The Kings Head, Lichfield

Not a lot seems to have changed since the review by Soup Dragon below. The range of beers from the Marstons stable has been extended to include a couple of outsiders, so that as well as Pedigree and Hobgoblin, on our recent visit there were also Fullers Chiswick Bitter and Upham Punter from Hampshire - no local ales, then. The other two hand pumps were empty. We enjoyed our visit here, albeit a brief one as we had a few more pubs to do before catching our train to Tamworth to see the mighty Luton Town play. Would we have preferred to stay here for a few more beers? No, I think, has to be the honest answer, though I wouldn't mind calling again on a non-football day.

This is a Fuller’s pub with the usual range on. The Chiswick I had was fine. There seems to be a mini art gallery at the back, offering for sale the works of what I imagine must be a local artist. This leads to a rather attractive and well-maintained patio/terrace and garden. There is a TV in the back bar with some reference books beneath it. It’s encouraging to see the GBG nestling amongst and rubbing shoulders with such weighty tomes as Whittaker’s Almanac and Chamber’s Encyclopaedia. In fact the whole pub has a cared-for feel about it. I think that this is an excellent backstreet pub, and well worth seeking out if you ever find yourself in Sutton (review from Jul 09).

One of the better town centre pubs. Former coaching inn, with brick facade, allegedly where the first regiment of the Staffs Regiment was formed. The interior has a couple of rooms, in white and wood beam, but the old courtyard is used for expansion, especially in the nice weather and they do have live music. There is plenty of ephemera and the place has a nice feel. Until recently,i often found the service just functional, as it is often busy, but my last visit was better. The clintele is mixed and at our last visit, we ate here, which considering it was just a fiver, was decent. Beer; tap stuff, no MILD. On the real ale front, again, until recently, i was a little disappointed with the beer choice, Marstons Pedigree and some other basic bitters (Marstons Bitter and Ringwood) but there were four on the other night and a little more exciting, although all from the Marstons group - I had the Jennings 1828, which was fine. Live music nights - always worth a visit, but i did whinge that this place should do a lot better, at least i feel it has improved some, but it still comes on the next tier below the top 5 in Lichfield (Queens Head, Dukes of York and Welly, Horse & Jockey and George n Dragon).