taffordshire lies across the upper reaches of the River Trent and has a gently rolling terrain, except in the north, where the southern tip of the Peak District National Park incorporates an area of upland moors. Agriculture, especially dairy farming, predominates. The area around Stoke-on-Trent is known as the Potteries, famed since the 18th century for the manufacture of porcelain, famous names abound such as Wedgwood, Minton, Copeland and Spode. Tucked away in the Staffordshire hills is the city of Lichfield, known for its three-spired cathedral and fine Georgian architecture.

Abbey Inn

Abbey Green Road, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8SA Tel: 01538 382865

17th Century inn located in a rural setting in the outskirts of the Moorland Market town of Leek but still within reasonable walking distance of the town centre.

Barley Mow

Pennwood Lane, Penn Common, Staffs, WV4 5 Tel: 01902 333510

A small pub extended in 1999, next to Penn Golf Club with a great atmosphere and some fine Ales.

Beacon Hotel

129 Bilston Street, Sedgley, South Staffs DY3 1JE Tel: 01902 883380

Superb Victorian hostelry serving the strongest Mild in the World 'Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild' or 'Ruby' for short. Brewed on the premises

The Bentlands

Suckling Green Lane, Codsall, South Staffs, WV8 2BP Tel: 01902 843654

Popular pub with wide food range and of very good quality. Locals pub serving traditional ales.

Blakelands

Six Ashes Road, Bobbington, South Staffs, DY7 5DP Tel: 01384 221464

A restaurant rather than an inn, but a high quality one close to Bobbington airfield close to the Shropshire border.

Boat Inn

170 Basford Bridge Lane, Cheddleton, Staffordshire, ST13 7EQ Tel: 01538 360683

Lovely inn situated in a wonderful Churnet Valley setting with the River Churnet and Caldon Canal passing right by. Excellent food along with well kept traditional ales has seen the Boat gain many awards. The rustic restaurant area is open to the main lounge which has a real homely feel. No accommodation but the local 4 star caravan park is only a short walk away. A hidden gem, easily accessed from the main A520 Stoke to Leek road.

The Britannia

109 Kent Street,  Dudley, South Staffs, DY3 1UX Tel: 01902 883253

A pub that remained unaltered since it first opened as a home brew ale house - until recently. The back room remains as it was when 'Old Sal' ran the pub - except for new curtains and a lick of paint, the rest of the pub has been knocked through to create a larger room. Not quite the same as before but if you're looking for a pub with character - then the back room with an old photo of 'Sal' stood on the pub doorstep when she was a small girl and with beer pulls in the wall - then this is a real gem.

Bull & Bladder

10 Delph Road, Brierley Hill, Staffs, DY5 2TZ Tel: 01384 78293

Actually called 'The Vine' but everybody knows it as the Bull & Bladder. Bathams beers are brewed on the premises and the food is good old traditional black Country cooking. Regarded by those that know what they're talking about as being the Mecca for ale drinkers.

Bull & Spectacles

Uttoxeter Road, Blithbury, Staffordshire, WS15 3HY Tel: 01889 504201

Excellent rural inn dating back to 1650 with timber floors, a mix of old furniture styles and a reputation for good value food. Formerly called the Bulls Head until a drunken customer placed his spectacles on the bulls head and the new name was born. Is said to be home to three ghosts.

The Cat

Bridgnorth Rd, Enville, South Staffs, DY7 5HA Tel: 01384 872209

Excellent 16th century country inn with a wide and varied range of ales.

Coopers Tavern

43 Cross Street, Burton Upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1EG  Tel: 01283 532551

Superb tiny little 19th Century inn opposite Bass brewery which hasn't changed in years and where the Head Brewers from most of the breweries in Burton meet for lunch. The photo shown is from the rear access from Milton Street. Some of the seats are made out of old timber casks and the beer is served straight from the cask and is nectar !

The Crown

Codsall Wood, South Staffs, WV8 1QR Tel: 01902 842497

Good value food located in a small village in South Staffordshire.

The Crown

Main Street, Yoxall, Staffordshire, DE13 8NQ Tel: 01543 473783

Friendly village local with simple but good value home made food using the best local produce. Basic bar but cosy lounge.

Crooked House

Coppice Mill, Himley, Dudley, South Staffs, DY3 4DA Tel: 01384 238583

In typical Black Country style, the locals call the pub something different to its' real name. Actually called the Glynne Arms but known as the Crooked House for obvious reasons. Years of mining subsidence have created a building that you feel drunk in before you've touched a drop. A pub where ball bearings run uphill !

Dartmouth Arms

Snowdon Road, Burnhill Green, South Staffs, WV6 7HU Tel: 01746 783268

Excellent Country pub with good ale and excellent food.

