The British Oak, Kingswinford

Turns out to be a sizeable Marston's pub / restaurant, although it doesn't actually look that large from the road. J-shaped layout with the bar at the front and the main dining area along the longer leg, with all parts having the expected semi-modern furniture and decor. Banks's Amber, Wainwright and Hobgoblin Gold from three banks of three handpumps on different parts of the counter.

This is a detached Marston's foody pub, with patio, beer garden, kid's play area and gazebo. It is a modern build, but replaced a pub of the same name on the same site that certainly dated back to the late Victorian period when there was nothing around the area other than the pub and a farm over the road. It is large, in coffee brick, with a steep pitched dormered roof one side and a gentler slope on the other. The two-storey element is surrounded by low-level extensions. The interior is a U-shaped room around the large serving bar facing you as you enter. It is in the usual mix of colours; gree, yellow, with patterned wallpapers etc. The TV wasn't on and there was general music at a decent level. The plus of the dart board is balanced by the ever increasing threat of the kid's grabbing machine. Old photos and prints were on the walls. The service was very friendly and it was busy, although most were eating. Beer; usual tap stuff with Sunbeam, Ringwood 49er (just went), Boondoggle, Banks's MILD, Bitter and a fine enough Oxford Gold on handpull. A far better experiance than i expected - yes, a family food place, but with a good range and quality of real ale.