ALCESTER.

The Holly Bush is at the top of town behind the church away from the main drag. It doesn't look much at first from the outside, just an ordinary window tells you it is a pub, through this you can see the public bar. This small room, immediately to the left as you enter has an olde worlde feel to it with a used carpet and nicotine stained walls. There are a number of round tables and stools here in addition to the bench seating round the walls. On one wall there is a pub quiz league rosta that shows how seriously they take it here. The bar is a small area, but on a Saturday night it was not too busy. It can get smoky in here though with only four people smoking. Walk further down the corridor and the pub opens up into a number of areas. To the left is the other side of the bar (a square all told - note the circular whiskey dispenser in the middle). Most people congregate here to get served, and there is seating of round tables and chairs/stools. The room to the right has a large blackboard on one wall with the menu on. The seating here is large tables (seating 8 people), you can also go down some steps to the no smoking room, which can often be deserted on a Saturday night. There are pictures of old Alcester on the walls and square tables. There is one other room at the front of the pub with bare floors, as is most of the pub, with pine tables and plain walls. The beers on at the time were: Okells Bitter, Hadrian Legion Ale, Brakspear Bitter, Uley Bitter plus one other. All were served well, though the measures were short every time. The food was interesting and good sized portions, prices were about £6-9 for a main course. Food is served up until 9pm and between 12 and 2.30pm at lunchtimes, though check as changes were afoot at time of visit. There is no music here as there is plenty of conversation and the atmosphere is good and relaxed. Access for the disabled could be possible, though there appears to be no disabled toilet. No accommodation here.

This pub is just 10 yards from the Three Tuns on the same side of the street and has a large single room that is rather strangely decorated. At the rear of the room, by the toilets, they have covered the low ceiling beams with old cigarette packets?! Odd is not the word. I know mugs and plates are boring, but this is just plain weird. Most of the room is exposed brickwork and heavy carpets adorn the floor. The Royal Oak is open all day and serves food to match - just traditional pub grub at average prices of £3.99 - £5.50. there is narrow access to the bar area as it appears to be in what must have been a hallway when the pub was a house. Hence disabled access can be had, but at a squeeze. Parking is also difficult as it is on the main Alcester shopping street. Music is provided by a jukebox and fruit machines and a nice touch is that the toilets are carpeted (but for how long?). Beer on at the time was only Wadworths, but a pint of 6X went down well, if a little too cool. No accommodation, but try the Swan Hotel (see below).

This pub is the spiritual home of the Bull's Head brewery. Or rather was until it was found too difficult to keep the brewery warm and the cellar cold together. The licensee hopes to be brewing again in the near future. Also contrary to roumor, it does not serve 8 real ales, but 4! A single roomed pub, the Three Tuns reminds you of a small knitwear and jam shop once inside. From the outside it looks like a bottle shop as it has substantial collections in the window. Built around the Jacobean period, you can still see the original wood and mud walls through a small plastic panel to your left as you walk in. The bar is built of brick which isn't offset by the whitewash walls, giving it an unfinished tea rooms appearance. These can be stark on a bright day. The pub is surprisingly warm in spite of this, and especially as it has stone flags for flooring. The toilets are in the annex, so be prepared for a chill in the winter. The beers on at the time were Crouch Vale Millenium Gold; Hobson's Bitter; Goff's Jouster; Burton Bridge Bridge Bitter. No food is served, though there appears to be a sandwich container by the plastic panel. Very much a locals pub with occasional music - jazz - where the stranger gets stared at. No accommodation is available here. (G. Whone - 1/4/97)

Other Pubs to Try:

See also the Swan Hotel 70-yards from the Three Tuns at the bottom of the High Street. This is a two-roomed pub (one large front room, one entrance hall, come bar), full of little farm implements and 'odd' objects. It serves Highgate Saddlers as its only concession to good taste. The Swan Hotel does accommodation in the price range £40 - £55 for a double en-suite.
The Turks Head: Three real ales (Hook Norton Bitter, Taylor Landlord, Wye Valley HPA plus Erdinger.