Fighting Cocks Inn, High Street, Stottesdon, KIDDERMINSTER, DY14 8TZ [Map]
01746 718270 
18-23 MO-TH; 17-23 FR; 12-23 SA; 12-23 SU
Car Park, Evening Meals, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar, Campsite At / Near Pub

AJ outside the pub on a grey Sunday in January 2002

This is what I'd call a text book example of the perfect country pub. It's fantastic, and very popular and much loved by locals and visitors alike. Do pack a map though , as we certainly got a little lost finding this pub! You'll be rewarded when you walk through the front door by a warm welcome from the staff, and you'll quickly settle in amongst the chatty locals. I was obviously immediately struck by the high quality of the ale, with a couple of Hobsons ales on offer. Whenever you see Hobsons in a pub, you're pretty much guaranteed to have an excellent pint, and this was no exception. My pint of Hobsons Town Crier (abv. 4.5%) went down particularly well, and I relished the dry finish. There's guest beers available too, so you'll no doubt end up spoilt for choice. You'll find newspapers available should you wish to keep up with the news, and obviously plenty of locals to chat to to catch up on local goings-on.

You might want to try their food. Their Sunday lunch was on a par with the very best that I've had in the land. They're great supporters of local producers, hence the Hobsons ales and they've got a very decent butcher. Incidentally the were a winner of the Shropshire Food & Drink Award in 2003/2004 and are very well known for their fine pies using local sourced produce. What a place, I'm definitely going to go back. Oh yes, and the pub's got its own post office and shop too!

Great beer and great food, January 2002