The Horseshoe, Birmingham

Traditional pub beside the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal and on the 50 bus route to Druids Heath. Old-fashioned main bar at the front with rather tatty seating but some local history photographs add a little interest. Also has a smaller bar in a single-storey side extension, and separate lounge (in darkness when I visited) parallel to the canal. Two sadly disused handpumps, so made do with a swift Worthington's (£2.60) before moving on.

This is a detached canalside pub, with beer garden and kids' play area. It looks late Georgian/early Victorian, i assume being fairly contemporary with the canal. The canal towpath means the pub becomes a target for graffiti and the creamy painted brick means that it shows up! The pub has a smallish side extension (which is the bar), there being a row of upper sash windows and lower bow windows in the main part of the pub. The interior has a bar, which i didn't see, but has a dart board. There is also a lounge - which is in coffee artex and white. There are lots of old photos on the walls and perimeter seating with tables - along with a red two-seater settee! There was no TV and no music. The service was fine and the place populated by locals. Beer; usual tap stuff with a single real ale - Enville Ale, which was more than decent. It has been around 25 years since my last visit here, and it was nice to go back. I would return - a solid locals place.

Called in as we will be going to a party there next week, and I wanted to see if there was real ale on, and I had a pleasant suprise. There was only one ale on, but it was not a national brand but a local ale, Silhill 4.0 and it was well kept too. The pub is a clean tidy pub with a few rooms and a function room for hire. We were in the bar area which was carpeted and well laid out with the wrap around seating round the walls, and plenty of tables and chairs and a sofa. Had a look at the menu which was varied and very reasonable. They had a halloween fancy dress party there on 29th, and an advert was up for a bonfire night party with a band and burgers. It is situated by a canal and has a car park, garden and childrens play area. It is on the 50 bus route from Birmingham centre, and lies between Kings Heath and the Maypole areas.