The Cross Keys, Stafford

Canal-side pub on the southern outskirts of the town but which once must have been well out in the country. Almost totally anonymous from the road (to the point where you question whether it's still open), but perfectly obvious from the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. The front bar is pleasingly traditional, as is the longer perpendicular bar and small rear seating area down a few steps at the back. Also has a terrace overlooking the waterway. Just Doom Bar and Hobgoblin Gold available from the various handpumps on the two counters, but cask Banks's Original also dispensed from a now rare electric pump (£3.00, but unfortunately served too cold).

A good looking canalside pub with a secluded beer patio at the front and an authentic interior,possibly in need of a bit of TLC.The bar is immediately infront of the entrance and there are two sections by the bar ,one with a fireplace,the other with a piano.This is the most popular part of the pub with boaters and local residents ,while to the rear of the building there are a further two lounges,one with a flat screen, both sharing a dual aspect fireplace .The pub is carpeted throughout but with low ceilings it retains the atmosphere of a local and there is a bit of Wolves memorabilia dotted about. There were two handpumps serving Pedigree and Banks's Bitter,but the Ped handpull just activated an electric pump and the beer temperature was too low.The Banks's Mild was dispensed from a keg pump.Shame about the beer selection and method of dispense,this could be a wonderful setting for a few beers in the hands of a landlord committed to real ale.

A large, former country pub, now swallowed up by the housing developments around Penkridge. It sits by the Filance Bridge over the canal and is far easier to spot by barge than by road, The exterior is beginning to look a bit tired, as the white rendering is peeling away. There is a beer patio by the canal. The interior has a long room, that is broken into three mini rooms, the last having a TV in. It is clean and there is of course canal memorabilia on the walls. The service was friendly enough and the clientele mixed. The beer is the usual stuff, with Spitfire, Bombardier and Banks's bitter on handpull and Banks's MILD Cask on electronic pump. The MILD was too cold, so it could have been smooth for all i could tell. All in all, its a decent enough place and i would visit again.