Turf Tavern, Bloxwichback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub is most definitely not closed: it did go through a patch of sporadic opening, but seems to have settled back down. It's evenings only during the week- 7 to 11, but I believe it opens at lunchtime 12-3 at weekends.
We visited on Dec 30, and literally nothing has changed since our last visit a year or two ago: friendly welcome, great beer, and a great atmosphere to chat and drink in. Beer was the usual Otter Bright, with Holden's Golden Glow and Hobson's Town Crier.
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I believe this pub is currently closed. It certainly looked as if it has been a long time since it has been open when we drove past on Monday. But it certainly left me intrigued and I'd love to give this a go one day.
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Shame that the pub has gone in steep decline. Took ages to be served with poor quality beer. Seems less and less people go in. Some customers waited over 10 minutes to be served before leaving.
Sorry to see this pub go but looks likely in the not too distant future
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We had to be patient because the evening opening time advertised as 7 o'clock slipped by 10 minutes. The landlady is wary of strangers, particularly as we were the first ones in. She relaxed when some regulars appeared soon afterwards. A good range of beers with Otter Bright and RCH Old Slug Porter standing out. Conversation is the order of the day.
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Went in again recently - there are definite signs of decline and sad to say neglect. The beer quality was varied. The regulars seemed a happy enough bunch - still a friendly pub
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Wonderful time warp of a pub in the centre of Bloxwich, opposite the park. It's a family owned freehouse known as Tinky's.
Not having been here before, my initial reaction on reaching the pub and seeing the rather run down looking exterior ( peeling paint on the window sills ) and the absence of any hanging pub sign, was that the pub had closed down. Thankfully, this proved not to be the case.
Once the landlady's initial nervousness at the recent lunchtime arrival of a stranger had worn off, I was made to feel most welcome by both her and the other few customers present. It's very much a locals pub and I don't imagine it gets much, if any, in the way of passing trade.
Situated in a Victorian terrace, it very much resembles a private house from the outside and this feeling is reinforced as you enter. The main bar, with its tiled floor, is on the right of the central corridor and there are two other rooms on the left side of the corridor. These were initially locked, but opened by the landlady for me to have a look, without asking. All three rooms are basic, unspoilt, with fixed seating round the walls and free from modern embellishments. There's a courtyard at the back for outside drinking - which again looks as though it has seen better days - and the customary outside toilets. The pub is listed in CAMRA's National Inventory of Unspoilt Interiors.
The four handpumps were dispensing Pardoe's Bumblehole, RCH Pitchfork, Otter Bright plus Oakham Ales Chaos Engine, which I think is a seasonal beer. Given earlier postings, most of these beers appear to be fairly regular. It's evidently a CAMRA friendly pub and was advertising the forthcoming Walsall Beer Festival. The pub is listed in the 2010 GBG, where it is described as a "pub not to be missed", which is difficult to disagree with.
This really does feel like a pub from a different era and I enjoyed the whole experience immensely, but, externally, both from the front and from the garden at the back, it does rather give the impression of a pub that's struggling and whose days are numbered. Let's hope this is not the case as I really do want to return here some time soon.
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Visited Saturday during a CAMRA presentation. The pub had received yet another in a literally long line of awards with a commendation in the Walsall CAMRA 2009 Pub of the Year competition. It was easy to see why with five great beers from Otley, RCH, Oakham, Otter and Pardoes. All were sampled and all were in superb condition. Will return soon.
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I was only in the front room, so didn't see any of the things mentioned by Archivist. This was my first visit here- I've been meaning to visit for several years.
It truly is a time warp- a proper, traditional pub with conversation and friendly people. Only tried one beer- Bumblehole- as we didn't have time for another. Bloxwich is rapidly becoming a good place to drink, with this and The Bell.
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I will make this point about the Turf. There is a difference between keeping a place 'original' and simple neglect.
The following is becoming more obvious to me; firstly, a step into the yard will show that the windows are rotting and more paint has flaked off than is still visible. The back room, that gives views onto the road, has some seating that is not only ripped, but even looks mouldy.
The handpull beers are becoming more static; It seems Pitchfork, Bright Otter and Pardoe's OLD Swan MILD are always on, with Bumblehole, or JHB taking the other slot.
The beer is still fine and i love the place, but there are a few worrying signs
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Now back in the GBG. The wide range of real ales well kept, the decor original, the locals friendly and the conversation lively . A truly wonderful pub.
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If you have no kids with you and own a pocket watch, you will find this place sheer quality for a quiet pint, array of ales (for my mate JB to dribble over)and customers.
They always have a mild on and though I keep missing the Titanic mild, the Dark Swan is still a great pint.
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This remains my favourite pub in the Midlands (possibly in the country). A good changing selection of beers, an unspoilt Victorian interior (grade II listed), a friendly relaxed atmosphere and no music to spoil the pleasant sound of people talking over a good pint.
Forget the fact that CAMRA have dropped it from the Good Beer Guide 2008 - they obviously don't know what they are doing (it is one of their "National Inventory" pubs worth saving but not even worth a mention in their guide for a visit???). This is a great pub.
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this is a gem and the landlady, Zena, is like an etheral being so wonderful to talk to she makes you feel good and of course the titanic is served to perfection by Zena who always has a word for everybody who enters. a step back in time to the good old days. a pub like it should be it has several rooms and if the doors are locked in any of Zena will open the for you so you can sit quietly and have a pint with your thoughts. there is usually a couple of guest ales as well as the titanics as well as a mild
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Wonderful pub, like stepping back in time to a Black Country pub from decades ago. Its a listed building, although easy to miss from the outside as it looks just like another terraced house in need of a fresh coat of paint. Beers are an excellent range of real ales from smaller local breweries and kept in top condition. Very reasonably priced too. Has got CAMRA awards for several years. I love the place.
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This Camra heritage listed pub is like stepping back in time, without the Ye Olde factor. A true example of a back street bBalck country local. In the same family for generations and not altered at leat the 30s. No fruit machines, juke boxes or owt, just the hubbub of good conversation as regulars and guests alike enjoy the wide range of excellent real ales. Always a friendly welcome.
Jimbo Smith - 7 May 2004 19:16 |
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