Lych Gate Tavern, Wolverhampton

Opened in summer 2012 in one of Wolverhampton's oldest buildings (dating in part back to 1500), the Lych Gate Tavern is a fine traditional alehouse run by the reliable Black Country Ales group. The pub is split over two levels, with the main entrance taking you onto a landing area with stairs down to the bar or up to the lounge and toilets. The bar area is split roughly in two, with a fairly open area straight ahead from the bottom of the stairs and a seating area over to the left. The room is carpeted with the servery running in an L shape in the rear corner. The bar area has room for three tables served by one padded bench and some standard chairs, with a large beer board on the wall opposite the servery coming in very handy on my visit during the peak post-match hours. There are some nice old pictures on the walls, mainly of the local area but also including some of the pub in its former guise as the Bird in Hand, whilst framed newspaper clippings set out some of the pub's history. The servery has a dark wood counter and bar back and had been adorned with various bits of BCA merchandise. The seating area initially appears quite small, but quite a large number of people seemed to be comfortably arranged in there on this visit, relaxing on the standard and banquette seating options in an area decorated with more interesting old pictures and a modern decorative frieze. A shelf near the staircase had a few books and the day's papers on it for customer's perusal. The upstairs lounge bar is quite a cosy looking space with a compact servery on the end wall, lots of ancient looking dark wood beams and a good amount of standard tables and chairs. A lift near the front door allows disabled customers to access either bar. Signs on the front door advised me that the pub was for home fans only on match days, but I was able to gain access without being questioned and I got the impression that well behaved away fans are tolerated but not encouraged - football colours obviously would need to be hidden. As with all BCA pubs, the ale range was excellent with options on this visit comprising, Potbelly Bellowhead (Hedonism) and Pigs Do Fly, Vibrant Black Forest Porter, BCA Pig on the Wall Mild, BFG and English Winter, Three Kings Coach House and Everards Sunchaser, plus one real cider. It's been a while since I tried a BCA brew, so I decided to give the BFG a go and ended up with a really excellent pint. This is clearly a great asset to the Wolverhampton drinking scene and another fine showcase for Black Country Ales. It's a shame the pub was packed on this visit, as I would've loved to settle down over a few pints, but it has at least given me a good reason to return, as if I really needed one.

Absolutely the best Tavern in the town.with a great atmosphere and character in this 16th century old building. My local now and the only pub in Wolverhampton that I drink in. Right in the heart of town.I Look foreward to my mondays with my mates. Great hosts, Great real ales, cobs at 50p what more could you ask for/ Ozzie George.

Despite the long history detailed below about the site of this pub it looked to me like an office conversion but that doesn't stop it being a great place for beer. It is an odd layout where you have to descend some steps to get to the bar, but once there you are greeted by 10 handpumps. These were serving Black Country Pig On The Wall, Bradley's Finest Golden & Fireside, Beowulf Gold Work & Chiller, an Axholme beer that I can't read the name of, Dancing Duck Gold, Plain Ales Inncognito and a cider called Hairy Ferret. I went for the Fireside (£2.90) which was in very good condition. It's definitely worth the extra walk away from the bus and train stations to include this one.

A terraced Georgian styled building that has a patio area. It is in brick, with white window sills and keystones, white dog tooth cornice and white quions. The entrance is to the side and the pub extends to two floor (function room, with a bar if needed), which is useful as the stair and disabled lift near bisect the downstairs room - meaning it isnt the biggest (nor is the serving bar) so it can get pretty crowded. The decor is white and wood beam and the usual BCA posters, with old photos of the area are on the walls. There isnt a TV and the music was general and soft. Beer; usual keg drinks with the three BCA handpulls (the Pig MILD being excellent). Other handpulls included; Robinson's Dizzy Blonde, Heritage's Empire IPA, Stakes' Upland, Launceston's Castle, Tunnel's Meadowland (turned), Wood Farm no8 and Cottage's MM Norman Conquest (decent). I have visited this place so many times - was there on the opening night. Simply class. A must.

As mentioned this is a Black Country Ales house, fairly newly opened and a definite welcome addition to Wolverhampton's pubs. As it's built on a hill and the entrance is up the hill it has the feel of a cellar bar as you reach the bar by stairs. Its been very nicely modernised with good quality woodwork and furniture including leather upholstered benches. Standard pub décor of old photos but on pastel walls of the odd shaped room. The ten handpumps serve Black Country Ales plus a range from micros far and wide of impeccable quality. The buildings in an early 17th century timber framed one, as can be seen in the upstairs function room. The pub is also very accessible to wheelchairs in spite of its age and awkward shape.