MADELEY.

This pub was a brewpub when there were only four in the country. It was there at the start of CAMRA and apart from a couple of years has always been a brewpub. Now the home of Worefield Brewery. The Dabley Ale now brewed for the pub, is reminiscent of the low gravity beer always available here - All Nations Pale Ale. It is sensibly priced and you cant go wrong with it. Alas the original family and brewer sold up due to lack of trade taken by the 'non' real ale pub down the road. It was taken on by Jim Birtwhistle who invited the Worfield Brewery to set up there. Upon entrance there is an old fashioned hatch where you can buy ale, very much in the style of the 'off-trade' hatch  in city pubs now a lost vestige of gentler times. The bar is rustic also, with a tiled floor (this is near the Jackfield tile museum after all) and wooden tables and chairs. The walls are plain, though there are some pictures, etc on them, nothing fake though. It can appear dark in here, especially if its a bright day outside, but the welcome is always warm and friendly from both staff and locals. At the time of visit there was a guest ale on too. From the outside it can look like a run down house (see picture), but a bit of flaking paint is a small price to pay for a decent pint in a friendly atmosphere. Outside there is a beer garden with barrels for tables and stool chairs. There are umbrellas, but as this is 'high' up a hill, when the wind gets up and its raining - forget it. If you ask nicely (and buy lots of beer) they might let you eat your own food out here as the pub doesn't do any food of its own at present. As it is opposite (on the sight level) Blists Hill living Museum there are times when it can get busy, but it never loses it's charm. In fact it could be easily missed as there are no signs leading you off the main road to it. Before you get to the Blists Hill Museum turning coming from Ironbridge there is what looks like a parking/turning space on the left. Turn here and go up the hill to the immediate right and as you crest the brow the All Nations is behind you. To park you will have to go further up the lane and turn round to come back to their car park. To get to it from the other direction just reverse these directions. Access for the disabled is not easy as there is a step down into the pub, though the toilets are OK, mainly because they are outside - brrrrr! No accommodation here. A good pub to spend the summer at, where the pace of life is reassuringly measured. Opening hours are: 12-3 (4 Sat), 7-11pm; Sun 12-3.30, 7-10.30 (these may now change, so call first).