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STAFFORD.

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Real Ales on Tap:
Jennings Cumberland
Pedigree
plus guest..

Nearest Accommodation:
Here.

 
Spittle Brook Ale House
106 Lichfield Rd
Stafford
ST17 4LP
(01785) 245681.

This two roomed pub is close to the railway, but not the station - about 1 mile away. The pub has received some love and attention of late and is back better than before. A real fire warms in winter and for summer you can sit outside. Serving a range of beers including some usual suspects and some good ales from further afield. Food is also served here at lunch and evenings and is traditional and filling. Be aware though that no food is served on Sunday evenings. If you like live music there is folk every Tuesday and a quiz Wednesdays. Accommodation is available here.


 

 

Real Ales on Tap:
At least 5 Titanic Ales
plus 2 guests.

Nearest Accommodation:
Here.

Stafford Arms
 Railway Street
Stafford
Opposite BR Station
(01785) 253313.

This is the pub (open all day) has new owners but still serves beers from the Titanic Brewery of Stoke-on-Trent. It was CAMRA local pub of the year in 1996 but has not quite reached those hieghts since. This is not a complaint, just an observation. On the day/night there were four Titanic beers on and no guests. There used to be, but no more. All the Titanic beers were good and the selection included the latest beers out of the stable. As for food, there are signs alluding to it, but we saw nothing on this occasion to confirm it was available. The pub, being based on a ship motif, has plenty of memorabilia from big ships around the walls, including two large anchors and black and white pictures. The walls are Artexed, painted white, and the bar that reminded me of the 1970's. The seating was comfy and spacious - there's plenty of room to stand and sit, though they have a strange arrangement of sofas by the door which  really means unless you are part of a larger group, it would be difficult to find a seat here. There is a sign outside saying that the accommodation is available (£55 a double), but you should ring first to be sure. The railway station - West Coast mainline - is next door so there is no excuse for missing your train. Try the Stafford Arms as it's well worth looking for it, the beer is great!

 

closed down.

Open:

Monday-Saturday:

Sunday:
Map

 

11-11

12-10.30
 

 

Additional Notes: I have recently taken over the Stafford Arms. Due to the building being left closed for so long, we are experiencing a few teething problems. This is my first pub, so I am not quite sure what to expect. We have no Titanic beer on, just some guests as punch taverns own the building. we currently have no rooms to let out for b&b purposes, as they are mostly in a bad state of repair, but I am trying to bring the pub back into its former glory. If everyone can carry on being patient and as supportive as they have so far then I'm sure I'll get there. (Selina Wilson - 03/01/06)


Real Ales on Tap:
BASS
Adnams
Pedigree
Burton Bridge Spring Ale

Nearest Accommodation:
Stafford Arms.
Tap and Spile
 59 Peel Terrace
off B5066
(01785) 223563.

Situated a little less than a mile out of the town centre, this pub would have been worth the trip in the days before Century Inns took over. Then it would have had 8 of the most unusual guest beers on at any one time. These days you get 4 of the not so unusual. On at the timer were: Burton Bridge Spring Ale, Adnams Broadside, BASS and Marston's Pedigree. From the outside this Tap & Spile looks like an old house, with bay windows and stained glass effects. The decor is all ochre colour washed walls and wood panelling. The floor is wood too. A real fire keeps you warm in winter and can get very hot if you stand too close! The bar area is spacious and there are seats around the edge along with wooden tables - some to seat 8 people. A no smoking area is towards the back and the clean toilets. You can also have private parties here, not in the toilet, the no smoking room! There is also a public bar to the right of the main entrance. Food is served until 10 on a Saturday, though earlier in the week. The food is traditional but wholesome, burgers, sandwiches, onion rings, steak, chicken, etc. Prices are reasonable and are in line with Wetherspoon's. The pub holds regular quiz nights and if you can get on it there is free bar billards. Outside there is a beer garden for the summer. Access for the disabled is limited as there are steps to the toilets. Open: 12.30-2.30, 6.30-11 Sat/Sun 12-10.30. (A. Best)

Open:

Monday-Saturday:

Sunday:
Map

11-11

12-10.30
 

 

