One of Wolverhampton oldest pubs named among cosiest in UK

The Great Western, on Sun Street, was built in the mid-1800s at the end of a row of terraced houses.

Now, the historic pub, which is a Grade II-listed building, has been named as number 32 in The Telegraph's 50 cosiest pubs in the UK list.

Oasis

The listing states that the pub is: "An oasis of calm in unpromising surroundings. There are cobbles outdoors and coal fires within, a conservatory and an often-employed piano and a marvellous map of the GWR's freight routes above a vast cast-iron fireplace. It's proper steamy."

Jamie Atkins has been the licensee of the pub since 2008. Since then, the Great Western has won the Wolverhampton CAMRA city pub of the year award three times and was listed in the 2014 Good Pub Guide.

Mr Atkins said: "We're honoured to have these accolades that get bestowed upon us. We don't aim for them or seek them, but we keep getting recognised, for which we are very grateful.

"I think the key to our success is offering good food, good ales, good service and traditional public house values which keep good people coming through the doors."

Speaking of what makes the pub cosy, he said: "I think it's the warmth of the people who come into the pub that make it such a lovely place to be."

When he took over in 2008 Mr Atkins re-opened the three fire places in the pub and commissioned a wood burning stove for the conservatory adding to the cosy atmosphere.