Three Kings Inn, Hanley Castleback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Three Kings was my favourite pub in Worcestershire over the weekend. Yes, it has a dirty and worn feel to it and there is an strong smell of damp. But, it also feels very lived in and is as traditional a country pub as you will find anywhere. We entered through the left-hand entrance as you approach the pub. The small room was empty, with no sign of any life. We wandered through what felt like a store cupboard and eventually found the main room where we found the owner and a few other customers. Handpulls dispensing the ales and Old Rosie cider are hidden away amongst the clutter. But, ales are listed on a small blackboard. On our visit, they were Butcombe Original, Hobson's Twisted Spire, Church End Silver Jubilee, Parkway Session IPA & Bullen Tawny. I sampled the latter, which was certainly to my taste. A number of jars of pickled items were on sale near the doorway. A fabulous pub where conversation reigns. Just my sort of pub and a decent 9/10 from me. I'd love to have this as my local.
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I staying in the nearby Gilberts End Farm B& and was told about the Three Kings, I checked it out on BITE and was intrigued by the comments. Agreed this is probably one of the dirtiest pubs you will ever find, BUT WHAT A GEM. YOU MUST MUST MUST VISIT. You will be charmed, you are not, then you have no beer in your vein, no soul, no heart.
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Speaking as a ‘Real Ale Romantic’ I would suggest the gentleman below heads to one of the many thousands of pubs around the country which have been steam cleaned and smartened by their brewery and pub-co masters, or indeed one of the many thousands of giant multi-national owned coffee houses, if he objects to the standard offered by the Three Kings. Thus the modern man need never suffer the terrible burden of entering a pub which maybe a bit rough and ready around the edges, which may have a bit of grime about the place, where local people may speak to you unprovoked and where there is no formal complaints procedure directed to a head office.
There are plenty of them, sir, you need never again darken the door of this amazing old place, which indeed has a very great deal of ‘character’.
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It is a dirty pub and could do with a complete clean out. There is flaking paint, plaster falling off, cobwebs and real dirt. Real ale romantics will see it all as "character".
The land lady is very eccentric to the point of arrogance. R. A. R's will see her as a "character".
I had a bacon butty and wanted a coffee afterwards. The butty was fine but I am still waiting for the coffee. Said landlady stumped off muttering curses at the very thought.
It is an experience that will divide opinion completely.
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Came here on a ale drinkers minibus outing on diamond jubilee weekend, apart from the weather we werent dissappointed. The ales were good and there was a nice friendly atmosphere even though we weren't "yokels", lovely little treasure of a place, 8/10
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I may not be popular for this but this is probably the dirtiest pub in the U.K.
However a strange combination of strong individuals and loyal customers defend it fiercely. People who would normally jump up and down if they found a tiny speck on their knife put up with opaque glasses and are happy to wipe their feet on the way out. Trad ales are normally excellent and loos are not too bad. Friendly landlady who appears to work about 120 hours a week. Nearly always busy.
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Great atmosphere, great landlady, great beer, great pub. Highly recommend.
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The Three Kings public house is a very friendly pub whichI have visited quite often when I have the chance. The landlady sue, delivers a good pint of real ale from the pulls. The quaint old bar which is not like any other is very friendly also with the many locals which use the place. It gets very popular on a Sunday evening as on one ocasion, I found tyhat I could not get in as it was full to the door. A very nice, old very friendly pub.
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Had a couple of visits again this week. What a pub? Don't expect a modern pub here. Grubby old pub, pub, beer, landlady, locals and dogs all superb. I have been to many pubs, this one has to be one of the best. There must be more gems like this out there I will have to keep looking for them. Who needs a time machine?
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A little gem this one. Not to be missed if you like "proper pubs". Ales are top notch and well served.
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A superb traditional village pub, in the same family for over a 100 years. Beer is the main thing here, Butcombe & Hobsons Best always available along with a range of interesting guest beers. Superb!
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Pubs don't get much better
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This place is on CAMRA's National Inventory of heritage pubs, and going here is a real step back in time. An attractive red brick exterior with rather homemade looking sign invites you into a narrow corridor; it was a bit like going into a private house! I went through the nearest (sliding) door and fell into a tiny room with the most miniscule bar/serving hatch-type thing. This room was stuffed to the rafters with locals (and wet dogs) and I imagined we we're going to be made to feel a bit out of place but as tourists me and my drunker half were made to feel most welcome, the atmosphere was amazing.
A most decent pint of Wye Valley HPA was supped.
Excellent, well worth making a detour for!
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A love-it-or-hate-it place. Completely out of step with modern Britain, time seems to have stood still at this country pub for about fifty years. There's no electric till and certainly no jukebox. Log fires in Nell's bar and the tiny Public bar, dartboard in the "Family Room."
Real ale fans will appreciate rotating guest beers. Butcombe (yes, really) is always available and, I think, Guinness. There's also a tap at the bar that says "Carlsberg," but it's bad form to ask for it. My mate tried once. The landlady guffawed and told him to order a man's drink.
Folk gigs happen fairly often and there's a Friday afternoon blues session featuring a number of teachers from the nearby secondary school.
The summer beer festival features well over 50 real ales including some really obscure brews.
The place keeps odd opening hours, closing between lunchtime and the evening. Food takes an eternity to arrive, but is decent when it comes. I adore the Three Kings because it's like stepping into a bygone era. Go there if you want proper beer, a good conversation and no mod cons.
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