The Old Barley Mow, Birmingham

A large detached pub with patio area and a disused bowling green behind. The core of the pub (this is the rear of the building) dates back at least to the 1750s, although it looks like the pub was heavily restored and added to in the 20th century. The original building was an L-shaped one (there is a photo on the walls of the pub), but part of the bar room and the lounge were added to 'fill in' this. The building has mock-Tudor style projections above bay windows, with the rest of the pub in white painted brick. The interior has three rooms. The function room at the back was the original building. The main bar room, accessed from the frontage, is a long room with the serving bar facing you on entry. The decor around the room is cream and wood panel walls, with white ceiling. The space to the left has a part carpet floor and a brick chimney-breast with a real fire. This is a seating area, with tidy seat covers. To the right on entry is a games area, with a pool table and a dart board. The floor is wooden here. An ecelctic group of prints adorn the walls. The lounge is behind the main bar room and was in darkness and i could not see it. There was a TV on the wall, showing some general channel and there was no music. The service was friendly and the clientele is made up of locals, several being in on a Monday night. Beer; no real ale, despite there being a handpull on the bar. Usual tap stuff with a decent enough Ansells MILD on keg. On a personal note it was brilliant to return to this pub for the first time in at least 20 years, as i used to play for the footy team back in the 80s. I was given a warm welcome by the same gaffer! Not that she remembered me. With the loss of all the other local pubs (Swan, Cross Guns and the Bromford) this pub has become a real community pub and i really hope it survives. I shall pop back if around again.