The Mermaid, Wightwick, Wolverhampton

This is a lovely Georgian country pub built around 1780 which is now owned by Vintage Inns (M&B). The building actually predates the locally famous and grade I listed Wightwick Manor (1887). The interior is wide and open plan but retains many original rustic features such as oak beams, pillars and three very different fire places, the wood bar counter is in the middle of the back wall opposite the main entrance, in front of this the floor is red quarry tiles with busy patterned carpet further out from the counter. Immediately on the left of the bar counter and in the middle of the room is a free standing double sided brick fire place with cast iron coal grate, in the far left full height wood panel wall is a Victorian style cast fire place with tiled surround and dark wood mantle piece and in the back right wall is a larger brick fire place with oak lintel, cast grate and fluted hood, this is bracketed by two large brown leather arm chairs. Other than the far left wall the pub is half wood panel with various old prints on the walls. There is a paved patio area at the front of the pub with several dark green painted wood tables. It can be a little tricky entering and exiting the car park as the pub is on a busy junction which has had more than its fair share of accidents. Regular ales are currently Marston’s Pedigree and Sharp’s Doom Bar with a single changing guest beer which on this visit was Ilkley Brewery Lotus IPA (Cask Marque). As I’ve only previously tried it once before I chose the Lotus but on reaching our table I soon found that it was very cloudy, I tried it regardless and thought that it didn’t taste quite right either so I asked for a substitute which was provided without any fuss and the IPA clip was turned round. The resultant Doom bar was good. This is a good pub with a modern open layout but the décor is traditional and authentic which is to my taste. I was a little surprised to discover that it is not listed even locally despite its age, it’s only slightly younger than the grade II listed Swan down the road in Compton. I generally like Vintage Inns and that goes for this one as well, although it’s a little less appealing than the other three near Wolverhampton. A couple of years ago I managed to track down a cask of Worthington White Shield here as a limited and exclusive batch was sold to M&B, very good it was too. As mentioned by Soup Dragon this is predominantly a foody type pub so maybe one to take the wife to for a decent meal, I shall return.

A detached Georgian country house that has been turned into a Vintage Inn pub/eatery. The place is in white render, with bay and sash windows, entrance porch and has a front patio area. An indenture displayed on the wall by the bogs is dated to 1780, view it while you can as it is being bleached by the light - please guys, take it down and out of the frame (put a scanned copy up). The interior is typical of a Vintage Inn. Effectively it is an open plan room, with wood support beams and panel partitioning to create nooks and crannies. It is in a mix of colours; what looked like dark red, coffee, grey wood panel, wood panel and exposed brick, with a mainly white (some coffee) and beam ceiling and mix of red tile, stone flag and patterned carpet floor. A central brick hearth feature warms the room. The walls are adorned with interesting photos, prints and other ephemera. There was no TV and no background music, The service was fine and the clientele mixed, all dining that i saw and it was busy. I didn't eat at this Vintage Inn, but i have eaten at others and if it serves up th thier level, the food will be fine in my opinion. It is mainly set out for dining, with only a couple of comfy chairs. Beer; usual tap stuff, with Peroni. There were three handpulls - the Pedigree wasn't on, but there were Doombar and Fullers Bengal Lancer, which was decent. My first visit to this place since i worked in Wolverhampton in the late 1990s. As a chain, Vintage Inns try to make something of the interiors of their places. I could happily pop back here, but i felt it was more a place to eat than sit and have a drink.

Official pages of the Mermaid, contains menus and real ale details - www.vintageinn.co.uk

Official pages of the Mermaid, contains menus and real ale details - www.vintageinn.co.uk