Sheldon Hall, Birmingham

Set in a grand old Grade II listed building with plenty of space in its grounds, this place could really be something in the hands of the right owner / operator. Sadly though, its current Stonehouse incarnation is a very poor offering that makes almost nothing of the premises (although there is some wood panelling in one corner), and even the patio beer garden is on the extended / remodelled side elevation rather than out on the front lawn. No real ale these days either, with BrewDog's Planet Pale (£4.10) being the best bet from the limited keg beer selection.

Official site of Sheldon Hall - www.stonehouserestaurants.co.uk

Official site of Sheldon Hall - www.stonehouserestaurants.co.uk

This is a Crown Cavery.Lovely building with long private drive you enter either straight to the restaurant part in the old building or through the bar. The majority of the space is given over to diners, but there is room on the bar just for a drink, not that thats why you would probably come here. The bar is fake panelled and coal effect fire with a raised area on one side. There seems to be a disproportionate amount of space given over to games machines, not what you may expect. Evrything about the bar suggests a chain cavery, there is nothing unusual, its all a bit, well, boring and uninspired. This goes for the beer as well Greene King IPA or Tetleys not kept very well. Its all too unadventurous for me.