Stylish pub near Birmingham airport with Porsches and Range Rovers outside

A pub near Birmingham Airport, with Range Rovers and Porsches parked outside, could be just the treat you’re looking for – if you fancy a posh day out. Smartly located between Solihull’s millionaire’s rows is The Boat in the semi-rural neighborhood of Catherine-de-Barnes.

Just 25 minutes’ drive from Coventry, the 19th-century pub serves a traditional British menu with log fires and a beer garden. The pub is close to some of the most exclusive streets in the West Midlands, with villas on Alderbook Road in Solihull averaging £1.17m.

In Dorridge, houses in Bushwood Drive average £1.06 million. The cheapest – comparatively – is Copper Beech Close, where prices are just under a million at £917,000.

READ MORE: Test your knowledge of the UK in the citizenship test that many struggle with

READ MORE: The SATS questions for 10-year-olds you might not be able to get right

BirminghamLive senior reporter Alison Brinkworth came to visit the stylish pub and give her verdict. And it really looks pretty stylish there.

When she pulled into the large parking lot, there was a silver Porsche in front of her. She said her regular engine looked a little “out of place” among the luxury Range Rovers. The pub is a 15-minute drive from Birmingham Airport and the NEC, off junction 6 of the M42.

Alison visited the pub mid-week, where there was a “sleek” atmosphere outside, with conversations between some “delicious mummies” and “well-heeled” people in designer shades. The front had a dozen tables with umbrellas, while in the back was a charming, large second beer garden with a cozy circular tent with several fire pits.

The pub underwent a six-figure refurbishment in 2021, which Alison says still looks “shining new”. From the outside, The Boat has a luxurious country-house feel, with baskets and small red brick tiles, while the interior is more modern and glamorous, with plenty of tables in discreet alcoves, she said.

The large circular bar was also very well stocked. Fortunately, a few locals and workers were on a break.

Bar staff were described as “very friendly” and seemed keen to “go the extra mile” – even running downstairs to check for a last packet of Tyrell’s Mature Cheddar and Chive Crisps. There were other flavors of fancy crisps, plus servings of mixed nuts flavored with harissa or rosemary spices.

Alison said despite the lavish decor and high-list location, it’s a pub that feels welcoming to everyone, including families with children – even if you’re just visiting for a coke and a packet of crisps, as a she did

Food at The Boat in Catherine-De-Barnes

Let’s give you a taste of what’s on offer. There’s roast chicken and chorizo ​​with new potatoes, spinach and saffron aioli for £18.

There’s also slow-cooked ox cheek with garlic puree, red cabbage, crispy shallots and red wine jus for £25. The special dessert is the peanut butter parfait with caramelised bananas, candied pistachio and chocolate sea salt ice cream for £8.

Diners rave about the food online, and some five-star Google reviews say the fish pie is a must. Pizza and cocktails are also popular. Chris Harris recommended it, saying: “Beautiful surroundings and the meals were excellent. We were disappointed that there was no Cabernet Sauvignon on the wine list, but our other choice hit the spot.”

Prices at The Boat Pub

Alison says the prices are a bit expensive, but there is a lot of variety and some of the mains are more reasonable. The menu includes pizzas, burgers, cheese plates and steaks along with Stix snacks.

Small dishes range from £7.50 to £10 and sharing dishes such as a brie costs £16. Pizzas cost between £13.50 and £16.50, a cheeseburger with fries is £16 and a pea and bean risotto with salted lemon, mint and watercress pesto is £15.

Steaks cost £29 for a sirloin to £38 for a 16oz T-bone. All are served with chips, roast beef tomato, portobello mushroom and herb breadcrumbs, a beer battered pickled onion ring and a choice of pepper and brandy sauce, chimichurri or lemon butter and roasted garlic.

Cocktails cost between £9.50 and £10 and, unsurprisingly, there’s a long list of ‘fizz’ including a bottle of Bolly. Bollinger Special Cuvée is £100, but that’s a fraction of the bottle price of Dom Pérignon Vintage at £300.

There is a long wine list starting at £7 for a small glass. Beers are priced from £5.50 for a Guinness and £5.75 for Estrella Damm or £6.25 for a Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

The overall verdict

Alison rated the service as ‘excellent’ and praised the luxurious surroundings – from the toilets with their vase of fresh flowers to the huge beer gardens filled with smart garden furniture. She said it felt like a special trip out of town to a “neat” establishment that catered to the rich and famous.

It has an air of class, she explained. However, the real draw is the beer gardens – especially with summer upon us.

Where to find The Boat Pub

• Location: 222 Hampton Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes, Solihull B91 2TJ – 25 minutes from Coventry via the A45 with postcode B91 2TJ
• Opening time: 9:00-23:00 Monday to Thursday, 9:00-23:30 Friday and Saturday and Sunday 9:00-22:30

Get daily headlines and breaking news delivered to you by email – it’s FREE