The town was built around the terminus where the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal and Birmingham canal converge. Prior to the waterways there was nothing but a sleepy village here, the influx of barges, business and people warranting a new name for the place. Stourmouth at first, then Newport (which was thankfully changed because we've got enough of those and it's already confusing), finally settling on the name Stourport in 1771.
It now has a population of over 20,000, a couple of frustratingly busy roads through the centre, and a surprising number of amusement arcades.
I escaped the initial traffic chaos and challenging road crossings, making my way to the Holly Bush...
I always think I must be getting close to completing all the Black Country Ales pubs. Even with two more the day after this, I'm still nowhere near close.
I am a fan of them. Yet how many beers are too many?
Eight in this case. My pick of a Zest 'Timelord' was way past its best and almost certainly should have been returned to the bar.
The Guinness beer mat is past its best too...
At least the cob was a winner. Onions in tuperware on the bar for you to add to your taste.
The Hollybush is a sizeable pub cosisting the bar room, two snugs, and a lounge on a lower level to one side, TV showing sports at the far end to an audience of none.
That lounge area used to belong to a cottage next door, the original fireplace at the end retained when the pub expanded into this space.
The Hollybush is a sizeable pub cosisting the bar room, two snugs, and a lounge on a lower level to one side, TV showing sports at the far end to an audience of none.
That lounge area used to belong to a cottage next door, the original fireplace at the end retained when the pub expanded into this space.
There were a handful of locals in a table by the bar and a couple of families in the snug, the Holly Bush busier than my pictures make out, but not busy enough for all those casks of beer to be drunk swiftly.
The crowds were up the road in the Black Star...
The crowds were up the road in the Black Star...
In a great location, with the best outdoor seating lining the path overlooking the canal below.
Stepping through the main entrance the impressive snack display is the first thing that stands out.
The centrally placed bar has counters facing three ways into the small lobby and rooms either side. Different handpumps depending which way you went, necessitating some back and forth for the fussy beer drinker.
I settled on the Woodcote Brewing Co 'XPA' from nearby Bromsgrove.
Also available were brews from Wye Valley, the common-round-this-way Ludlow 'Gold, a Hobson's seasonal ale, and another from the Woodcote Brewing Co.
I avoided the more food orientated tables in the chapel-side, but was left perching on a stool by the window ledge in the busy boozier trad pub side.
And completely failed to get a picture to show what either room was like.
I avoided the more food orientated tables in the chapel-side, but was left perching on a stool by the window ledge in the busy boozier trad pub side.
And completely failed to get a picture to show what either room was like.
Glass returned to the bar, I strolled through the streets down to the River Severn and the canal basins.
Not what I expected at all.
There were a host of ways to entertain yourself here from crazy golf to skateboarding to eating ice cream in rowing boats.
The Treasure Island fairground was a slice of seaside resort in landlocked Worcestershire. I resisted agitating the dubious Zest beer by riding on the Freak Out frisbee or Sky Flyer. I resisted a visit to the big Davonport's pub. Instead walking a little further down the river to the more peaceful surroundings of the Angel.
The Treasure Island fairground was a slice of seaside resort in landlocked Worcestershire. I resisted agitating the dubious Zest beer by riding on the Freak Out frisbee or Sky Flyer. I resisted a visit to the big Davonport's pub. Instead walking a little further down the river to the more peaceful surroundings of the Angel.
This is a Grade II listed red brick building standing above the river with some fine al-fresco tables. It dates back to the mid 18th century with the different brickwork of the 3rd storey suggesing someone decided it needed to be one floor higher and added this at a slightly later date.
It's lovely inside: a central passage with the Georgian Bar to the left and a dining room to the right.
On the bar were two options from Stourport's own BOA Brewery: 'Peace Out' or 'Lock n Load'. Or Banks's on keg, or ciders from the box, should you prefer.
I ordered the 'Peace Out', a light pale ale hopped with Citra and Enigma, at a very sensible 3.6%. An enjoyable pint served in good condition.
Why do they put cushions on the front of bars?
I ordered the 'Peace Out', a light pale ale hopped with Citra and Enigma, at a very sensible 3.6%. An enjoyable pint served in good condition.
Why do they put cushions on the front of bars?
'Last Man Standing', 'The River', 'Racing in the Street', and 'Thunder Road' making for a bit of a Springsteen fest whilst I was there.
Back up on the High Street I spied a bar bistro that was reputed to serve a well-kept ale.
This was a fine micro (sort of) - a rectangular room with regular tables at the front by the window and some high stools towards the back where most of the Tuesday afternoon custom had gathered.
I quaffed the ale too fast and felt a bit guilty about my visit to Fedoras being so short. I was gone in the time it took Counting Crows to sing 'Mr Jones'.
Cheerio Stourport.
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