1364 Pershore Road
Stirchley
Birmingham
B30 2XS
0121 458 1758
The British Oak is one of Birmingham’s fine collection of inter-war ‘improved’ pubs. It was built in 1923-4 by Mr. Brassington of James & Lister Lea, the same architect who designed the Bartons Arms 23 years earlier. But times had moved on from Victorian extravagance and the British Oak is more restrained. It’s not plain though, with decorative brickwork, matching bays and leaded windows (photo 1). The central gabled entrance tower has a fine carved inn sign depicting an oak tree (photo 2).
Inside it’s mostly unaltered, and still has five elegant rooms with original flooring, tiled and wood panelled walls and fireplaces. At the back is a large conservatory and garden, and the pub still has its bowling green.
TV sport is big here, with six screens, and there is live music at weekends. There is a good range of real ales and if you want to eat, burgers are the speciality.
