The Crooked House, Dudley

A very famous pub due to its almost collapse into old mine workings, I've wanted to visit here after seeing a 1930s photo of the place many years ago, it has changed externally since the photo mainly being cleaned up and a big car park laid, along with some sort of kiddies playground to the side. I was warned about the beer and the warnings proved correct, fortunately it was a big short measure so that saved the taste buds a little. I was also daft enough to walk here along the old railway from Gornal Wood through a landscape of scrap yards, open cast mining and rubbish dumps, the footpath/cycleway is rubbish and has been redirected without any signs, don't try this at home just walk down the main roads and the country lanes, dodging the massive lorries.

Visited September 2009 Another well-known Black Country pub situated in Himley, close to the Staffordshire border. That intrepid explorer, Roger B, has, as usual, summed up the unusual features of this pub pretty well and I shall refrain from repeating these, suffice it to say that there were the inevitable wondrous and wide-eyed children rolling marbles up the window ledge during my recent visit. As you turn off the A 4176 ( the pub is signposted ) and drive down a narrow country lane towards the pub, you could be forgiven for thinking you had missed it, but helpful signs saying such things as "it is the right road, we promise" and "mind the bend or you'll be in the cut" encourage you to keep going. I would add another sign - watch out for the potholes in the road! The pub is now called The Crooked House, but was formerly called the Glynne Arms and that is the name by which it still appears in my well-thumbed Birmingham A-Z. The pub features on the front cover of the "Strangest Pubs in Britain" book and, notably, copies were on sale behind the bar.( the book is a good read, incidentally, although I know of at least 2 London pubs in it that are no more - Crockers Folly and the Widows Son ) It's a Banks pub, but both the Banks Bitter and Original ran out during my visit ( are there supply problems I wonder ? - see also my comment re the Shakespeare in Dudley ) .Other beers on were Hobgoblin and Ringwood Filly Drift. The pub proudly displays the Cask Marque symbol, but I don't think it's ever made the CAMRA Good Beer Guide ) It is now very much a food orientated family restaurant, although the original rooms at the front remain. There is a large restaurant area at the back, together with a childrens play area, so it's clear where the emphasis lies. Perhaps inevitably, the pub makes the most of its fame and I noted that a "Black Country Night and Ghost Hunt" occasionally takes place. In summary, I'd put this pub in the same category as The Nutshell in Bury St Edmunds for example. The curious amongst us will want to seek it out and visit - as I recommend you do - even if only once

Even though you know what to expect nothing really prepares you for the experience this unusual pub offers. Sadly not one of our party of ten was able to finish their pints due to the poor quality of the beer. We were given a partial refund but perhaps more worrying was the manager's assertion that the beer was fine, turning to some regulars for support he must have been somewhat deflated to hear their confirmation that it was off.

A brick built detached cottage styled pub, with central entrace and a large patio and rear extension. The interior has two rooms that open either side of the tiled entrance. The lounge and bar are both in a mushroom colour with white ceiling and wood panel, there isn't much in the way of pictures, though the grandfather clock pointed out by Roger is still there and proudly standing at a jaunty angle, like pretty much everything else. There are a couple of nice iron fireplaces as well as a larger brick one in the bar, as well as some iron ephemera dotted about. The whole place is of course, fun and different. The service was good and the clientele mixed due to the quirkyness of the place and the fact they serve food. Music was at a decent level, unlike the floors! Beer, tap stuff with a decent pint of Banks's MILD on handpull, along with the bitter - however, make sure you check out the beer in the lounge, as only two taps can be seen in the bar - there is a cider and a couple of guests on - Hobgoblin being one. A quality and fun place, worth the walk, though it would be better in the summer rather than a rain soaked winter! I will be back.

Once you get used to the wierd look of the place (attracts the tourists) it's not a bad pub. Banks's beer plus guest ales on handpull, fizzy stuff and food available in the bar or restaurant. Well worth a visit, but take care driving up the lane in the dark.

Official site of the Crooked House, contains menus and beer details - www.thecrooked-house.co.uk

Official site of the Crooked House, contains menus and beer details - www.thecrooked-house.co.uk