Fat Badgers Guide to Quality Inns. The original Guide Listing the very best inns serving good food, wine, beer, ales and hospitality

Staffordshire

Click the map for tourism ideas Staffordshire 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, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire WV4 5JN. 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, Staffordshire 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
	Black Lion

	Consall Forge, Wetley Rocks, Staffordshire ST9 0AJ. Tel: 01782 550294

	Blakelands

	Six Ashes Road, Bobbington, Staffordshire DY7 5DP. Tel: 01384 221000
	Excellent restaurant converted from a hay barn with a function room in the converted maltings barn. Good quality food in a rural location is complimented with accommodation in the house, stables or lodge. Close to Halfpenny Green airfield and 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.
	Bridge Street Ale House

	31 Bridge Street, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Staffordshire ST5 2RY. Tel: 07801277818
	Newcastle under Lyme Micropub. The first Micro in the area and we loved it! Nice to see the casks on display in the former antiques shop window and some great ales available. Very friendly place.
	Bull & Bladder

	10 Delph Road, Brierley Hill, Staffordshire DY5 2TN. 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.
	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 !
	Crooked House

	Coppice Mill, Himley, Staffordshire DY 3 4DA. Tel:
	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 !
	Crown Inn

	Den Lane, Wrinehill, Staffordshire CW3 9BT. Tel: 01270 820472
	19th century coaching inn on the Staffordshire / Cheshire border serving good food and excellent real ales.
	Dartmouth Arms

	Snowdon Rd, Burnhill Green, Staffordshire WV6 7HU. Tel: 01746 783268
	Excellent Country pub with good ale and excellent food.
	Dog Inn

	2 Main Street, Whittington, Staffordshire WS14 9JU. Tel: 01543 432601

	Fitzherbert Arms

	, Swynnerton, Staffordshire ST15 0RA. Tel: 01782 796782
	Quality inn less than a mile from the A51 and three miles out of Stone. The Fitz serves great ales, stunning food and an exceptional variety of ports. Classic cars are often seen visiting the inn as it is a classic inn!
	Floodgate Ale Bar

	147 Newport Road, Stafford, Staffordshire ST16 2EZ. Tel: 07917 885821
	Stafford Micropub. Fat Badger Kilo was lucky enough to get a puncture as he passed through Stafford and found a Kwik Fit in walking distance of the Floodgate so the pain of a new tyre wasn't nearly as bad as it could of been. An excellent variety of very well kept ales and some very amusing locals.
	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.
	Great Western

	Sun Street, 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.
	Green Man

	Main Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 0AX. Tel: 01827 373262
	former 16th century coaching inn, located within the quiet, friendly village of Clifton Campville, less than six miles from Tamworth, is still providing the same welcoming atmosphere to 'wayfayers' today as it always has done. The interior is homely and warming and there are chunky wooden furnishings and exposed beams.
	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.
	Greyhound Pub & Restaurant

	Greyhound Lane, Lower Penn, Staffordshire WV4 4UN. Tel: 01902 620 666
	16th century just 4 miles from Wolverhampton but out in the Staffordshire countryside. Excellent food and well kept ales.
	Hail To The Ale

	2 Pendeford Avenue, Claregate, Staffordshire WV6 9EF. Tel: 07846 562910
	Wolverhampton Micropub. This former Post Office is a belter - always busy and always good ale. Friendly service
	Hand & Trumpet

	Main Road, Wrinehill, Staffordshire CW3 9BJ. Tel: 01270 820048

	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.
	Hollybush Inn

	Denford Road, Denford, Staffordshire ST13 7JT. Tel: 01538 371819
	Delightful canalside inn converted from a former flour mill serving good home cooked food and ales.
	Holy Inadequate

	67 Etruria Old Road, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire ST1 5PE. Tel: 01782 915170
	A traditional local 'real ale boozer' close to the former National Garden Festival site and just off the A500 'D' Road. Great ales and belting pork pies if you're feeling peckish. Being in Stoke on Trent you'll find that the locals will start chatting to you whether you want them to or not.
	Horns Inn

	61 Slitting Mill Road, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 2UW. Tel: 01889 586000
	Cosy venue close to Cannock Chase serving real ales and with a whisky snug, serving classic & modern British 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.
	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.
	Labour In Vain

	Meece Road, Yarnfield, Staffordshire ST15 0NJ. Tel: 01785 761401
	traditional English village pub home cooked dishes
	Littleton Arms

	St.Michaels' Square, Penkridge, Staffordshire ST19 5AL. Tel: 01785 716300
	The grade II listed Littleton dating back to 1793 sits on the A449 in the middle of Penkridge and serves excellent food and a good selection of very well kep real ales.
	London Road Ale House

	241 London Road, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 5AA. Tel: 01782 698070
	Stoke on Trent Micropub. We've visited this one a few times and the ales are always great with friendly and knowledgeable staff and if you know anything about food in Staffordshire, you can also pop along to the London Road Oatcake shop.
	Love & Liquor

	1, 3 The Square, Codsall, Staffordshire WV8 1EA. Tel: 01902 843277
	Codsall Micropub. The beer range wasn't brilliant the day we visited but there was a good vibe and very friendly staff. We sat upstairs and struggled to hear each other but we're not sure if the room was boomy or the lads on the next table were just speaking louder than normal.

