Bell & Bottle, Cannock

The Bell & Bottle was the only pub on my list of 5 to visit in Hednesford that was open. Set in the backstreets, a canopied area has been set up at the rear of the pub adjacent to the car park. Unfortunately, with only an outdoor bar available, there are no real ales. Keg options I could see were Carling, Carling Black Fruit, Worthington Original, Coors & Guinness. Service was swift, but overall this was disappointing.

Traditional locals pub, retaining two separate bars; the public bar to the right of the entrance, with a raised pool table area at the side and the darts area further back, and a lounge / dining area (formed from two rooms by the look of things) to the left. The latter has a couple of fine etched W. Butler & Co. Ltd window panels, one of them indicating the former Smoke Room. Refurbished at some stage so all tidy enough. Just one real ale on handpump, but this was Gudgeon from Izaak Walton (£3.20) which was a bit of a surprise.

This pub was renamed the Bell and Bottle some years ago