The Woolpack Inn, Stafford

There's plenty of detail in the reviews below so I'll limit myself to saying that this is an attractive and traditional pub in a pleasant village where we received a warm and friendly welcome. It's a Marstons boozer, although this isn't advertised outside, so beers were all from that stable: Pedigree, Banks Bitter and Sunbeam, Hobgoblin, Ringwood Boondoggle and Jennings Cocker Hoop were on when we visited. The latter two were well kept and slipped down easily. A trusty spot for a decent pint.

The epitome of a country pub, despite being in Weston. It is a cream rendered cottage styled Marston’s pub/eatery, with lower level extensions either side. Facing the village green, it has a patio area and a little well. The interior is an open plan long room, with part partitions. The décor is a mix of red, white, cream and wood panel, with wood ceiling beams. There are a few little fireplaces dotted about. The main dining area seems to be at the far right end on entry, the bar area, with darts and TV, with Sky Sports News, to the left, but you can eat anywhere, yet it retains its pub feel, rather than foody. There are mirrors, old photographs of the area and general prints on the walls, along with local footy team pictures in the ‘bar’ area. The food is straight forward but perfectly fine. The service is very friendly, the clientele maturer and a mix of diners and drinkers, there was no background music. Beer; tap stuff, with Banks’s Bitter, Ringwood Boondoggle and Pedigree on handpull, the bitter was decent. A nice place and worth time for a drink or food, especially as the Saracens Head is worth a visit as well.

The Woolpack sits in Weston, in the valley just to the North of Stafford. It's a slightly tired (in need of redecoration) village pub with a great atmosphere created by friendly staff who run a great local. The food is excessive - American-sized portions, very fattening but delicious nonetheless: not haute cuisine, not simple pub grub, just filling hot food. The beer was very good - Jennings always goes down well, and it's well-kept here. Worth finding for a lunchtime session or as part of a crawl of the Trent Valley. It's also convenient to the canal so is worth stopping at if you're on a boat.

Official site of the Woolpack, contains menu and wine list - www.woolpackpubweston.co.uk

Official site of the Woolpack, contains menu and wine list - www.woolpackpubweston.co.uk