The White Lion, Solihull

Upmarket village pub and restaurant in three parts: a cosy traditional bar directly ahead of the front door, a separate lounge area to the left with its own door off the entrance lobby and the main dining rooms in a rear extension. Landlord, Proper Job, Wye Valley HPA (£4.90) and Otter Bitter from four of the six handpumps.

Nice 17th-century village pub as described by Soup below. The public bar at the front is the best bit, pity the fireplace was used to store logs (and I mean store, not laid ready for lighting) rather than act as a fire. If it did it might remove the lingering odour of chips. Things go upmarket as you proceed clockwise through the building with a comfy enough lounge, then a fancier dining room at the back. Beers as at RAR's visit, the Hobson's, though pleasantly served, was not at its best. As a pub it's typical of the genre and stands out from the many corporate abominations in the area. Certainly worth a look if you are visiting the nearby NEC.