The Joules Brewery pub the Prince of Wales (formerly Phoenix Tap) is located at 4 – 6 Lawton Street in Congleton.
"The Prince of Wales, our Congleton Tap sits on Lawton Street, no. 4-6. Nestled between some other great ale houses, Titanic our friendly rivals, and boutique Barley and Hops bottle shop, creating an ale drinkers haven. The town hosts a Market every Tuesday and Saturday from the Bridestone Centre.
Our Taphouse celebrates its history and honours the pub’s heritage by keeping no.4 the main bar an original miniature parlour pub and no.6 a curiosity shop. The Tap now has a fantastic extended beer courtyard, walled in old red brick and boarded by blooming plants, creating a relaxing hideaway from the town’s hustle and bustle to enjoy a pint. The pub is very dog friendly.
Easy street parking just outside.
Always on Tap, Joule’s Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk, Pure Blonde and our English craft lager Green Monkey, alongside our rotating seasonal ale and cold craft beer. All brewed in Market Drayton with pure Shropshire mineral water." Source: (
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"The pub is divided into three areas creating snug corners warmed by a log burner. The decor is interesting with green tiled walls, enamel signs and lots of artefacts to adorn the rooms. Now owned by Joule's brewery, it sells four Joule's beers plus two well chosen guest beers and one cider. On a royal visit in 2018 Prince Charles enjoyed a Joule's Old No 6. There is a good outside drinking area behind the pub. Awarded branch pub of the year for 2018." Source: (
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Prince of Wales is open 7 days and offers Joules Beer, Guest Ales, Beer Snacks, Beer Garden and Regular Music/Entertainment.
"The landlady of The Prince of Wales, which is a stone’s throw from the statue, couldn’t resist the opportunity to invite The Prince of Wales inside the namesake pub for a quick drink. Much to everyone’s delight the royal couple accepted and even commented that “it was a great name for a pub”. After a few minutes and Their Royal Highnesses were back outside and engaging with as many people as possible in the crowds lining the route to the Town Hall." Source: (
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A report in the Express & Star published on 24th January 2018 reads as follows;
'Prince of Wales pops into The Prince of Wales for a free drink
Charles and wife the Duchess of Cornwall popped into the pub while visiting Congleton, Cheshire.
Prince Charles has enjoyed a free drink after paying an unscheduled visit to a pub called The Prince of Wales.
Charles and wife the Duchess of Cornwall popped into the pub while visiting Congleton, Cheshire, on Wednesday.
The Prince, who sampled some of the beer, told drinkers: “If there’s anywhere I can get a free drink it’s a pub called the Prince of Wales.”
“We did know he was visiting today but we didn’t know much about it so we weren’t expecting to meet him.”
Kevin Brindle, 53, added: “He was asking about the food and whether it was a good place to eat here.
“We recommended a beer to him.”
At a reception at the town hall, Charles and Camilla met volunteers from organisations, charities and initiatives.
In a short speech, the Prince of Wales said he had been “thrilled” to join them to celebrate 700 years since the town first appointed a mayor.
He said: “I’ve greatly enjoyed getting the brief opportunity to meet so many of you who I know do so much.
“Thank you so all so much for all the marvellous things you do, so often unseen and unheard.”
He added: “And at least on this occasion I managed to get a free drink at a pub called the Prince of Wales.”
Charles and Camilla were greeted with a cardboard cut-out of the Queen when they arrived at community interest company The Old Saw Mill in the town.
The figure, on display in the window of a house, was pointed out by people who had gathered to see Charles and Camilla, with onlooker Victoria Marchant asking the Prince: “Have you seen your mother?”
Ms Marchant, 47, who was with daughter Leila, 10, and Frankie, six, said: “Camilla didn’t see her at first but then said ‘oh yes, there she is’.
“She was laughing, she thought it was funny.
“The girls gave her some daffodils and she said it was the first signs of spring.”
In The Old Saw Mill, Charles and Camilla met volunteers who produce Congleton apple juice and cider, made from windfall fruit.
Martin Robinson, 55, said: “Charles tried the apple juice and he said it was nice.
“He was interested in what we do.
“It’s strange because you’ve seen him on the telly since you were a kid and now he’s just there.”
Earlier in the day, Camilla met female inmates at HMP Styal, where she learned how the organisations
Books Unlocked programme is helping prisoners to develop a love of reading and improve basic literacy skills.
She also met prisoners working at The Clink restaurant, adjacent to the jail, where women with less than 18 months to serve are given the chance to earn City & Guilds NVQ qualifications in food service and food preparation and then aided with finding employment within the hospitality industry on their release.'