The Plough, Shenstone, Kidderminster

Traditional village pub, albeit with a side / rear extension added at some stage, and given some refurbishment in the various seating areas. Also has a few wooden benches along the frontage, with several groups of locals (indulging in some quite loud, if good natured, rustic banter) catching the last rays of summer evening sunshine. As a Bathams house, just the regular Bitter and Mild available from the various handpumps, with the latter remarkably still priced at just £2.60 (although it was starting to get a bit tired).

Middle of nowhere pub that is always busy. This is because a) its Bathams and b) the best is £2.60 a pint. Very nearly got to try the legendary XXX. They had the pump on todays visit. They had sold out! Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2hZT8Dg

Shenstone is a village a mile or two from the South East edge of Kidderminster. At the centre of it is the Plough, one of two rural Batham's pubs. It consists of a long single room split into three areas. There is a newer looking covered area behind the bar, there is also a TV but it was switched off. It sells the Best and Mild but bizarrely the XXX Winter Ale was clipped despite only being available briefly in December. I went for the Best (£2.60) which was in good nick. This became a Batham's pub in 1954 and I didn't find it nearly as attractive as the other rural Batham's pub. There's nothing really quirky about it and although it is relatively unspoilt it could belong to just about any brewery or pubco. Having said that, I am being picky and it's still well worth a look. There are no buses here, I believe the nearest one is at the Mustow Green roundabout which is a fair walk away.