please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
So...to the person trying to copy and re live the Hedy early Georgian days of the illustrious highway man Dick Turpin. Who from ancient records, did indeed reside at "Ye Olde Leathern Bottle" not only to frequent the hostelry, in order to quench his thirst on the Black Country Ale, but to indulge in feasting of local fine fittle. Please also remember that Dick's horse "Black Bess" would also be stabled at the premises, and as you are aware that the barn would have no doubt had fresh hay strewn around, which in the eyes of a randy drunken frustrated highway man of the early Georgian era, would have no doubt had saucy antics with a "Busty Young Wench" reminiscent of Sid James and Barbara Windsor in Carry on Henry etc etc. And from reading the history of young Dick. He certainly would have been standing to deliver, into that younge wench.
As for the other famous musical smash hit from the 80s, "Prince Charming" whose lyrics appear to say "Donkey Weather Donkey Weather" when really they are don't you ever don't you ever....So it really does seem that in that era, there was a lot of horses, donkeys and certainly Dicks, in that period of British History. And its also great that it was in a pub that i have frequented in my yeweth.
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A lot of websites, including CAMRA's, list this pub opening at midday. But at 2:30 on Friday, there was no sign of life. Luckily, the current opening times are listed on the window (why can't all pubs do this?). So, I knew to come back at 3:00. I returned to find it still closed. But, in the meantime, a local had put a window through. Seemingly a nice area! Inside is quite dark. There are 4 rooms. I couldn't quite work out how to get to the one at the front that seemingly had the most character. The 3 real ales were Butty Bach, Directors & Proper Job. None really appealed. But, I chose the Directors. Am surprised to see this pub in the current Good Beer Guide.
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Everything that can be said about this pub has been said many times. It should really be in a country village but a quirk of fate stuck it in Wednesbury, which means they can't get away with gastro-pub food or massively marked up wine and have to stick with what the market can stand. It therefore falls between the two stools of atmospheric restaurant and local pub. Not much choice of beer and a bit pricey for the area. It's okay for a once in a while visit but I wouldn't make a habit of using it.
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Upon checking the history books of the local area, I noticed that the notorious "Dandy Highway Man" of the seventeeth century Dick Turpin,
Not to be confused with the Dandy Highwayman of the early 1980s Adam Ant.
It was also said that Mr. Turpin used to enjoy his stays at the hostelry and amongst some of the loveable rogues antics was a case of eating a chicken drumstick that he had just ripped from the carcase of a "Little Chicken" and again not to be confused with the saying from the great Hussain Chaffaker who could easily hit you with a piece of chalk thrown from a hundred yards across the classroom. Mr. Turpin's christian name "Dick" was very fitting for the man as it was often rumoured that upon his arrival to the olde coaching inn he would surely be drinking copious amounts ale from a pewter tankard and sinking drinking songs with the gentry from the town of Wednesbury or"Wodensbourgh" as it was often reffered to in anglo saxon times.
Dick, after drinking many ales would frequently stagger to his sleeping quarters followed closely by one or two busty flaxen haired younge wenches for a night of ill repute and sorid activities.
I would just like to add that unfortunately it wasnt like that when I visited the hostelry to re-enact tha famous heady days of the "Dandy Highwayman" Dick Turpin.
My encounter was a pint of mild in a glass, a packet of dry roast peanuts followed by a bag of Yampi Fries.
And after drinking several pints of the local Black Country Grog, the heavily built lady that was serving from behind the bar suddenly started to look more appealing.. just as i thought my luck was in, and perhaps i would be following in the footsteps of the Highway man rogue, i started to feel a little dizzy and had to rush into the gents where i continued to vomit into the cold white porcelain bowl.
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an intresting name and such a coincidence that i have up for sale ..'ye olde rubber Galen mask" which i nicked off a very dear friend many years ago whilst passing through his garden en route to the 'lokkies"...the mask is in 'Pre-loved condition"(well it was certainly pre-loved by him")..any way any expressions of interest look for me(i am the B.F.G pumping wads of cash into the fruit machine most days of the week.
