The hidden gem pub with a tight-knit community that 'only locals really know about'

The idyllic South Staffordshire village is a nice place to take a walk through the woodland and past the period housing, a step away from the maddening crowd, and up Church Hill towards a cream coloured building with a warming glow.

That glow comes from the Cross Inn at Kinver, an historic pub which dates back to the 1800s and forms part of the original village that grew up around the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

On approach, the pub covers a large area along Church Hill at the junction with Dark Lane, with a large car park and a nice floral scene along the side of the pub, coming out of a number of planters.

It was taken over by Black Country Ales in 2011 and underwent a refurbishment last year to increase seating capacity and add an extra room.

The pub is currently run by landlord Andrew Clark.

Mr Clark said he started running the pub in 2015 after a conversation with the owner of Black Country Ales became a job offer, even though he admitted to not knowing much about its location.

He said: "I was working for Holden's over in West Bromwich and, one day, I went into the Kings Arms in Tipton and I was just drawn to Black Country Ales and met up with the head of pubs for them.

"He said to me that there was a pub that had come up in Kinver and asked if I would come and have a look and, even though I'd never heard of the place, I came over and had a look around and found I quite liked the place and could put my stamp on it.

"The customers back then didn't know me, but they were very welcoming and I thought the people around here were very good and nice people, so I took over the running of the pub and, to be honest, I've haven't looked back."

Mr Clark said the village has been a big draw because of the location, saying that there were great walks and it was in a lovely setting alongside the greenbelt, so was also a good setting for people out on walks to stop for a pint and a pork sandwich.

He also said that he hadn't had to do much work to change the pub as the location, welcome and special feel of the pub all worked well together.

He said: "It's a great little community pub and we get a lot of passing trade from walkers, dog walkers, cyclists and that sort of thing and it's right in the middle of a tight-knit community.

"When I first came here, I felt it was warm and friendly and people were mixing and chatting, even though they'd not met me beforehand and it's always been just a nice community pub set just off the main road.

"Only the locals really know where it is and it's something of a hidden gem which is off the beaten track and comes through recommendations from people who like to try out beers and good range of cobs."

The pub has a feel of a local and traditional pub, with a real fire and a log burner and plenty of space for seating around the pub, plus a small number of flat-screen televisions showing football fixtures on match days, open mic nights and a quiz on the last Thursday each month.

Being a Black Country Ales pub, customers will always be able to get Bradley's Finest Golden, Pig on the Wall and Fireside Bitter, as well as a range of other beers and guest ales which changes on a regular basis, ciders and perrys and a fine selection of whiskies and gins.

Prices vary, but a pint of real ale would cost around £4.10, a lager would cost around £4.75, a cider would be £5.10, with Aspall slightly cheaper at £4.80 and spirits at around £5.90 with a mixer.

Mr Clark said the pub was also famed for its cobs and pork sandwiches, made by a local bakery and coming with a range of fillings, including cheese and onion, ham salad and chicken tikka, as well as samosas sourced from Wolverhampton.

He said the tight-knit community was what made the pub for him, as well as the lovely location.

He said: "Everyone knows everyone here and that can sometimes work against you, but not here as everyone looks out for each other and takes care of each other and their wellbeing.

"I'm in my ninth year here now and I'm still thankful I had that conversation and came here. Even on my first day, people were papping their horns and waving to me and I think that sums up Kinver."