March 2024. Newport (Shropshire).
The rain abated, we made a dash for tea and a tick;
Disappointingly, Newport (Salop) only has one “tourist attraction” and it doesn’t open till Friday. So no chance of a cheeky watch battery, porcelain duck or artisan cheese.
Last time here, and it was 7 years ago, I described Newport as having “a low-key beauty, a little like Bridgnorth-on-the-cheap“.
And that still holds,
but it has acquired the holy trinity of West Midlands modern chain pub. Joules, Black Country Ales, and a Titanic bod.
And bod, as in Alsager, adds something to a town without a Spoons. Early opening (and closing), all-day food, the sort of “pub” even a Mumsnetter wouldn’t be scared to visit alone. It’s a cafe with good beer.
An interesting building,
but the usual Titanic branding from the Gents to the back wall.
Mrs RM went “mmmm” again as she realises that Plum Porter is almost impossible to ever be less than NBSS 3, though some will never get over the fact there aren’t real plums in it or something.
We were tight to the deadline for ordering tea. Mrs RM demanded “comfort food”.
Mrs RM got comfort food. She started her health kick the next day.
Well, after the pudding from Waitrose on the way back to our campervan.
retiredmartin 
The West Midlands holy trinity might be starting to have a fourth contender (Davenports).
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“And bod adds something to a town without a Spoons”. Yes, somewhere you can pay over £4 for a pint.
Did you not have time for Craft Union’s Pheasant or to away from the main streets into the Honeysuckle ?
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I’d had a heavy day in Cannock and New Street on the Tuesday, before, or I certainly might have been tempted. We were also a bit sodden !
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Hi Martin – it felt very Mumsnet when I visited the Newport bod, although a pint of Raspberry pale made up for it! Still slightly undecided on the concept, as they don’t feel pubby enough for me, but the beer quality is usually reliable in my experience. Got my eye on the Alsager and Matlock ones at some point. Cheers, Paul
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I doubt they’re aimed at me, Paul, or you, so hard to judge them really. This bod isn’t in the Beer Guide (yet) but it could well be.
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