Reader recommends – Pubs

Wednesday 29th June 2011, 3:30PM BST.

Reader recommends – Pubs

Every week, we’ll be looking for your recommendations of the best places to eat, drink and enjoy yourselves across the Black Country.

This week, we asked our Twitter and Facebook followers to name the best pubs in the region. Here are the destinations that they chose:

The Crooked House, Coppice Mill

First built as a farmhouse, The Crooked House is so called because of a sharp lean in the building, caused by local mining in the 1800s, that means one side of the pub is four feet lower than the other.

This has made it a strong tourist attraction and the leaning walls, combined with the level floors, make for an interesting experience.

Plenty of you recommended it and Karen Drake Was Woodhouse put it best on our Facebook page when she said it’s the only place where “you don’t need to be drunk to feel drunk!”

Read the review of The Crooked House

The Black Country Arms, Walsall

Another popular choice was The Black Country Arms in Walsall, which specialises in quality hand-pulled real ales.

Steph Jennings told us on Facebook that it has “fantastic staff and the fruit wine is divine” while Dan Johnson tweeted that it has a “great choice of ales, good choice of food and always a warm welcome.”

Rudd Macnamara also praised the company which owns it, saying “Black Country Ales Pubs are the best – no yobs, clean, no loud music, no tellies and best of all is the best variety of beer on tap.”

The Beacon Hotel, Sedgley

This traditional Victorian tower brewery offers four home brewed ales and is the home of Dark Ruby Mild, from the Sarah Hughes brewery.

@BeerBeauty said on Twitter that it is a “quaint pub, constantly award-winning with great staff and lovely regulars.”

Katie Horan added that it is an “old-fashioned pub that has stayed true to tradition and does its own brew – Brill!”

Mad O’Rourke’s Pie Factory, Tipton

A Black Country institution, Mad O’Rourke’s pies are well-known and bring many a visitor to the Pie Factory in Tipton.

@Stranger_UK said on Twitter: “I suspect this will get a lot of attention, but the Pie Factory is still a flagship for the Black County in my opinion.

“First and foremost is the food – the pies are excellent and the deals in the week are great. The staff are always friendly and welcoming too.”

Read about the reopening of the Pie Factory

The Fox and Anchor, Cross Green

This country pub and restaurant dates back to the 1700s and claims to ooze rural charm and rustic character.

With a setting right on the banks of Shropshire Union Canal, drinkers are treated to some lovely views and are perfectly placed to walk off a heavy lunch.

Joseph Spiekermann said on our Facebook page that “the food is okay, but the location – right on the canal – is gorgeous” and several others agreed with him.

Read the Insider’s review of The Fox and Anchor

What are your favourite pubs in the region? Let us know whether you agree with these choices and tell us your own in the comments below:


  1. 1
    David edwards

    The boatmans rest in Walsall wood , great food great prices and even greater portions, wide choice of meals we normally go for the specials that change weekly but the lasagne is the best around

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Tony Downing

    How the hell is Cross Green in the Black Country???? “With a setting right on the banks of Shropshire Union Canal” may be a clue to the fact that it isn’t. Get a grip

    Report abuse



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