of the oldest pubs in town
No longer serving food and closed some lunchtimes
On 4th August 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 60 recommendations about 57 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Market Vaults
This pub is a narrow, but long building that retains a lot of character. It seems to be a Georgian facade, but there may well be older elements in the building. The interior has two rooms, one with a TV and a free jukebox. The furniture and fittings are based on the wattle and daub look, but are tastefully done. There is a nice beer garden as well. Service was fine. Clientele was mixed, and got a bit trendy later as all the youngies were hitting town - well it was Friday night!
Beerwise: usual stuff with Hobgoblin and Jennings Cocker Hoop on handpull - i am sure there was another, but failed to make a note. Both were fine.
The downside to this pub was the volume of the music. It drove us into the beer garden as we couldnt hear ourselves speak. Would love to come back in the week, hopefully when the music is lower - i think it would be really good.
On 7th September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Gooch left this review about The Market Vaults
Lots of brass (that could do with polishing) and dark wood in this traditional pub. Real ales and traditional food at lunchtimes and some evenings. Fruit machine and juke box. Market Vaults reputedly has a secret tunnel running through part of the cellar linking it both with the church and the castle.
On 8th December 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 60 recommendations about 57 pubs]