Nine of the best Black Country canalside pubs to visit and enjoy waterfront views

Along the many miles of canals running through the Black Country, people have been out enjoying the good weather through walks along the paths, riding a bicycle or even hiring a canal boat.

As part of the day out, people may want to stop and enjoy a cold drink or some food along the way and within the Black Country, there are a lot of canal side pubs which cater for that need.

With help from the Canal Boat Holidays website, which has been out to review every pub on the canal side, we can reveal the nine best pubs along the canal to stop at for food and drink and to take in the scenery.

These ratings are based against Google and Tripadvisor review scores, with the final total being the average of the two scores.

78-80 High Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, DY8 4LY

The Old Wharf Inn is an independent pub on the road leading into Stourbridge town centre which sits overlooking the Stourbridge canal basin and Bonded Warehouse, which was created out of the former Moorings Tavern.

Established in 2019, it has established a reputation for quality real ales, craft spirits and good food, while the pub and beer garden is open to the neighbourhood seven days a week.

The Old Wharf Inn prides itself of providing quality food using locally sourced ingredients, all while overlooking the cobbled road and traditional brickwork buildings surrounding the canal basin, making it a popular place to either stop after a long journey or a place to start off from.

Park Road, Rushall, Walsall, West Midlands, WS4 1LG

The Manor Arms runs alongside the Rushall Canal and is rumoured to originally have been built around 1105 and hold a licence to serve ale since 1248, which would make it one of the oldest pub sites in the country.

The current building was built in the 18th century and retains traditional features like exposed beams, bench seating and an open fire in the bar.

The handpumps are in a line along the wall resulting in it being known locally as 'the pub with no bar'.

51 Owen Street, Tipton, DY4 8HE

The Birmingham Canal Navigations (Old Main Line) brings travellers up to this quirky pub in the centre on Tipton, which was a training base for Tipton-born British Heavyweight prize fighter William Perry, better known as the Tipton Slasher, in the 19th century.

Food is served Monday to Thursday lunchtimes, while cobs and pork pies are available throughout the day. 

The pub's setting alongside the canal offers an opportunity for people to sit and watch the boats and wildlife go by while also enjoying a pint of Greene King Abbot Ale, Wye Valley HPA or any of the other fine drinks on offer.

High Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 1ST

The Angel sits on Wednesfield High Street and has the Wyrley and Essington Canal running past it.

It is a pub well-regarded as welcoming and lively on weekends and was rebuilt on the site in 1932, having been a coaching inn in the 17th century.

Inside, it's a small narrow pub where internal works saw the bar knocked through to the smoke room to make one room in 1967.

Park Road, Rushall, WS4 1LG

The second pub running alongside the Rushall Canal offers great views from the beer garden at the back of the canal and surrounding area.

The Boathouse offers live bands and DJs at weekends, bingo on Monday and a speed-quiz every Thursday.

There's also a function room with skittle alley available for hire and a great selection of food and drink on offer.

Yorks Bridge, Norton Road, Pelsall, Walsall, WS3 5AU

Sitting next to the Wyrley and Essington Canal, the Fingerpost is an oasis of calm with a large beer garden running alongside the canal.

The pub prides itself on offering high quality drinks, great food which is locally sourced and a warm welcome from staff.

It's also a dog-friendly environment and has an outdoor terrace overlooking the canal which, on a nice day, is a cosy place to watch the world go by.

41 - 43 High Street, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, WV11 1ST

The second pub in Wednesfield running alongside the Wyrley and Essington Canal, the Royal Tiger is a Wetherspoon pub built on the site of a former bakery and taking its name from an earlier pub which stood next door.

The pub consists of a drinking area in the front half of the pub and a more dining-friendly layout to the rear, while the side and back of the pub has a courtyard with steps up to a terrace with canal view.

Being a Wetherspoon pub, the food and drink options are varied, while the terrace offers a decent view over the canal.

Waterfront Way, Brierley Hill, DY5 1XD

Sitting at the start of the Waterfront in Brierley Hill alongside the Stourbridge Canal, the Brierley Hop House is a large pub run by Marstons.

The outside beer garden offers a great view over the canal and has undergone a transformation in both name and nature.

Inside, the pub has dim lighting and plenty of hideaways to enjoy a drink and have a meal from the extensive food menu comprising of burgers and other grills. 

10 Wolverhampton Street, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 8LR

The Met Sports sits overlooking the basin of the Walsall Canal, renowned for its green top layer, and is known as a great place to watch sports.

The bar is one of the longest in the region, while there are screens all around the bar, broadcasting a range of sports.

Owned by Davenports, the bar also has a great range of drinks and a large and diverse food menu, as well as a nice view over the canal basin.