Old Court House, Dudley Port, Tipton

The origins of the name are unclear, and although it is now located opposite the shiny new Tipton police station its history goes much further back than that. Anyway, although the bay-windowed frontage is quite appealing, the angled opened-out interior has lost any real character during the remodelling. It has also been refurbished fairly recently, with a lounge area to the left as you enter, but elsewhere round the corner that doesn't really help. With one disused handpump, and the Worthington going off during the pour, I resorted to the Boddingtons (£2.80). Mind you, the place was doing reasonable business with a pool match on an iffy Wednesday evening (weather-wise), so there was something to observe during my brief stop.

This is a detached Victorian pub, with patio area. Formerly called the Court House pub. It may have been the former Petty Sessions Court, but was a pub by 1880 at least. It is a cottage-styled pub with bay windows flanking the central entrance and is in white render, with some black paintwork. The interior is a U-shaped-ish room. It is in coffee, red and wood, with a white ceiling and a wood floor. There is a dart board and a pool table up one end. There are lots of TVs, but only one was being used for the very loud karaoke that was on. A few prints and Baggies memorabila are on the walls. The service was fine, the clientele mixed and i found, unfriendly. Beer; usual tap stuff with Banks's MILD. No real ale. I had a shandy. My verdict - not a great experience.

A nice pint, friendly staff and regulars but reduced opening hours in recent times have not done this pub any favours.