The Plough & Harrow, Sutton Coldfield

Large suburban pub beyond Sutton Coldfield and almost on the edge of the Birmingham conurbation that now looks little like the 1960s estate building in the old photographs. The interior has been comprehensively refurbished as well in a mostly light semi-modern style, although the decor varies in the various seating / dining areas (some of which must be in more recent rear extensions). A small patio area can also be found facing the road, together with a sizeable beer garden at the back. Anonymous corporate menu, but it appears to be an unbranded Marston's house. Features a 'L'-shaped servery with a total of nine handpumps, although the actual choice was Banks's Amber (£2.90), Pedigree and Wainwright.

Official site of The Plough & Harrow - www.ploughharrowpub.co.uk

Official site of The Plough & Harrow - www.ploughharrowpub.co.uk

A light rendered detached Marston's pub/eatery, with front patio. At the rear is a large beer garden and kids' play area, making this a family place, with covered smoking area. I would agree with Staaly, that is looks like a 60s build. The interior is an open plan L-shape around the bar, with different areas to add some charater. There is a clear bar area, which we entered first by the door near the car-park. This area has Sky Sports News, darts and pool. The rest of this large place is given over to dining. The decor is mainly yellow, cream, red and peachy coloured walls, with a big brick fireplace, with arty pictures juxtaposed with old photographs of the area. The service was fine and there was a mixed clientele; and it was quite busy. I didn't eat so can't comment on the food. Beer; usual tap stuff, with Banks's MILD. On handpull there was Pedigree, Banks's Bitter and a decent enough Wychwood Regal lager. This is a basic place of its type. Inoffensive, it caters to the family market and seems to do it well. Not a place i would chose to simply drink, but if the need arose i could eat here with the kids and at least have a beer. Does what it says on the tin!

From the outside, this appears to be a 50s/60s estate pub. Inside, it is large and open plan with an L shaped bar. It is segmented into different areas. The walls are painted in plain 'burnt yellow' and the light in the pub was a curious orange/yellow. There are contemporary pictures on the wall. There is a distinct bar area with a snooker/pool table and a dart board. There is also a conservatory area. There is a large garden area with children's swings and a gazebo of some type - could be a barbecue area - I did not go out to see it. The beer is your usual stuff, with an Banks's Mild on smoothpour and three real ale taps. On tonight were Banks's Bitter (quite nice), Pedigree (untried, not keen on Pedigree) and Pedigree Diamond (very nice). The food was fine 'pub food' - I ate beef stew and dumplings and Mrs Staal had lasagne and chips. It was tasty and good value. This is an ok pub - beer is fine, food is fine. It is a Marston's pub. In fact, as soon as we walked in, the distinctly unpubby Mrs Staal said that it was just like the Farmer John's on the way into Walsall. I have no problem with this place. It is, for me, just a little bit bland and characterless.

A pub under new management with a change of personality. Friendly and welcoming, good beer and a competitively priced menu adding to a child friendly beer garden with acres of space make this a great pub to visit. Weather drinking or dining, Families, couples or on your own this is the place to go.