The Fox Inn, Stourbridge

Ale Monster's review below is still valid. A Georgian build that has a modern conservatory, with patio and beer garden areas. The interior has the restaurant area and a bar that itself has a couple of areas. High tables and chairs, wood floor, brick fireplace, a few ornaments, with a couple of rugby shirts on the walls, quiet music, the whole place has a foody feel to it. The TV on the wall was switched on while we were there for sport. Service was friendly and the clientele were either eating or local (or both). Not cheap here and the size of the areas mean't the volume went up when a few guys came in. Beer sees the usual tap stuff with Batham's Bitter and Wye Valley HPA, which were fine. More for those eating.

A nice early 19th century grade II listed inn with sash and dormer windows and a modern conservatory on the right side of the building, it is a free house which has been run by the same landlord for around forty years which is a real achievement these days. The building has two rooms that are both accessed by the central doorway which leads into a tiny porch with doors to the left and right. On the left is a restaurant which was closed during this early Saturday afternoon visit and the small public bar is on the right, this has a small cream painted bar counter in the back left corner with a modern light wood bar back, a wood burning stove in a modern style small inglenook with small timber lintel in the right hand wall, a large flat screen TV (off) mounted on the left wall opposite the fire place and new wood settles with red fabric upholstery on the seats. The conservatory is through a doorway on the right, this has a second wood burner with tall flue against the middle of the left wall which probably shares a chimney with the stove in the bar, a tiled floor and there are a couple of modern tables with chairs. There is a large paved patio at the front of the building with modern steel garden furniture, an old red telephone box and nice views across open farm fields. Regular ales are currently Bathams Best Bitter and Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale with no changing guest beers although the HPA has been known to change occasionally. I had a pint of both and they were in excellent condition in my opinion. Bathams are locally renowned for being very fussy with who they sell beer to as their reputation is important to them, so it is usually a good endorsement for a free house to have it on as a regular. This is a great country road side pub with a limited but carefully selected choice of beer which is well kept. The public bar has a bit of a contemporary wine bar feel to it which isn’t usually my kind of venue, but the wood settles and wood burning stove help me feel a bit more comfortable and I can’t complain if I’ve got a pint of Bathams in my hand. I have not eaten here but the menu is a bit posh nosh for my taste and I think due to this some of the clientele are rather well to do, there was a Bentley and an Aston Martin on the large car park! I believe the extended restaurant can seat between 80 and 100 people and is regularly used for events and weddings. A nice place to stop off when in the sticks on the way to Kinver or Enville, I shall return.