The black country and West Midlands tends to get over looked as a place of natural beauty, all the more surprising when it is home to one of Europe’s largest networks of canals.
Nestled amongst the natural landscape and the canals are several very popular pubs. Most notably the hidden treasure The Salt Wells Inns, it’s sister pub the Black Lion is equally off the beaten track.
Nestled snuggly in the heart of Churnet Valley lies the Black Lion Pub, a fine example of Staffordshire tradition, a real delight to discover.
When sat in the Beer Garden of this wonderful pub you really begin to appreciate how beautiful the Staffordshire countryside is.
Getting to the Black Lion takes you across the canal and over the Churnet Valley Railway line with Consall station approximately 100yds away and in full view from the beer garden.
The canal, snaking underneath the railway line, coupled with the pleasant roar of the river falling over a weir and the wonderful tree clad valley sides it is a heavenly place to sit and relax.
Finding the Black Lion is simple enough.
By road you can take the A52 from Stoke-on-Trent and head out towards Cellar Head/ Kingsley Moor. Once past Cellarhead you take the A522 and head up towards Wetley Rocks.
Either the first or the second right will take you into Consall village and from there follow the signs for the Black Lion.
There is a car park for the pub which is a short walk over the canal and the railway line which could potentially be a problem for the more disabled customer.
The Black Lion is just one of hundreds of pubs dotted across the West Midlands, weaving in and out of Warwickshire and Staffordshire to the North and Staffordshire and Worcestershire to the West. It’s a truly mysterious place when considering the area is largely unknown by the people who live here!
