Watermill, Kidderminster

The Watermill looked quite impressive and inviting as I rounded the adjacent Travelodge and started crossing the large shared car park, but as I got closer I realised that the picnic tables were resting on fake grass and the watermill on the side of the pub is also fake. Through the entrance there’s a dartboard to the left before the serving counter that runs up the left-hand wall. Standard and premium keg were available alongside Neck Oil and four hand pumps, two of which were in operation drawing Hobgoblin and Bank’s Amber. The rest of this large pub is split-level with thick wooden ceiling beams and a large central exposed brick fireplace. The walls are a mix of exposed and green painted brick. It feels a bit like a country lodge, but it is a Marston’s pub so don’t get too excited. The service was polite and during a recent early midweek evening stop off the pub seemed popular with a mix of drinkers and diners tucking into the pub co food menu, but this place is a bit too far out of town for me to warrant a revisit. Although on a nice summer’s afternoon the canal side seating at the rear could tempt me back.

Pretty standard foody pub next to a Travelodge. That said there is plenty space for those who just want a beer! Pedigree and Hobgoblin gold on offer. I went for the latter which was a decent pint although it was overpriced at £5.10!

Marston's pub / restaurant housed in a building which apparently replaced something more authentic in the 1990s (although there is a wheel beside the main entrance as a feature). Various seating and dining areas in an overall L shape around the central bar, but none too large so it feels less of a barn than many of these places. Also has a good canalside beer garden for the better weather. With three of the four handpumps in use, I found Hobgoblin Gold, Ringwood's Boom Doggle and an unexpectedly good Banks's Amber (£4.30) on offer.

Official site of Watermill - www.watermillpub.co.uk