Littleton Arms, Stafford

A large inn which offers high standard B&B, excellent beer and reasonable food. It sits on the main crossroads in the centre of town so is quite noisy. There is no real garden, just a small paved terrace at the front which is used by both smokers and al fresco diners. The B&B rooms are very comfortable, and they are happy to cater for dogs (dog treats on the bar, in the rooms and served with dinner) as well as humans. The food is a little pretentious, and the quality doesn't justify the prices – my chips worked out at around 75p each, while my companion's ham pie was cold in the middle. It was also slightly irritating to have a meal arrive in a collection of pots and pans rather than on a normal plate. There was live music on, which was rather awful – a local group covered the music-to-slash-your-wrists-to which is currently being peddled by the likes of Simon Cowell. We assumed that they were going to use their fee to take much-needed guitar and singing lessons. The beer was the highpoint – Hoard and Divinity from Backyard, Tombstone's Chocolate Orange Stout, Titanic's Kolsch, Tiny Rebel's Hawk and Pale Rider from Kelham Island. The ales were in excellent condition. Despite the noise, internal and external, and despite the training opportunity identified for the kitchen staff, it's somewhere I'd be very happy to revisit for an overnight stay or an evening's libation.

Enjoyable visit. Staffordshire pub of the year 2016 and deserved. Beer well kept and comes with a menu and tasting notes to guide you through the six choices. Three Tuns Solstice was in great condition. Food was good value and promptly served. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2rbl7on

Large former coaching inn in the centre of Penkridge , the main entrance is to the side of the pub across the small beer patio , the bar is straight in front and divided into two , the keg taps are on the right hand bar and the five real ale taps to the left at a very narrow point in the pub , the bar is an island although the rear is not used for serving . The pub opens out towards the rear where the main dining area is , but there are plenty of seperate little nooks to give a cosy feel . Service was very good despite the place being rammed on my Saturday evening visit , lots of people dining , the food was very good if a bit pricey for what was basically Peasant food , Rabbit , Pig Cheeks , Lamb Shanks etc at around £6-7 for a starter and £15-20 for a main. Five real ales on one from Salopian a couple from Blackjack and a very good One Inch Punch from Tiny Rebel . Customers were of all ages but mainly from the trendier end of the market , lots of 1920s style haircuts and well groomed beards on show complete with the no socks , loafers , skinny jeans and 1970s geography teacher look . I enjoyed my visit here even if it was a bit pricey

The menu is a bit on the pretentious side for a pub. But, having said that, the ham and wild rabbit pie was delicious. The pub is warm, comfortable and clean. The staff are bright, cheerful and helpful. They serve a great pint of Burton Porter, too.

Official site of the Littleton Arms, contains menus - www.thelittletonarms.com

Official site of the Littleton Arms, contains menus - www.thelittletonarms.com

At a guess ,I would say this is one of Vintage Inns debranded outlets and has been significantly refurbed since my last visit .The interior is modern,trendy but has cleverly retained a pub atmosphere by locating the eating areas well away from the central island bar which is surrounded by differing lounge sections where locals gather in the evening.There is a quiz on Sundays and occasional live music and several CAMRA local branch seasonal awards are displayed.There is a flat screen in one section with a stags head mounted nearby,and another section has high tables and chairs and a bit of room for vertical drinking. Three handpumps dispence a selection of mainly local ale in Slaters branded glasses.On my trip there was Titanic Anchor,very good,Purity Mad Goose and Brentwood Gold all at a reasonable £2.90.There were some interesting kegged lagers Erdinger,Starpramen and Fruili as well. Despite the hip furnishing,I would return for the choice of well kept ales,friendly service and upbeat atmosphere.

Huge former coaching in, with very interesting outbuildings, in the middle of Penkridge. Now also a hotel and eatery. The outside has a beer patio. The building is nicely rendered and displays '1793' proudly, ironic as all the internal features have been ripped out to make a trendy place, with sofas, high chairs and meaningless art. The music was tasteful and not too loud. Service was very friendly. Beer wise, the usual, with more lager choice and Bombardier on keg - eh? Handpulls included; Spekky Hen, Slater's Top Totty and Titanic First Class, which was fine. This is the sort of place you would take the wife to eat, but not the family. I would quite like to try the food, as a pub its worth a visit