Slaters Country Inn, Newcastle under Lyme

Upmarket country hotel, function suite, restaurant and pub with some other businesses in the adjacent farm buildings. All tastefully done inside, and there are few wooden tables in the small front beer garden (and possibly a larger one at the back) if that's more your thing on a sunny day. Beer-wise, the selection was better than expected, having Doom Bar, Exmoor Fox and Bradfield Farmers Blonde (£5.10 with a packet of peanuts) available from the three handpumps.