The Fountain

Tel: 01384 242777 8 Temple Street, Dudley, South Staffs, DY3 2PE Tel: 01384 242777

Friendly locals inn with a wide range of customers and an even wider range of guest ales makes the Fountain THE pub to visit out of the many good pubs in Gornal. The quality of the ales is such that the Dudley branch of Camra hold many of their meetings here. The Fountain continues to improve following substantial investment for a small inn and now boasts a printed menu which on first impression, appears to be that of a mass produced chain pub. On further inspection, the quality of presentation is matched by the daily specials on the wall and the finished product which arrives at your table.

The Fox

Bridgnorth Road, Stourton, South Staffs, DY7 5BL  Tel: 01384 872614

Homely country inn but only a short distance from bustling Stourbridge. Located at the South end of 'The Million' forest.

George Inn

Castle Street, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6DF  Tel: 01785 850300

Home of the Eccleshall brewery, the George was originally a 17th Century coaching inn and lies in the centre of town. Part of the inn is now taken over by George's Bistro.

The George

Alstonefield, Ashbourne, Staffordshire, DE6 2FX  Tel: 01335 310205

Wonderful village inn located close to the Derbyshire border at the top end of the delightful Dovedale valley. Far better to park at the inn and walk through Dovedale and then back for a lovely pint of cask ale than to join in with the tourists and park at the other end of Dovedale and finish with an ice cream in a large car park !

Great Western

Sun St, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV10 0DG Tel: 01902 351090

'Spit and Sawdust' pub next to the old Low Level station but well worth a visit for anyone looking for extremely well kept beer, real value for money food or rail enthusiasts as the pub is filled with old train memorabilia. Very popular at lunchtimes with workers from Wolverhampton's Post Sorting Office and town centre offices.

Greyhound Inn

Manor Court Street, Penkhull, Staffordshire, ST4 5DW Tel: 01782 848978

Excellent award winning inn dating back to 1540 as a Yeoman's House and between 1558 -1829 was used as a monthly manorial court. Excellent ales are complimented by good well priced food with an Australian feel including kangaroo. The Greyhound is a multi roomed inn which boasts real fires, beams and timber panelled walls. Located in a village atmosphere on the Penkhull Heritage Trail but less than a mile from Stoke city centre.

Hollybush Inn

Salt, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0BX   Tel: 01889 508234

14th Century thatched inn once owned by the Earl of Shrewsbury. Claims to be the first Inn to be licensed in the country under the Licensing Act of 1610. Good range of beers and a reputation for fine food.

Horseshoe Inn

Main Street, Tatenhill, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE13 9SD Tel: 01283 564913

Very popular country inn with excellent food and well kept ales. Good outdoor adventure play area for children. Busy lunchtime trade as the Horseshoe is only a couple of miles outside Burton upon Trent but in a peaceful valley.

Izaak Walton

Cresswell, Staffordshire, ST11 9RE Tel: 01538 304206

Superb thatched country inn named after Izaak Walton, a Staffordshire author who wrote 'The Complete Angler' - regarded as the fisherman's Bible. The Izaak Walton has a real homely feel, good quality ales and a first class food menu with first class service.

Jervis Arms

Oncote, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 7RU Tel: 01538 304206

Country inn noted for it's fine ale,hospitality and food.

Jolly Potters

296 Hartshill Road, Hartshill, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 7NH Tel: 01782 845254

Traditional locals pub with a warm welcome, the Jolly Potters is a typical Englishman's drinking pub close to Minton Pottery and which still retains an original Minton floor in the Victoria Ground bar - named after Stoke City Football Club's former ground. A range of well kept ales.

Little Barrow Hotel

Beacon Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7AR Tel: 01543 414500

Excellent hotel with a reputation for superb food.

Mermaid Inn

Thorncliffe, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8UN Tel: 01538 300253

16th Century stone inn located high on the North Staffordshire moors at 1600 ft above sea level and which claims to be the 3rd highest in England with the highest restaurant. Traditional ales and excellent food are complimented by amazing tales of what is thought to be the only inland mermaid on record. Located within the Peak District National Park the Mermaid offers commanding views which include Snowdonia on a clear day.

The Mill

Worston Lane, Great Bridgeford, Staffordshire, ST18 9QA Tel: 01785 282710

Magnificent converted mill providing three storey drinking areas overlooking the original waterwheel. Adventure playground for children set in a lovely garden area surounded by water.

The Mitre

Lower Green, Tettenhall, South Staffs, WV6 9AH Tel: 01902 567890

Good terraced old inn, located on a small one way street opposite Lower Green.

Moat House

Acton Trussell, Staffordshire, ST17 0RJ Tel: 01785 712217

The Moat House is one of those inns where you know that whatever they do, they do it well. From very comfortable seating to a quality wine list and superb food, the first thing you notice is that warming smell of a real fire and when you see the magnificent fireplace in the cocktail bar you know you're going to be impressed by everything else they do. The original inn has been greatly extended to form a large hotel surrounded by various water features.

