one week and counting...

[Pete of Ebor]

Well, we're a week away from out annual trip, in fact this year marks our 21st Annual cruise - This year it's a week on Ther Llangollen, and possibly a trip on the Monty. Last time we did the Llangollen was 2001 when Foot & Mouth was raging. Every so far along the towpath, you had to walk through a trough of disinfectant - a bit cold if you were wearing sandals, but at least my feet were clean... !

We're starting at Trevor, with Saturday evening in Llangollen, then back along the way to Barbridge (..possibly even Middlewich time permitting) then back. Any recommendations (good or bad) for pubs along the way. Any pubs closed ?

[larkshall]

Well, we're a week away from out annual trip, in fact this year marks our 21st Annual cruise - This year it's a week on Ther Llangollen, and possibly a trip on the Monty. Last time we did the Llangollen was 2001 when Foot & Mouth was raging. Every so far along the towpath, you had to walk through a trough of disinfectant - a bit cold if you were wearing sandals, but at least my feet were clean... !

We're starting at Trevor, with Saturday evening in Llangollen, then back along the way to Barbridge (..possibly even Middlewich time permitting) then back. Any recommendations (good or bad) for pubs along the way. Any pubs closed ?

 

Jealousy rules here. Heh a thought you talking about pubs, I wonder how few pubs are left after your last trip what?, 11 years ago?

Edited May 11, 2012 by larkshall

[dor]

The Barbridge is ok, but expensive since its relaunch. They don't like dogs either apparently.

[john6767]

We are heading that way later in the summer, so a pub report following your trip would be welcome!

Edited May 11, 2012 by john6767

[STUBAG]

The Barbridge is ok, but expensive since its relaunch. They don't like dogs either apparently.

Well, they're obviously not Korean!

[MikeT]

[We left Chirk on the 14th April and it was very cold so we were not inclined to do long days so we didn't get as far as we would have done in warmer parts of the year. Apart from the weekend it was generally very quiet with no queues at Grindley or at the narrows near Llangollen.

 

Re pubs seem to remember-

 

1st night (Sat) stopped Hindford at the Jack Mytton Inn– not bad but busy and probably the dearest.

2nd night stopped above Grindley Brook locks and walked down to the Horse & Jockey near the bottom lock , again busy but not bad and cheaper than the Jack Mytton.

3rd night we had gone as far as Wrenbury where we turned and stopped at the Willeymoor Inn, good and reasonable, Landlady said was in the middle of changing the credit card provider so cash only when we were there.

4th night stopped Ellesmere but as it was a wet and miserable evening we stayed in and broke out the emergency rations!

5th night stopped Gledrid by the Poachers Pocket which is a Marstons chain pub who tend to do 2 for 1 type offers so cheap and cheerful.

6th night Llangollen, again a bit of a wet evening so went to the nearest pub the Bridge End which pretty basic but had a good meal at reasonable cost. We moored on the linear moorings as told not so far to walk into town as from the new basin which the other side of the tow path but don't think much in it. Overnight mooring fee (£6.00 I think) the same for either place and both have individual power hook up/water supply. Also not important to us but no tv signal where we were but apparently ok in the basin.

7th night back in Chirk Marina where we used the bar in the adjacent Chirk golf club which was nothing special but not that expensive and unfortunately no buzz as hardly anybody else there. Would have probably done better to have got in the car and gone somewhere else but feel that's a bit cheating!

 

Not a long list but hope it helps - hope you have a good time.

[Dog]

 

3rd night we had gone as far as Wrenbury where we turned and stopped at the Willeymoor Inn

So you were at Wrenbury and didn't go to the Cotton Arms? Shame on you. Great pub.

[john6767]

Thanks for that. We leave the marina on what is basically the start of the trip on Saturday, Llangollen basin on 5th August if all goes to plan. I hasten to add that we unfortunately still have to work, so the boat will be tucked up on its own in various marinas along the way for significant parts of the time .

[MikeT]

Duly shamed - will try to do better next time!

 

 

quote name='Dog' timestamp='1337876822' post='878385']

So you were at Wrenbury and didn't go to the Cotton Arms? Shame on you. Great pub.

[Timx]

All i would add is dont be afraid to travel late, it all goes quiet, people try to moor up early for a good spot, if all goes wrong park it anywhere and get up early to move on..that was my experience in mid June last year.

[Pete of Ebor]

We are heading that way later in the summer, so a pub report following your trip would be welcome!

Got back today, but what a week !!! So hot we had to shelter in pubs to avoid the sunburn... anyway, here's where we went...

Saturday - picked up boat from Trevor

Sat Night - Llangollen and a beer festival on the Train followed by a curry

Sun Eve - Bridge Inn, Chirk Bank down road from Br.21 Banks's Mild & Bitter. Basic but good value, though we did drink them out of mild

Mon Lun - On to The Monty and The Queens Head. A little more expensive but OK

Mon Afternoon - Tried the Navigation at Maesbury Marsh but was shut. To be fair, it was only 5:30pm on a Monday

Mon eve - Queen's Head again. Excellent food.

Tue Lun - Ellesmere. Black Lion, but it closed at 3pm. The White Hart is well worth a visit but only opens at 4pm. Curry House next door to White hart is OK too

Wed - Lunch at Horse & Jockey at Grindley Brook. About 6 beers on, all good. License even showed us round his cellar !

Wed - eve. Swan at Marbury. Nice village but the pub was a bit disapointing. Very quiet

Thu afternoon Quick stop at The Horse & Jockey at Grindley Brook again, then on to Whitchurch. We found the pubs there a bit disapointing but the Old Town Hall vaults and the Anchor are OK. There's a good curry house called "Hannah Indian Restaurant" excellent value.

Fri - Lunch was Ellesmere again and Fri Eve was The Bridge Inn at Chirk Bank again

There's a few to be going at...