The Plough & Harrow, Stourbridge

Although this is one of the original eight Batham's houses from the days when I first visited their pubs it is a much more straightforward place than some of them. There is a small public bar at the front with red tiles and a dart board at one end with the throw defined by a long door mat. There was a TV screen at the opposite end. I only took a very brief look at the long narrow carpeted lounge bar. Beers advertised were Batham's Mild and Best but the mild wasn't on despite the hand pump being clipped so I went for the Best (£2.60) which was in great nick. I would be surprised if this wasn't the cheapest pub in town and that includes the Constitutional Club unless you're a member. I was tempted to knock the score down a point for the unavailability of the Mild but will go with the flow and give it an eight.

A two roomed Batham's house with traditional bar and lounge. The bar is basic with wooden benches and tables and a dartboard. The lounge is more comfortable with carpets and cushions. There's also a decent sized patio which was popular on the warm evening when we visited. Beer was Batham's Bitter and Mild, the Bitter as may be expected, in top nick and flew down to the soft clinking of dominoes. A comfortable and friendly pub serving quality ale.

Having been in The Bull and Bladder at lunchtime,a six mile canal cruise with 23 locks created the need for more fine ale once moored up in Kinver,so the Plough and Harrow was the obvious venue in this attractive village. Mr Dragon describes the interior well,I noted the Batham's bull motif in the corridor glazed tiling and the traditional basic public bar.A game of dominoes sprung up on the next table,friendly dogs wandered around and the service was swift and efficient.The lounge had a DJ playing heavy metal at a very sensible volume which enhanced the visit.Naturally the beer was fantastic.We noted on the Batham's branded glasses a strange apostrophe in the name Daniel' Batham, a mystery we failed to clear up as the ale started to flow.