The Hawthorns was recommended to me by a drummer I was chatting with on Saturday night. Working on his sole direction that it was 'round the corner from the Malt Shovel', I found it tucked away down a side street, opposite what used to be the library.
The Hawthorns is a humble little pub, and very friendly. I was being greeted by the lady behind the bar before I'd even walked through the door. The decor is very late 70s/early 80s but it's looked after. They still hadn't got round to taking down the Sport Direct-branded St. Georges which festooned the walls and bar, but it's only been a couple of days since England went out the Euros. Given that the decor has probably changed very little in 30 years, it's unlikely that they'll get the flags down in a few hours.
They have open mics here, which make a welcome change from the karaokes or erm, nothing, provided by other local pubs. read more