Half Penny Farm - Dining & Carvery — Restaurant in Sandwell

Have not visited the Half Penny Farm in many years, it used to be called the One and Two Halves (Fayre & Square - still the same Greene King but a change of plaque on the wall).

Located just off the main road and easily accessible for the M5, there is ample parking - but be sure to validate number plate when arrive so don't end up with a fine. I believe they had to do that because of the offices next door taking up all of the parking spaces, so needed to keep customer parking available.

Visited the bar to order my drink, the lady serving was very friendly, easy to chat to and also quick service. Can not complain at all.

Today is so hot it's unreal, but inside.... You can find places that are like being in an igloo in places under the aircon. I sat there for a while to cool down, then shifted along to a warmer spot - it was much appreciated having the cool down being 30'+ outside! The drinks were always served ice cold too.

Managed to get a bit of work done on the WiFi. Speed test shows the connection as 72.0Mbps download / 11.6Mbps upload. Spot on! Can not fault it for Teams calls and re-sync of files. A good point for those working from home and like to get out.. Plus... it was just as strong outside.

After moving to somewhere to bask! I went to sit outside for a bit on one of the many picnic benches. It's a little noisy due to being next to the main road but unavoidable really. Then used one of the many wooden huts... Well... they are awesome! Not only do they have really good WiFi signal in, but there is a light and a switch for the heat lamp on the ceiling to come on. It is like a remote working dream to have privacy, deadens some of the traffic noise and be outside too even if weather is a bit iffy.

One great point is spotted they have a dedicated "shed" for the outside users. Check the picture out. It is great. Was almost perfect, but with a few improvement points: The menus could do with a bit of a clean, mine was splattered with food. There was no salt or vinegar available - I had to get mine from a table inside. It would be useful to check those are fully stocked. Another person after me, then was passed my salt so could do with looking at that.

The Greene King app used was just fine, while outside just chilling and writing this review - did not need to get up and goto the bar. On the huts the number was on the outside - it could be useful to have this number inside of the hut too as did take me a second longer to look for it.

This is a family and friendly dog place. Children can play out side on the playground area, and dogs are welcomed with the many dog bowls and water in the outside shed fresh for them. Everyone is catered for.

Toilets were decent, clean and fresh. No problems at all here.

I also ordered food here. I had the Lousianna-style Chicken Goujons & Mayonnaise bap. The bap and the chicken were nice and tasty, fresh and hot. Tasted great! The salad was plentiful on the place and nice. The chips - the only negative opinion really on the food, they were warm, some were hot and some were warm - did not taste fresh, and could have been sitting there for some time.

Top point to note, the staff here bring a warm welcome. It is a place for regulars and newcomers alike! Just be friendly and you will fit in just fine.

Only a few comments, and which is all why can only rate at 4* and not 5* : When bought drinks at the bar, the empties on table sat there uncollected even though then used order to table - the empty glasses I moved to the edge of the table to take, were just left behind. The outside dining station was missing salt and vinegar. Chips were mix of luke-warm / hot. Could just be worth serving fresh batches with the meals and would have been perfect.

Update 15/09/2023: Upped the review to 5* as since last visit, everything is now...

Went for a late lunch with family. Walked in and the place was quite busy but there were quite a few tables empty and unreserved. Sat down at a table, as we always do, and an Asian woman came and asked if we were seated there and I told her we weren't, and just sat down. She told me you have to go and join the queue with everyone else, not just sit down. Her request wasn't unreasonable however, she could have been abit more polite, and discreet as she kept going on and people at the next table were listening..it's embarrassing. We were seated at a table, and I ordered food on the app for everyone straight to the table. Took over 15 minutes for drinks to arrive, food was relatively longer. The food was good, no complaints there at all. When I ordered dessert, mine was brought out in a box with no spoon. I looked around and saw others having dessert given in a plate with a spoon. This was very odd to me. My nephew wanted a spoon for his ice cream also, so he went to the counter standing there to ask for a spoon. The guy on the bar just completely ignored him. All the little dude wanted was a spoon! I had to go and find someone who then got us a spoon, and was friendly and nice. It's hard working with the general public, I get that, but some of the staff are quite impolite. I also found that multiple members of staff were walking by, and our plates were just not being cleared. Only when dessert came, were a few dishes taken away and rest left. Very strange behaviour.

This isn't a remark on the pub itself, but the atmosphere was very tense today. The first time that I experienced it. Alot of staring, and not just looking but looking in such a way you felt uncomfortable. My niece and nephew are half white and half Spanish, and my mum and I both Asian. My mum wears traditional Asian clothing, and it's not a regular thing taking her to a pub but it was an exception with the kids. From the minute we walked in, people at tables kept staring and even when we were sitting waiting and eating food. I don't usually feel like this, but the place was 95% white with the exception of a few multicultural members of staff. I think with tensions high in the country due to immigration, some people are trying to make coloured people uncomfortable. And it worked. It's a shame the country has come to the level of prejudice, and in small family places such as these. I doubt I will go back there again. It really ruined...

To get to the establishment from Dudley you go down the Wolverhampton road "A 4123" as thou your going to junction 2 of the M5 entry will be on your left at the lights . In the opposite direction coming from Birmingham you would have to come to the island and take Exit 3 and head along the A 4034 towards the A 457 then turn off onto Dudley rd witch then leads into Dudley road east then into Tipton road which will lead you onto the A 461 which will lead you to the A 4123 which will lead you to the half penny farm carvery as explained previously or the other way is to head to Dudley and go to castle gate island and take the six Exit and follow the previous instructions given previously given on how to get to the half penny farm from Dudley . It a long way round but it will put you in the right position to enter the establishment on your left .First there is plenty of parking spaces, but parking is tight ! . And they operate a parking registration system for those coming into the half penny farm. Those not comming into the carvery have to pay to park , those coming into the carvery register their cars comming in, the registration machine is on your left. Just put in your vehicle registration number that's it. The interior is of the traditional pub design, with good lighting not bright just soft and ambient. Me and a group of friends approached the establishment on a Saturday, the place was very busy, so get in line and wait so you can pay for your meal or meals at the bar. Finding a place to sit was no problem "didn't have to book a place for that part" , the ordering of the meals is when you have to get into the que and wait. I my self had a standard and my partner she had the same and the other friends too. Going to the carver it self was easy just hand over the ticket you purchased at the bar and that's it and the catering crew will ask "what do you want " me in reply "everything " I was hungry........! I only had breakfast, so I was good to go plus a shandy pint, no pudding no room left , but I did look at the pudding section, very impressive .not your standard puddings, for me agin very impressive, will be trying that the next time I go again. Overall a very good place to go for a meal with your family, friends girlfriend's or boyfriend or just on your own, if you just don't want to cook and you fancy a change and there's no...