Additional Notes:

All real ales kept in very good condition. Two real fires but were not lit as weather was mild. Decor in very good condition with each room having a colour scheme. The bar was in the largest room to the right hand side through the main door. All rooms had easy access to the bar. There was one no-smoking area. Pub sports feature in this pub, including free bar-billiards. No music just friendly conversation. Only bar snacks available. Tues night complimentary buffet for all taking part in the General Knowledge Quiz. Best: The choice of real ale and the atmosphere. The beer is excellent and the regulars are warm and friendly. Worst: the bar area can get smokey. (16/5/04)

 


Real Ales on Tap:
Shepherd Neame Spitfire
plus up to three guests.

Nearest Accommodation:
Stafford Arms.
The Picture House
 Bridge Street
Stafford
(01785) 222941.

A Grade II listed building and former cinema, the Picture House in Staffords City Centre, is one of JD Wetherspoon's most recent restorations. It is a large one roomed establishment though is divided into three distinct drinking sections which are essentially where the cinemas seating once was. The bar itself is at the far end of the pub where the screen would have been. The cinema theme has been maintained in a number of ways. The box office has been retained in the pub foyer and a ticket office manager has been employed to greet customers (even if he is only a mannequin!). Inside the main room the walls are adorned with cinema memorabilia such as film posters and black and white pictures of the cinema greats. Other original features have been retained such as the ceilings ornate plasterwork and mouldings and, outside, its stained glass Art Deco name sign. The pub also has a pleasant and fairly substantial patio area, with a number of tables and benches for those wishing to drink al fresco. Food is the usual Wetherspoon menu and is served from 11-10pm (12 noon until 9.30pm Sundays) with burger and jacket potatoes beginning at around £2.40. More substantial meals are available for hungry drinkers. The Picture House had three guest beers on including the Lichfield Brewery's Steeplejack. The clientele was fairly mixed when visited (late one Saturday afternoon) with lone drinkers, couples, and groups of drinkers. The toilets are clean and spacious with lots of shiny surfaces. The presence of a floor to ceiling mirror in the gents toilet was noted as a welcome feature (other pub designers please note - men like to check their appearances too!). The Picture House does not provide any accommodation but for those wishing to stay in Stafford, the local Tourist Information Office (01785) 240204 can provide a list of places that can oblige.

Open:

Monday-Saturday:

Sunday:
Map

11-11

12-10.30
 

 

Additional Notes: Access to the bar is at the bottom of a few sets of stairs (old cinema style) making it inaccessible to wheelchair* users. There is also a small step at the entrance to the pub, however most wheelchair users, manual and powered, should be able to deal with this. There is a stair lift to the left side of the steps as you walk in, but unfortunately, no-one has been shown or trained how to use this. On a positive note, bar staff will take your order at your table for food and drink, but this requires getting the attention of the staff, which is not always possible especially on the busy nights like Friday and Saturday when the place is packed out, and the quiet periods, when there are less staff on taking out food/cleaning.

The disabled toilet is near the entrance, and uses a RADAR key - most people who are wheelchair users and or disabled, will have one of these which are available from most councils for £2.50. The pub itself has a key for the toilet, and even has a sign saying that a key is available at the bar, but you have to get to the bar first.

The tables are often very sticky, and service can vary wildly, ask for something without salad or veg, and it can come with salad or veg anyway, it may just go back to the kitchen for a plate scraping rather than a freshly cooked item - Vegetarians would not have to put up this, and neither should carnivores like myself. As with all Wetherspoons pubs, menus are clearly labelled as suitable for vegetarians and whether or not some meals contain nuts or traces of nuts.

It has it's faults but I do like this pub. It's has clearly marked smoking and non-smoking areas, being an ex "traditional" cinema it has high ceilings for smoke to rise,
so for a non-smoker like myself, I can choose not to choke on my beer unlike some places where the smoke greets you at the door.

I really want to give this pub a better review, but can't do so right now.  * I am carer for a person who uses a wheelchair  (Sarah - 19/11/04)

 

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 http://www.beerguide.co.uk
Last Updated 08/01/06

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