Bull's Head, Solihull

The Bull's Head is a Thwaites pub in a rural setting and with a fundamental focus on food, not really what I would expect of a Thwaites pub. Nevertheless, it's obviously extremely popular with the locals, with an overflowing car park and outdoor tables to the front of the pub in very high demand amongst both diners and drinkers. The pub was awash with staff, which indicates that the number of customers was not unexpected. The interior was modern, was light and airy and featured plenty of wood. The 4 Thwaites beers on were Original, Amber, Gold & IPA. I wasn't particularly fond of their Gold, having enjoyed the IPA much more earlier in the day. Nice location and possibly a good choice for a spot of food. As a drinkers' pub, it's less attractive.

A large and imposing village gastropub with a modern interior split between a smaller bar area and larger dining sections. We came to eat and the food was fine without being spectacular in terms of either quality or value. Service though was excellent and friendly. Very much in the Marstons stable there were three beers from Thwaites on: Wainwright, Lancaster Bomber and Original with Froth Blowers Barking Mad as a guest. The latter in decent enough and slid down well.

Upmarket country dining pub, with the original building dating from 18th-century when the nearby Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was being constructed, but comprehensively extended and refurbished in recent years. Tastefully furnished and decorated throughout the 'L'-shaped arrangement of seating and dining areas, albeit with a corresponding loss of character (despite what the board outside claims...). Also has front and side patio beer gardens. As a barely branded Thwaites house, Lancaster Bomber, Wainwright and Hop & Glory (£3.70) were three of the four real ales available on handpump, with Barking Mad from Froth Blowers as a guest.

This is a Thwaites pub in the Country Pub and Kitchen chain. Car park and outside seating area leads into a large room. Seating for diners and drinkers, and a choice of 4 real ales, 2 from Thwaites being regular ales, Lancaster Bomber and Wainwrights. Guests today were Ringwood Razor Back and Backyard Blonde. Our Ringwood beer was fine.