	Manor Court Alehouse

	4 Manor Court Street, Penkhull, Staffordshire ST4 5DW. Tel:
	Penkhull Micropub. Excellent micro serving very good quality ales and very friendly bar staff and locals.
	Mere Inn

	Crewe Road, Alsager, Staffordshire ST7 2HA. Tel: 01270 879409

	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 includes Snowdonia on a clear day.
	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.
	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 !
	Navigation Inn

	Greensforge Lane, Swindon, Staffordshire DY6 0AH. Tel: 01384 273721
	Delightful canalside inn just out of the hussle & bustle of the midlands. The Navi serves good food and exceptionally well kept ales.
	Oakley Arms

	Kiddemore Green Road, Brewood, Staffordshire ST19 9BH. Tel: 01902 859800

	Old Bulls Head

	1 Redhall Road, Lower Gornal, Staffordshire DY3 2NU. Tel: 01384 231616
	The Old Bulls Head dating back to 1834 has a fascinating history. When the pub was purchased in 1999 the new owners had no idea that the old locked outhouse at the back of the pub had brewing equipment inside until they broke the locks. An idea was born and brewing re-started at the pub forming Black Country Ales. The owners have since purchased many of the black country's best known ale houses.
	Pendrell Arms

	Wood Road, Codsall Wood, Staffordshire WV8 1QR. Tel: 01902 847788
	Formerly the Crown, the Pendrell serves Good value Punjabi food located in a small village in South Staffordshire.
	Plough & Harrow

	82 High Street, Kinver, Staffordshire DY7 6HD. Tel: 01384 872659

	Plume Of Feathers

	Station Road, Barlaston, Staffordshire ST12 9DH. Tel: 01782 373100
	Excellent canalside inn part owned by Neil Morrissey (Tony from Men Behaving Badly) for those that don't know. Great ales and good wholesome home cooking.
	Raddle Inn

	Quarry Bank, Hollington, Staffordshire ST10 4HQ. Tel: 01889 507278

	Red Lion

	Battlefield Hill, Wombourne, Staffordshire WV5 0JL. Tel: 01902 892270
	Popular locals inn quietly hidden right on the A449 ! Rooms on different levels and a country feel.
	Red Lion

	19 Market Street, Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 2JH. Tel: 01889 586848
	Grade II-listed heritage pub dating from the 16th century.
	Red Lion Inn

	Six Ashes Road, Bobbington, Staffordshire DY7 5DU. Tel: 01384 221237
	Roadside inn located close to Bobbington Airfield and close to the Shropshire border.
	Robin Hood

	196 Collis St, Stourbridge, Staffordshire 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.
	Spode Cottage

	Armitage Road, Armitage, Staffordshire WS15 4AT. Tel: 01543 490353
	Tasteful refurbishment of a former cottage and far larger than it looks from the outside. Adjacent to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Good food and traditional ales.
	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.
	Stafford Arms

	The Green, Bagnall, Staffordshire ST9 9JR. Tel: 01782 502266
	16th Century inn located in front of the village green in the picturesque village of Bagnall
	Swan Hotel

	The Square, Brewood, Staffordshire ST19 9BS. 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 Inn

	Fradley Junction, Nr Alrewas, Lichfield, Staffordshire DE13 7DN. Tel: 01283 790330
	Grade II listed whitewashed inn known locally as `The Mucky Duck'. The Duck was originally built to serve the workmen who dug the canals and was later a stabling point for boat horses. Full of old-world character, with vaulted brick ceilings the Duck extends the warmest of welcomes and a fine selection of good food and drink.
	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.
	The Bell

	Bell Road, Trysull, Staffordshire WV5 7JB. Tel: 01902 892871

	The Bentlands

	Suckling Green Lane, Codsall, Staffordshire WV8 2BP. Tel: 01902 843654
	Popular pub with wide food range and of very good quality. Locals pub serving traditional ales.
	The Britannia

	109 Kent Street, Upper Gornal, Staffordshire 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.
	The Cat

	Bridgnorth Rd, Enville, Staffordshire DY7 5HA. Tel: 01384 872209
	Excellent 16th century country inn with a wide and varied range of ales.
	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.
	The Fountain

	8 Temple Street, Lower Gornal, Staffordshire 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, Staffordshire 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.
	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 !
	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 Old Mill

	28 Windmill Street, Upper Gornal, Staffordshire DY3 2DQ. Tel: 01902 881394
	Comfortable and welcoming two roomed hostelry serving good value bar meals with a separate restaurant upstairs. Close to Gornals' Windmill !
	The Trumpet

	58 High Street, Bilston, Staffordshire WV14 0EP. Tel: 01902 493723

	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.
	Waggon & Horses

	17A Church Street, Oldbury, Staffordshire B69 3AD. Tel: 0121 552 5467

	Weston Hall

	, Weston Bank, Staffordshire ST18 0HS. Tel: 01889 271082
	Superb grade II* listed Elizabethan building surrounded by 20 acres of breathtaking scenery. A fine hotel & restaurant rather than a pub but well worth a mention.
	Wheatsheaf Inn

	Bar Hill Road, Onneley, Staffordshire CW3 9QF. Tel: 01782 751581
	If you're not a local then have a go at pronouncing Onneley and watch the locals have a laugh. The Wheatsheaf, dating back to 1769 serves excellent food and well kept real ales.
	Whittington Inn

	, Whittington, Staffordshire DY7 6NY. Tel: 01384 872110
	Great half timbered pub with lots of character which has a wide range of ales.
	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
	19th Century institution ! Named after the old Yew tree in the car park, the grade II listed 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.