The Navigation Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Birmingham

This is a detached pub with patio areas. It isn't a canalside pub, but takes its name for the nearby canal. It is, i think, mainly a c1900 pub, with had been altered and replaced an earlier pub of the same name on the site. The exterior is in cream render and red brick and has touches of the mock-Tudor to the Georgian - depending on which part of the building you look at. The interior now has one massive room, which encirlces the bar pretty much. One side of the bar is the 'bar' area - with a dart board and pool table - the other side is more dining - cheapy meals being the main market it seems. The decor has red, cream and so forth, but now looking a little tired. There were a few TVs with sport on and there was no music (was a jukebox though). The photos were canal based. The service was frindly and the place seemed frequented by locals. Beer; usual tap stuff with Morland Old Golden Hen and a more than decent Thwaites Wainwright. Whilst it looks a little run-down, this ended up as a more than happy visit - as my fellow reviewers say - better than what you expect. I would pop back for one.

Can't really add a lot to what was said below. Good food choices at reasonable costs, and the Bombardier was better than I expected too. Caledonian Deuchers and Adnams Bitter had been on. They thought the next beer to go on was a Marstons, so they appear to have some freedom over beer choice. Friendly staff and pub atmosphere ok early evening while we were there. Separate dining room to one side of the bar area.

Large roadside inn which appears to base itself on attracting custom with cheap food deals. Slightly tatty inside, but not too bad, mixture of high stools/tables & lower seating. The main area fronting the bar with tv screens but, despite the emphasis on food it looks like there is a lot of area given over to standing as there are spaces without tables. Average/normal pub decor. There is a smaller area to the right as you walk in for darts. Ok for a foody roadside pub, just needs smartening up a bit. One real ale - Bombadier - which was better than I expected.