Lyttelton Arms

We popped in for a drink at the delightful bar lounge of Lyttelton arms, near Hagley, with its wonderful design that bursts with appeal, its so elegant and colourful, with a pleasant moody scheme of golds, berry colours and torquoise that blend in so well with the greens and blues. The wine coloured bar stools with its marbled topped table all add to this delightful and very pleasant relaxing lounge. The company responsible for this exciting refurbishment programme, have incorporated the theme in many other pubs and inns that belong to the group “Premium country pub collections” have allowed us to enjoy fine food and drinks in very comfortable surroundings, with well trained staff to support us. The British Institute of Interior Design, was founded in 1965, with the purpose to set the highest standards of practice, and their efforts have certainly proved successful. Other places belonging to this group, include our REVIEWS for you of “The Boot inn, Studley, The Kings Arms, Lapworth, The Victoria Barnt Green, The Barnt Green Inn, The Green house, Sutton Coldfield, and the White Swan, Harborne, all in the West Midlands area. You may find this bit of history interesting. The jazz musician Humphrey Littleton was born 23rd May 1921 at Eton college, Buckinghamshire. he attended Sunningdale Preparatory school before attending Eaton college. Here, he “fagged” for Lord Carrington, who became the defence secretary 1970-1974, the foreign secretary 1979-1922. Fagging was a tradition at public schools in which the younger pupils acted as personal servants to the older boys. Each school had its own traditions, but mainly the younger boys did humble tasks, such as polishing boots, brushing cloths, sometimes cooking breakfast, and running errands. Humphrey loved Jazz music, and formed his own band of eight pieces, then in 1956 he had a huge hit with “Bad penny blues” I wonder if His family were concerned, that after all that expense involved with his training and education, that he choose to blow his own trumpet. Littleton died following a surgery on 25th April 2008.

Following our drive around the Clent hills, we popped in for lunch, and although the exterior looks badly in need of love and attention, once inside it’s very nice, warm and welcoming. The deco is of top quality, the food is excellently presented, and a throughly enjoyable visit was taken. There are a few disabled d bays available, and it’s just a short distance to reach the inviting path towards main entrance, for the ramp just follow to right into main courtyard with its many table and chairs, up the ramp, and along to front door. Entering, you will find an attractive reception area to book in for your table, and the friendly and helpful staff will take care of you. The furnishings are pleasant, comfortable and inviting. Showing our premium country pub card, which we recommend you join, we were offered our FREE BOTTLE of Champaigne and very good it was too. Selling at the bar for £61.95, this Moët and Chandon Imperial French bottle with just 12% alcohol had good bubbles, and a pale lemon colour, fresh grape but dull taste, fizzy, dull, dry, lemony mouth drying taste,with hints of apple. We offered 7 out of 10 points, and really enjoyed the glass or two. I had the Rottisiere chicken and fries, and my goodness, it was huge, two portions to battle with, well cooked, juicy and crisp skin. My wife enjoyed the haloumi and fries, and really enjoyed that filling dish. We shared a tiramisu with a coco sauce, which we spilled onto the tray, messy, but very enjoyable, a well deserved 6.5 points. A LYTTLE HISTORY FOR FOR YOU The Lyttleton family history began with Sir Thomas Lyttleton, 1407-1481, who became a judge and a legal writer in 1464. And then inherited the family estate from his mother. They family have owned the nearby HAGLEY HALL since 1564. His oldest son, William, was knighted after the battle of Stoke in 1487; one of the last battles of the war of the Roses. 4 generations later, Humphrey Lyttleton, who died on 7th April 1606, was executed for having been a part of the Gun Powder plot, and he was hanged, hung and quartered, at a place just outside Worcester. Later historical notes shows the Inn was connected by its gangland connections as the me meeting point during the racetrack betting wars during the 20th century, in which rival gangs fought over the monopoly over racecourse pitches, and off course betting rings, which lasted until the Jockey club became involved. The Inn has served as a coaching inn and a country stopover, Recent years saw the 2012 fire in December which nearly destroyed the building, taking 70 firefights to finally control it. This meant a huge restoration programme, before it opened again. Nowadays it’s owned by Mitchell’s and Butler group, and the Lyttleton Arms has become a stylish, modern day pub with a delightful bar and lounge, and pleasant restaurant, that bursts with character throughout.