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Very oldy worldy pub which is as impressive from the outside as it is inside. It was larger than expected. Food on offer and after looking around there seemed to be various events on in the week. Several ales on but memory a bit hazy of what they were. Chatty barmaid which helped the pub have a nice local feel.
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The previous commentator says "mellow pub" and having dropped in here for a quick pint 2 weekends ago I can completely appreciate the sentiment. The pub is olde worlde and perhaps to some the surfeit of Victoriana, complete with horse brasses, copper-topped tables and oak pannelling might seem a little too heavy. This didn't unduly concern me however and I was just pleased to find a friendly licensee (sporting a shirt and tie - how often does one see that these days - nice touch!), and equally enthusiastic conversation from a couple of local chaps, a father and son who knew the area well and were interested to hear why a bunch of Southern Softies had emerged in Wednesbury of all places!
Ale-wise, it didn't quite match the promise that the Beer Guide implied; the most exciting option was Wye Valley HPA but it was immaculately-kept and if that's an indication of the usual standard, then I have no complaints. We noted that 4 days after our visit a festival was planned, with some less familiar choices on offer - I hope that event worked well for them.
Really this pub will appeal primarily on grounds of its cosy interior and characterful kerb-appeal, in an otherwise mixed built-up area. It is perhaps unexceptional, and maybe even a little dated, but that doesn't mean you'd be disappointed if you dropped in for a drink or two. I am confident you'd receive as warm a welcome as we did.
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Quite a nice Sunday lunchtime experience in this mellow pub at the bottom of a hill. Perhaps the three choices for real ale were a little lacking in imagination, but that said my pint of Ruddles County was in excellent condition. The choice for food was reasonable served with efficiency and civility. Where the pub scores points for me was in it's character - about half a dozen little rooms with an unforced rustic feel. and a generally relaxed atmosphere. A good 'un, 7.5 out of 10.
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as an employee of the olde leathern bottel i can honestly say its the best place ive ever worked. the staff are easy going pleasure to work with. as a 22 year old it wouldnt have been my first choice as its a very old fashioned pub but after seein the people that go in and work there its my first choice now. im not a real ale drinker so cant comment on that but the food is fantastic well worth tryin. i see alot of differnt faces all the time in there an its a pleasure to serve them all. pop in an see for your self.
anonymous - 6 Jun 2007 17:09 |
Went in this pub for the first time the other week. I had a addidas jumper on so i was looked upon as a hoody thug which I certainly aren't. Even so it was very busy and seemed a nice pub until I was asked to leave for been a "hoody". I was actually doing my daily run and had a phone call off some friends to join them which I did. I am training for the marathon in Florida which my "hoody" wages will be paying for. Will not be using again as it was abit rude and embarrassing....thank you to the narrow minded management ( I wouldnt have minded but the couple of young lads sat near us had mouths like sewers!!!!)
anonymous - 29 Apr 2007 21:11 |
Nice, typical Black Country multi-roomed hidden local. Went for Bombardier as always reliable around here - good if not great. Worth a stop.
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I've been drinking in this pub for just over 30 years now and it just gets better atmosphere wise (although the ale is a tad expensive for the Black Country). Lately, I've never had a bad pint or meal and the Cask Marque is richly deserved. The customers are on the whole very friendly and knowledeable about the local area. I was extremely surprised to find out that this pub seems to be a mecca for folk from abroad, quite often an Aussie or American accent will join the Black Country twang at the bar. I might be wrong but I think that it's something to do with a local history group who meet on Mondays.......certainly adds colour!
woden - 20 Oct 2005 03:25 |
Best pub in the Black Country. Beer, food, service and atmosphere unrivalled. 16 years of drinking there and still haven't been asked "wot yow lookin at?"
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Very old fashioned style pub, excellent food! Worth a drive out to for a meal. Real ales served.
anonymous - 2 Jan 2005 19:59 |
