July 2024. Stafford.
Finally on our Stafford stumble, an actual bit of walking as we head towards a trio of northern pubs beyond the prison reserved for folk who asked for a top-up on a half.
Will decided to impede our progress by stopping to take pics of pubs live and dead;
I retaliated by pausing at every crumbling relic,
and admire what used to be Sandonia, derelict since 2004.
Ain’t it grand ?
As is the King’s Arms, a mid terrace gem just behind Stafford Rangers ground where I once saw Cambridge during their Conference glory days.
I love a mid-terrace pub, and had been to the King’s Arms before, with no recollection at all of its joys.
An Old Mudgie friendly beer line-up,
an Old Mudgie friendly soundtrack (just the right volume),
cheery landlady and locals,
bench seating.
Can’t think of much more to say, really. Will was in charge of notes.
Will didn’t have the Bass (NBSS 3+) Don’t be like Will.
Well, do, obviously, but, y’know.
retiredmartin 
How often does Stafford Paul get to this pub?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well he’d been recently to check it out, and presumably arrange for a welcoming committee and CAMRA discounts, but Paul seems to spend most of his free time in Atherstone. I must join him there.
LikeLike
Dave, Thirteen pints there so far this year so about fortnightly. It’s the pub I use fourth most often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The King’s Arms and Waggon and Horses were the surprise gems of the day. Great pubby feel as well as good Bass.
LikeLike
Yes, two definite gems.
My scores for Will’s six pubs, based on pints drunk during the first six months of this year, are
12 – Kings Arms
10 – Hogarths ( 9am opening )
5 – Waggon and Horses
5 – Butlers Bell ( includes three free pints at the preview evening )
2 – Shrewsbury Arms
2 – Greyhound
That’s six of 22 Stafford pubs used over the six months.
I got in 22 pubs with my recent three nights in the Lake District making a total of 200 pubs so far this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done Paul, 200 isn’t bad for someone who doesn’t get out much !
Definitely King’s Arms my favourite, and based on previous trips I’d go back to the Railway, Sun and Bird in Hand.
LikeLike
Well maybe, but on 72 days, two-fifths of the time, I didn’t get to a pub. But on none of those 72 days did I drink at home.
LikeLike
If I’d seen your photos I would definitely have gone for the Bass. I’m tempted even now, a week later and over a hundred miles away in Somerset. (And I’ve missed last orders too.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amateur.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will, And a tip for next time, don’t waste time or money on the Butlers Bell’s fizz, get in the Kings Arms by 3pm and there’s a discount on the Bass, only £3.42 a pint. Stafford can’t be far off the route from Somerset to Sheffield.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bass in the Kings Arms was drinking remarkably well again this afternoon, but £3.80 as I was after 3pm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very pleased to hear it, Paul. It’s always good to hear about good quality cask in a great pub while on Discourse CAMRA concerns itself with defining “good” beer and another administrative restructure.
LikeLike
It’s all about postcodes at the moment !
LikeLike