ABBOTS BROMLEY.

This free house pub is situated in the picturesque village of Abbots Bromley, not far from Blithfield reservoir, where there are about 5 pubs in a quarter of a mile. It is a Georgian building beamed on the outside and oddly decorated on the inside - rather like a pub of the seventies (ironwork and Formica fake wood. It is not sure what it wants to be. That aside, the 2 roomed pub is opposite the Buttercross, a local meeting place for centuries. The church is also worth a look as are the winding lanes round about. The lounge is long and thin with a bar at one end. At the far end is seating for food. The food (all home cooked) is expansive from steak to salmon to haddock to mixed grill. Prices are in the £5 - £10 category and the food is served more like a restaurant than a pub. Sweets are interesting with choices that might include spotted dick and strawberries and cream - very nice for a lazy summer evening. The lunch (12-2.30pm) menu is different, though certain items do feature from the evening (6-9.30pm) menu. The proprietor Frank, lives on premises and chooses guest beers from a wide choice. On at the time were Fuggles IPA; Gales Anniversary and to come was Highate Bains 535. There is also a skittle alley available for hire of up to 30 people. The Crown Inn also has a selection of wines and whisky (a member of the association). The pub requires a step up to the bars and a long flight of stairs for the toilets for women (only a few for men) so not good for the disabled. Accommodation is available at £25 for a single and £45 for a double with full English breakfast. We weren't able to ascertain if they were en-suite or not, but were assured they had all the facilities (TV, tea/coffee, central heating). See also the Bagot Arms in Bagot Street, the last pub on the way through the village. This is a Marston's pub with a head brewer choice guest.

Overlooking the quiet centre of this peaceful and attractive village, the black and white timbered Goats Head fits in well. It is comfortably relaxed inside, with some heavy Tudor beams in the three linked parts of its main lounge bar and dining area. Furniture runs from traditional oak settles to solid dining tables and chairs on turkey carpet, and a big inglenook has a small coal and log fire. The landlord has some interesting recipes, and does a special Dutch meals, frikandell, and home-made chicken satay as well as the usual menu, which might include sandwiches (from £2.70; toasties from £2.90), baked potatoes (from £3), Cumberland sausages with mint mash or home-made lasagne (£5.95), braised lamb shank (£8.15), sirloin steak (from £9), and bass fillet with tangy lemon sauce (£10.75); vegetables come in rich variety. They have a good range of wines by the glass (from Tanners of Shrewsbury), and well kept Greene King Abbot and Marstons Pedigree on handpump, and service is friendly and efficient; cribbage, darts, and there may be piped radio. A panelled public bar on the right has darts, and out on a neat sheltered lawn picnic-seats and teak tables and seats look up to the church tower behind. Children are allowed in to eat only.