Crown & Cushion, Dartmouth, West Bromwich

Attractive, slightly wedge-shaped pub with some Tudorbethan features, set in the angle of a road junction with an opened-out 'L'-shaped bar than has been refurbished with the darker furniture and decor offset by the lighter paintwork and windows on three sides. There are also some wooden benches at the front, but a more traditional feature is the trip through the back yard to reach the gents... With two of three handpumps in use, I found Old Speckled Hen and Harvest Pale from Castle Rock (£3.00) available.

Have to admit to feeling like the Good Beer Guide had made a mistake. Mock Tudor pub that looks like a hungry horse or sizzler type place. Quite brigtly lit with a single main room around the bar. Community local with all ages. Beer was superb and answered the question. Castle Rock Harvest Pale for £2.90. Surprising! Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2G12qsM

Sat in the fork of two roads next to the pleasant Dartmouth Park, the Crown and Cushion is a well apportioned mock-Tudor pub with a simple single room layout. The room is laid out in an L shape with the entrance taking you into a bare boarded bar area with the servery directly opposite. To the left is a smart, slightly raised carpeted area with nice floral wallpaper, neutral paint scheme and some excellent large photos of local landmarks. Comfy banquettes and standard chairs give the space a bit of a lounge feel and I found it very easy to settle down here with my pint whilst watching the antics of the pub cat. The right hand side runs towards the rear of the building and is bare boarded, with a series of padded benches set out along the right hand wall, supplemented by low stools and standard chairs. More local photos adorn the walls, alongside a juke box and some excellent 'Crown and Cushion' motif windows with decorative etched glass side panes. The servery looks fairly modern with its tongue and groove counter and shelved bar back full of various Christmas decorations on my mid-December visit. A trip to the toilets led me outside, through a tatty rear garden of sorts, where an outdoor block can be found. Those wanting to enjoy their drinks al-fresco would be better served by enjoying the decent pavement seating area out the front, affording a view across to the park. The pub is relatively close to West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorns stadium and welcomes away fans. The pub is listed in the 2016 Good Beer Guide and had two ales available when I visited early on a Saturday afternoon - Harviestoun Bitter and Twisted and St Austell Tribute - with a third pump left unclipped. The friendly landlady poured me a good pint of the Tribute which I sat and savoured before contemplating heading out into the cold towards my next pub of the day. I thought this was a very smartly presented, well run and friendly local's pub that goes some way to show that you can refurbish such a pub without losing its identity and ambiance. A slightly wider ale choice would have been nice, but my pint was very enjoyable and I'm glad I made the effort to seek this place out.