The White Lion, Sutton Coldfield

This former estate pub has changed completely in recent years and is now more of a restaurant. There is a separate dining room, but almost all of the tables in the bar are also laid up for dining. This certainly won't appeal to the traditionalist, but it has attractive semi-modern furniture and decor throughout, and there is a small patio area between the building and the retaining wall supporting the car park. It's still run by Thwaites, so it was a surprise to find just an anonymous 'house' golden ale (£4.00) and the ubiquitous (and now Marston's) Wainwright available from two of three handpumps.