This is the plan of the Greyhound after restoration. Note how the forecourt has appeared at the roadside. Note too that there were three bars.  The ladies lavatory leads directly off the parlour; probably women were not expected in the smoking room or the bar.  The men's lavatory is outside and right at the back.   The living room shown would have been associated with the landlord's living accommodation.  Under the bar, at the roadside, was a "roll in" for getting barrels down into the cellar. The layout today is pretty much the same.

Basil Oliver, op.cit., wrote this about the restoration work: 

This, in part, is an ancient building, formerly the Stow Heath Manor House, built about 1460, and restored in 1936 under the direction of Mr. James A. Swan (of Birmingham), who has carried out his job with such knowledge and skill that it is impossible to distinguish - at least from the reproduction of the photograph taken after restoration - between the work of the fifteenth century which is authentic and that of the twentieth century, which is largely conjectural. It must, however, be confessed that the final effect of the building is delightful, even though it does not reach Lethaby’s standard of truthfulness ["to design and execute sham parts of buildings in association with the real thing is a fraud"].

"The west wing is the only portion of the original building left: the restoration brought to light some hitherto unknown and interesting features; foremost of these is the overhanging gable of the south-west angle, hidden for more than 120 years by some additions (‘complex accretions’, but not beautiful) made when the house was converted into an inn named The Greyhound and Punch Bowl. In the excavations part of the main wall of the centre hall space was exposed; the present new gable facing the High Street has been built in front of this and occupies the original recessed front of the old hall. The construction of the main foundation walls when uncovered showed the old method of damp proofing below ground, with banks of puddled clay on both sides as a precaution in low-lying ground .... The west front is now a complete … example of timber framing. The oak trees for the main posts were worked only on the exposed faces with adzed surfaces, the inside faces being left with bark removed."  Internally "the principal room on the ground floor has been adapted to present-day requirements without losing its old world appearance. It has a plaster-worked ceiling and panelled walls mostly original and part removed from the room above. During the restoration, no trace of the original stone fireplaces was found, but they have been replaced in the traditional style of the period". [Information given in The Architects’ Journal for 24^th November, 1938, p. 841, from data supplied by the architect.]

The level of the High Street is some three feet above the original ground line, hence the small paved forecourt. Clearly Mr. Swan has proved himself to be a complete master of Tudor period architecture, whether built of timber or stone, as in the case of the Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton, about two miles away. That he has done in each of these examples of his work could hardly - of its kind - have been better done.

Not all of this is as clear as it might be; but what is clear is that there might be more new build in this pub than you might think from a casual inspection.

 

This photo of the pub immediately after restoration was published by Butler's.   The small panels show the arms of de Mollesley (to the left) and of de Bilston (to the right).

Oliver seems to have got his information from the Architect's Journal which seems to have got its information from Swan.  Very similar information appears in the booklet issued by Butler's at the time.  It is likely that this booklet contains information from Swan but, to judge by the numerous illiteracies in it, either the booklet was not written by Swan himself of the printer had an off day.  Here is what it says:
 

The traditional form of plan for this house would appear to have been adopted, the main front facing due south, its size was comparatively small and was divided broadly into three blocks, the west wing containing the principal living room and the east wing for kitchen and servants, these two wings being connected in the centre by the hall.  A passage at the end leading to the main entrance door would give access to the staircase and upper rooms in addition to the two main floors.  The small gable windows shew there were lofts in the roofs. ... the restoration has brought to light some hitherto unknown and very interesting features, foremost of these is the over-hanging gable of the south-west angle, hidden for more than 120 years by some additions made when the house was converted into and Inn named The Greyhound and Punchbowl. From some English and French coins discovered in the floors these would appear to confirm the period of George III and Louis XVI, of France. In the excavations part of the main wall of the centre hall was exposed, the present new gable facing the High Street has been built in front of this, and occupies the site of the original recessed front of the old hall, this was known as the bibblefold (paved with pebbles) and used at a later date for cattle and pigs on market days. The construction of the main foundation walls when uncovered shewed the method of damp proofing below ground, with banks of puddled clay on both sides as a precaution in low lying ground. It will be noticed that the level of the High Street is some three feet above the original ground line which has been excavated on the south and west sides, forming a sunk court and passage. The west front is now a complete example of timber framing, from a derelict building it has been renewed and is now well worthy of study.  The oak trees for the main posts were only worked on the exposed faces with axed surfaces, the inside faces being left with the bark removed. The construction of the south-west angle post is particularly interesting, it is all hand-worked with the natural shape of the wood retained. Here in the room on this corner of the first floor, where once was held the Court Leet, was a richly carved mantelpiece of the Sixteenth Century, with fine oak panelling.  The beautiful example of the period has been refixed in a room on the ground floor known as the Ladies' Parlour.  The panelling has original carved frieze panels of sunk strap-work.  It is probably the main staircase of the house, of which nothing remains, was near the approach to this room. Below on the ground floor is the principal room of the house, adapted to present day requirements without losing its old-world appearance.  Its chief glories are a splendid example of a plaster-worked ceiling, panelled walls mostly original and part removed from the room above, and a delicately carved mantelpiece shewing earlier type of panels with shaped arches.  Of the ceiling with its mellow colouring of old age retained, it can be said this is the original, had worked in situ and done by a master craftsman;  it has been wrongly described Arabesque.  The designs is an all over pattern based on a vine stem which was first applied, the leaves, fruit and birds being added afterwards.  There can be no doubt this is the work of the Tudor period, great care having been taken to preserve it intact.  A portion of this ceiling now in the passage has been reproduced.

No trace of the original stone fireplaces has been found, they have been replaced in the traditional style of the period.

The owners, Butler's, seem to have been pleased enough with the result as it was probably just after the restoration that they built this float (seen here outside their Springfield Brewery). It was probably for use in such events as the Bilston Carnival. The building shown seems to be based roughly on the Greyhound and Punchbowl.

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