The Navigation Inn, Solihull

Perfectly functional canalside pub. Post work crowd a mixture of blue and white collar workers - with plenty of diners coming in. There is a good drinking bar with a real wood burning stove that I bet is lovely in the winter. Beer wise - a good choice - Brew XI, Mad Goose Purity and I couldn't ignore a perfect pint of Timothy Taylor Landlord.

Official site of The Navigation Inn - navigationlapworth.co.uk

Official site of The Navigation Inn - navigationlapworth.co.uk

A recently refurbished, traditional, canal side pub. The front entrance takes you into the stone-floored and comfortable bar area. This feels like the room where the locals gather and several chatty punters were perched on stools by the bar bantering good naturedly with the attractive barmaids. There are also rooms to the side and rear which were popular early on in the evening with those eating. The refurbishment has seen a lot of settles used which is a very efficient use of space but some of them are simply too uncomfortable to sit on for any length of time. The menu is largely pub grub but with one or two unusual choices. The fish and chips chosen elsewhere looked very good but a salad consisting entirely of raw peppers suggests some execution issues. A subtle note on the menu says that all food is home cooked so any mistakes are at least home made. Beers on we're Wadworths 6X, TT Landlord, Byatt's Lapworth Gold and a very good Purity Mad Goose. When they had time the bar staff served us at the table which was a nice touch. Decent beer and the retaining of a genuine pub atmosphere make The Navigation well worth a visit.

A revisit after several years ,and the pub has benefitted from considerable investment .The flag stoned tap room (called Lounge ) is still there with a large wood burner fireplace but the decor is now more modern , upbeat and cared for although you will have to put up with tea lights at every table and gentle muzak .The side room has fitted benches and a large round table in the bay window and another fireplace while the lower restaurant looks smart and has it's own access to the island bar by the door to the considerable beer garden alongside the Grand Union Canal.There is also a covered patio outside if the weather is less clement. There is a happy hour between 4 and 6pm,which clearly brings in the local punters and builders,and there was a friendly ,lively atmophere all evening topped off by very friendly,chatty service from the attractive barmaids.There was a lot of friendly banter from both sides of the bar.Real ale was well catered for with TT Landlord,6X,Byatt's Lapworth Gold (probably rebadged Phoenix Gold) and a very good Purity Mad Goose which was hard to put down.Beware a handpump clipped with Guiness,it's just attached to a keg tap. The shortish food menu looked good ,but several interesting dishes on the blackboard were not available on my trip (why not rub out the entry ? )and the pricing was a bit high for essentially pub grub with most mains around £15 and starters at £6.Parts of my meal were good ,but some elements were poorly executed so I will deduct a point for that.You can eat anywhere inside the pub,and most car and boat borne customers were tucking in. This is a real pub with a good atmosphere and better real ale than I was expecting,shame the poor kitchen execution impacted on an otherwise fine evenings drinking.