The Star, Stafford

This is a brilliant little traditional village pub that is owned by Banks’s (Marston’s). It’s a small one room half timber cottage type pub that has been an inn since the early 1800’s. The interior is open plan with a small bar counter opposite the entrance, a very large double sided coal fire place on the right which dominates the room and a second fire place on the left with ornate wooden mantle piece and mirror. In the back right hand corner is a large booth with a dart board on the wall at its end. On the wall between the double sided fire place and the dart board was a flat screen TV which was showing Formula 1 racing. There are lots of original low beams and old paintings throughout the pub. Regular ales are Banks’s Bitter and Mild, Jennings Cocker Hoop and a single changing guest beer from Marston’s portfolio such as Brakspear, Jennings, Ringwood or Wychwood (GBG 2010). Coincidently this was Brakspear Hooray Henley (the same as Soup Dragon found almost a year before my visit) this is probably because it is a seasonal beer that is only available around this time of year. A great traditional pub with loads of character which is situated in the old market square surrounded by equally old and interesting buildings, there are picnic tables on the pavement outside the pub and there is a small menu of home cooked food which I did not try. Its worth searching out this pub just to see the huge double sided fire place! I really enjoyed my visit and I look forward to returning soon.

I recently started a new job in the Summer Lane area, and due to my love of pool i persuaded a few of my colleagues to join me after work at the nearest pub for a friendly game of pool and a beverage. The Stags Head was round the corner, so there we headed. The atmosphere was placid and polite with a real sence of community. We now visit The Stags Head every Friday after work, and are welcomed with open arms. The food was just what we were looking for, and the pool table is well looked after. This pub should be at the top of any body's list.

Quaint friendly village pub serving well kept real ales and basic but tasty pub grub - car park, fruit machine