Pilot, Coventry

A huge estate pub of 1938-9 by W S Clements for Atkinson's Brewery of Aston. It has been substantially altered over the years but there are two areas of interest for Art Deco enthusiasts. The right-hand room - formerly two - has several Art Deco features including a concertina-style wooden bar front; original dado panelling with built-in ventilation; a massive original timber fireplace surround enclosing a modern fireplace with big mirrors above; and a fragment of the original bar-back, but no lower shelves. The toilets off this lounge have terrazzo floors and 1930s wall tiles; the Gents' have four original Twyford's urinals.

The left-hand side has been taken over by a restaurant (currently closed) but on the first floor, up a sweeping broad staircase with terrazzo top rail, is a function room with contemporary fixed seating to the bar area, shelving for storing customers' packages, coats etc, and impressive circular recesses in the ceiling for light fittings. This room is not normally open for use.