Pub of the Week: The Rock, Tredegar Road, Blackwood

Beginning life as a hostelry in 1808, The Rock was well established in the early part of the 19 Century, and was used extensively for parish meetings and petty sessions for the Bedwellty District, including the registration of voters and the collection of tithes.

All petty thefts and accidents on the tramroad and at the collieries were dealt with here.

There was a brew-house at the back of the inn and various tradesman carried out their employment in adjoining buildings.

Watkin Watkins worked as a wheelwright, with John Dalby (smith) in the 1850s.

Much later Fred Meredith traded as carpenter and wheelwright.

An 1860 map of the district depicts what appears to be a building in the roadway, and from information handed down over the years, gates were placed across the road at night.

Jeremy Price, who was proprietor in 1877, was charged for keeping his house open for sale of beer on Sunday and consequently fined 10/- and costs.

The Rock is now a beloved traditional pub (Image: The Rock) Thankfully those days are long past and you can now enjoy the hospitality of this wonderful old watering-hole every day of the week without falling foul of the law.

Lying within the vicinity of the beautiful Sirhowy Valley Country Parks, the Rock has been under the management of husband and wife Paul and Jennifer Taylor for 17 years. 

They have won dozens of awards, including young business of the year, Caerphilly business of the year, Pride in Your Place and Pubs in Bloom four years in a row. 

The Rock also has its own snug area where customers can relax with a pint and a plate of food. 

The Rock has its own snug area where customers can relax with a pint (Image: The Rock) Mrs Taylor has also won Caerphilly in Bloom four times, the last being the final year in 2013, for her iconic hanging baskets seen outside the pub and in the gardens. 

Mr Taylor is a dyed-in-the-wool local, having been coming to the pub for more than 50 years before he took it on. 

He describes the pub as "an old fashioned establishment", and is committed to passing on the traditional pub values he learned as a young man to his customers.

He said: "This place is known as a 'two-pint pub', and we get a lot of old-fashioned people coming in as part of our clientele, called the 'gin and tonic' group. 

"Our customers all respect our traditional values that we have, because we know what is important to us as a local pub."

The Rock prides itself on its homemade menu, including its Sunday roast (Image: The Rock) The Rock prides itself on its predominantly homemade menu, with popular dishes including Sunday roasts, corn beef pie, bread and butter pudding, trifle and crumble. 

Mr Taylor added: "We're really proud of all our food - we use local places like Cardiff Fish Market - we end up selling a lot of fish - and local butchers. Our corn beef pie has its own production line it's so popular!"

They also serve a wide variety of hand-pulled ales on tap, and ensure there is a sensible drinking policy, which Mr Taylor says is crucial to how he runs the pub on old-fashioned values. 

A pianist performs on Sundays and Wednesdays, with a storied career including as the resident pianist for the Green Room at the Ritz in London and keyboardist for Brotherhood of Man in his youth. 

Children are welcome in the Rock as long as they are eating. 

The Rock can be found on Tredegar Road in Blackwood, and  customers are asked to make bookings by calling 01495 223441 or emailing therocktavern@btconnect.com. 

Their opening hours are Monday to Thursday 12-3pm and 6-11pm, Friday and Saturday 12-11pm and Sunday 12-3pm.