The Digby, Birmingham

Large pub as described below. Don't be put off if the front door isn't open. It was locked when I called but after spotting some customers inside I wandered around the back where a friendly local advised me it is quite usual! Still serving a decent pint of Church End Fallen Angel. Pair this with The Dog and they make the 30 minute bus ride from Brum worthwhile!

Former hotel, and it thus seems larger than one might expect from a village of this size? Anyway, the L-shaped ground-floor layout has been partly opened-out but there is a lounge area at the back as well as the main bar areas on both sides of the entrance. Semi-traditional furniture and decor throughout, and there are also a wooden benches along the frontage and on some decking in the rear car park. Just one of the three handpumps was in use when I visited, dispensing a better-than-expected pont of Fallen Angel from Church End (£3.85).

Official site of The Digby - www.digbyhotelbirmingham.co.uk

Official site of The Digby - www.digbyhotelbirmingham.co.uk

This is a detached pub, with a patio area. It was built in 1860 as a hotel. It is an irregular shaped building, with a mix of round, sash and bay windows on the lowest storey. It is in cream render. The interior of the pub is an L-shape and the size befits the former use. One end is a more bar area, with red lino, which has a dart board and a TV (not on). The other area is more loungey, including a raised area, which is carpeted. The décor has red and white walls, with fake support beams, along with a white ceiling. The TVs here were on, with Vintage TV knocking out the music at a decent level. There are a couple of fireplaces, one brick and one stone, showing where there were old rooms. There is some nice coloured glass above the serving bar. A few flags and mirrors are on the walls and ceiling, leaving the place looking a little bare. The service was functional, the clientele seemingly local, but mixed. Beer; usual tap stuff with a decent enough Ansell's MILD. There were three handpull beers, on two different banks - Tetley Bitter, Bombardier and Young's Bitter. A somewhat dull choice, but at least there were three pulls on. I was happy to have visited - a place I would pop in for one.

The sort of pub that could be and probably was a nice village country inn. Now however its in decline for whatever reason, possibly partly to do with the effect of infrastruture projects ihn the surrounding areas. Its a bit tatty and its uncomfortable and unfriendly. Locals propping up the bar drinking lager and not willing to give up space to allow service. 4 real ales, and it did seem to be making an effort to promote guest beers, but I tried the Taylors Landlord and would never have recognised it. Potential here, but it needs serious TLC.