Day trip to Lye

Lye? No I hadn't heard of it either and only discovered it when our lovely son gifted me a Gin Afternoon Tea at Windsor Castle Inn

Lye is just outside Stourbridge and being honest it isn't really a location to visit, however the pub, brewery and distillery is a must! 

We decided to go on Hubby's birthday as going by train meant going through Birmingham and was a great opportunity for breakfast and evening drinks. Hubby really enjoyed his full English at the Sun on the Hill; I had their Spanish breakfast which was potatoes and chorizo topped with an egg, it was delicious but a huge portion.

As Hubby's birthday is just before Christmas we could also enjoy the Birmingham Christmas German Market. The market stalls and Christmas tree looked amazing in the blue December skies but the market was a bit disappointing. The only German reference was the bratwurst and steins of beer .... every other stall was either food or drink, all the same and very expensive. Austrian and Hungarian Christmas markets are full of many food and drink stalls but all selling different items and there are many different crafts on sale. I haven't been to the Birmingham one for a few years, if you want a night of eating and drinking under the stars in a log cabin atmosphere it would be a great place to go.

The train to Lye was direct from Snowhill Station, it was very interesting to see the west side of Birmingham. The Windsor Castle Inn was a short walk from the station was a super surprise when we walked in. The bar was a proper bar with a superb selection of beer, not just lagers. We were very conscious that we were having a Gin Afternoon Tea but could not resist a beer first, just two halves. 

The pub was quite busy with works Christmas parties which gave a very festive fun atmosphere. We had no idea what to expect, our first delemia was which gin. Beginning with Dr Hardewicke's Gin we also tried their Christmas Gin. Both were amazing, clean and full of flavour.

Our Afternoon Tea arrived: a plate of delicious sandwiches, two large pigs in blankets as it was Christmas, mini mince pies and a selection of mini desserts. It was so delicious, I cut my desserts in half to try them all and then enjoy the other halves in order of favourite... it was a hard decision.

We were not ready to leave, we would have stayed all night hee hee, so we had another beer. I opted for a half of Letterhead Stout, full of chocolate, vanilla and marshmallow flavours ... it was a superb pudding beer. Hubby enjoyed a pint of their Bumblesbees Pale Honey Ale, there was so much variety it was hard to choose.

As a treat to myself I bought their festive tasting box which contained five different gins, mixers and all the recommended garnishes. The packaging was so clever, very simple, very planet friendly with the gin being the highlight. It has been very nice to enjoy these gins at home over the festive season ... cheers.

It was a superb Tea, we are hoping to visit again one day even if it is 45 miles away or a two hour train journey. I have however discovered that they have accommodation so there's an option. 

Thank you Windsor Castle Inn for a superb birthday gift for me and great birthday day out for Hubby.