The Mount Pleasant

Ounsdale Road, Wombourne, Staffordshire, WV5 8BP Tel: 01902 893240

Pleasant inn serving excellent food and good quality ales located in a quiet end of Wombourne village. A short walk from the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal, the Mount Pleasant not only serves good quality food, but the service which accompanies it is too sadly lacking in so many establishments - and if you get Becky as your waitress, your goal is to try and stop her from smiling !

New Inns

Kiddemore Green, Staffordshire, ST19 9BH Tel: 01902 850614

Homely inn in a rural location just outside the village of Brewood.

The Old Mill

6 Windmill Street, Ruiton, Gornal, South Staffs, DY3 2DQ Tel: 01902 887707

Comfortable and welcoming two roomed hostelry serving good value bar meals with a separate restaurant upstairs. Close to Gornals' Windmill !

Red Lion Inn

Six Ashes Road, Bobbington, South Saffs, DY7 5DU Tel: 01384 221237

Roadside inn located close to Bobbington Airfield and close to the Shropshire border.

Red Lion

Battlefield Hill, Wombourne, South Staffs, WV5 0JL Tel: 01902 892270

Popular locals inn quietly hidden right on the A449 ! Rooms on different levels and a country feel.

Robin Hood

196 Collis St, Stourbridge, South Staffs, DY8 4EQ Tel: 01384 821120

Superb food and excellent variety of ales. Best approached from Dudley direction as the pub lies on a one way street. Popular at lunchtimes.

Rising Sun Inn

Knowle Bank Rd, Shraley Brook, Audley, Stoke-On-Trent Staffordshire, ST7 8DS Tel: 01782 720600

Great Country pub with lots of character which used to brew it's own range of powerful beers and has a good food selection.

Spread Eagle

Church Road, Rolleston on Dove, Staffordshire, DE13 9BE Tel: 01925 813004

Lovely 16th Century hotel with archway from the car park to the entrance set in a pleasant village location. Good quality food and occasional guest ales.

Swan Hotel

The Square, Brewood, Staffordshire, ST19 9 Tel: 01902 850330

Excellent village inn with it's own skittle alley. Wide range of extremely well kept ales but watch your head on the low beams ! Attached to Speedwell Castle, built to commemorate an unexpected victory in a horse race.

Swan with Two Necks

40 Brook End, Longdon, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 4PN Tel: 01543 490251

Excellent 400 year old village inn with a reputation for superb food and fine ales.

Three Horseshoes Inn

Buxton Road, Blackshaw Moor, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8TW Tel: 01538 300296

Good inn located in a remote setting with beautiful views towards the moors and Pennines.

Turf Tavern

13 Wolverhampton Road, Bloxwich, Staffordshire, WS3 2EZ Tel: 01922 407745

Great little 'spit & sawdust' pub known locally as Tinky's'. A friendly free house which maintains a 1930's decor in a Grade II listed terraced building. The pub does not do food but offers 5 to 6 real ales at any time.

Vaughan Arms

Lapley, Wheaton Aston, Staffordshire, ST19 9JU  Tel: 01785 840325

Popular 'destination' inn located 4 miles from Junction 12 of the M6. Good wholesome food and a range of well kept ales.

Weston Hall

Weston Bank, Staffordshire, ST18 0HS Tel: 01889 271700

A fine Restaurant located close to the Shropshire border.

Whittington Inn

A449, Whittington, South Staffs, DY7 6NY Tel: 01384 872110

Great half timbered pub with lots of character which has a wide range of ales.

William Hardings House

Mill Street, Penkridge, Staffordshire, ST19 5AY Tel: 01785 712955

Award winning 16th Century little restaurant, formerly a stable with oak beamed ceilings, in what feels like the front room of somebody's house. The food is Superb.

Wolseley Arms

Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire ST17 0XS Tel: 01889 883011

Excellent inn located on the junction of the A51 and A513 but in a rural setting. Good reputation for fine food, but don't let Charlie steal Bingo's chips !

Ye Olde Dog & Partridge

High Street, Tutbury, Staffordshire, DE13 9LS Tel: 01845 813030

15th Century coaching inn set in the delighful village of Tutbury, close to the Castle. Tutbury Castle once imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots and Tutbury was virtually destroyed by Oliver Cromwell. The Dog & Partridge has a homely feel and a good reputation for food with good quality rooms.

Ye Olde Rock Inn

Upper Hulme, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8TY Tel: 01538 300324

Popular inn located in the Peak District National Park offering a varied menu and views of the surrounding North Staffordshire hills.

Yew Tree

Cauldon, Staffordshire, ST10 3EJ Tel: 01538 308348

17th Century institution ! Named after the old Yew tree in the car park, the Yew Tree serves excellently well kept ale and is filled with the most amazing collection of antique clocks and machines and hasn't changed for years. Well worth a visit.

Yorkshireman

Trent Valley, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 3HB Tel: 01889 583977

Fine inn located across from Rugeley railway station but in a rural setting. A reputation for excellent food.