Stratford Upon Avon
Discussion
We find ourselves on Stratford Upon Avon for a month or two between house moves. Looking for recommendations for some decent pubs to visit while we’re here. My kids would describe my favourite pubs as old man pubs. Don’t mind a few touristy pubs but a decent pint is preferred to a primarily food pub. Anyone got any good tips? We’re around the old town area so already found the windmill and the bull, both of which ticked most of my boxes.
This chap is usually a good source for pub info => https://retiredmartin.com/2023/08/21/pub-recommend...
Doesn't look too promising for S-upon-A though.
Doesn't look too promising for S-upon-A though.
Spent a lot of time there, although I'm not really a pub person it was pretty clear that the average standard of pub there is.... iffy.
For giggles you can visit the worst Wetherspoons in the country on Sheep Street.
Other than that there's pubs with a bit of a story / Shakespeare artifacts etc.
White Swan was owned by Michael Elphick the actor.
Dirty Duck and Arden Hotel bar will have actors in it.
Lions is a nice building
The Townhouse is more modern and v slightly funky
The Keys for live music.
For giggles you can visit the worst Wetherspoons in the country on Sheep Street.
Other than that there's pubs with a bit of a story / Shakespeare artifacts etc.
White Swan was owned by Michael Elphick the actor.
Dirty Duck and Arden Hotel bar will have actors in it.
Lions is a nice building
The Townhouse is more modern and v slightly funky
The Keys for live music.
You're well placed for car based 'pub' stuff.
C&M The Hill isn't far and neither is The Piston Club, both well worth a visit and very 'Instagramable' for your kids
https://thepistonclub.co.uk/
C&M The Hill isn't far and neither is The Piston Club, both well worth a visit and very 'Instagramable' for your kids
https://thepistonclub.co.uk/
Peterpetrole said:
Spent a lot of time there, although I'm not really a pub person it was pretty clear that the average standard of pub there is.... iffy.
For giggles you can visit the worst Wetherspoons in the country on Sheep Street.
I think that accolade could go to the one in Cheltenham.For giggles you can visit the worst Wetherspoons in the country on Sheep Street.
super7 said:
Head south of Stratford to find some Hook Norton pubs around the Hooky/Chipping Norton area and around Moreton-In-Marsh for Donnington brewery pubs.... lot's of options!
Definitely. IMHO there are much nicer pubs that way. The Dirty Duck was the RSC favourite haunt when my sister and her husband worked there. Huzzah said:
Staying in town the old thatch is a favorite.
The Garrick inn (over the road from the New Place ruins) used to be a nice old man type of pub, but it must have been 15 years since I've been there...Pen and Parchment down by the marina also used to be an ok old man's type pub...
We're locals and have been for about 13/14 years. Feel free to message me if there's anything else I can help with...always happy to look after a fellow PHer.
Restaurants you're spoiled for choice - our favourites listed at the bottom in case you're interested.
But pubs...yeah, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
- There's a microbrewery half-way along Greenhill Street (so head due west out of town towards the station, it's about 100yds past the market square and the clock-tower-thingy). Always busy (although it is very small), but never bothered to try it.
- The other 'olde pubbe' to the Windmill is the Old Thatch Tavern, opposite Rother St market square.
- The Garrick is another storied pub with little nooks all over the place, but can't talk to the quality of the beer as (a) it's been a while; and (b) I'm a lager / Belgian beer sort of chap.
- The Keys has live music regularly and odd rooms out the back.
- The Townhouse is a little posher - not really a food place, more a place for 'locals in the know' to go and have a few drinks. Usually a nice atmosphere, but definitely more modern feel than "old man's pub".
Restaurant list
- Loxley's Bistro, Sheep St. Probably the best in town, if you exclude the Michelin Star place run by a right stroppy b
d who loves arguing with customers.
- The Boathouse, across the river by the bridge. Pay for the view/location, but unusally you get very good food thrown in. Also has a riverside open air bar during daylight hours which if you're still here when it warms up is well worth wasting an hour or so over a couple of drinks with friends. One of our favourites for atmosphere and service as well as food.
- El Greco, by the market square. Run by a lovely babushka called Fleur, very good Greek food (who'd have guessed!
), with a tapas-style option in case you can't make your mind up.
- Pick Thai. Opposite the Windmill, it's the cheapest and most authentic Thai in town (others are Sabai and Giggling Squid, for reference). Sadly they no longer do discount for take-away.
- Lambs/Oppo/Vintner - 3 sister bistros on Sheep Street near the RSC. Safe bets, good food but not quite to the standard of the two at the top of the list.
- The Encore. Pub food done properly (or always used to be - been a couple of years). If I was going primarily to eat somewhere I'd choose one of the above, but if it was a few mates and some beers then the Encore is a very decent compromise.
-Yukikazu. Proper Japanese food, also on Greenhill St. Not cheap, but if you like proper, non-westernised Japanese food then it's worth it.
- ...and there's a new Brazilian steak place opened up that we really need to try.
Restaurants you're spoiled for choice - our favourites listed at the bottom in case you're interested.
But pubs...yeah, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
- There's a microbrewery half-way along Greenhill Street (so head due west out of town towards the station, it's about 100yds past the market square and the clock-tower-thingy). Always busy (although it is very small), but never bothered to try it.
- The other 'olde pubbe' to the Windmill is the Old Thatch Tavern, opposite Rother St market square.
- The Garrick is another storied pub with little nooks all over the place, but can't talk to the quality of the beer as (a) it's been a while; and (b) I'm a lager / Belgian beer sort of chap.
- The Keys has live music regularly and odd rooms out the back.
- The Townhouse is a little posher - not really a food place, more a place for 'locals in the know' to go and have a few drinks. Usually a nice atmosphere, but definitely more modern feel than "old man's pub".
Restaurant list
- Loxley's Bistro, Sheep St. Probably the best in town, if you exclude the Michelin Star place run by a right stroppy b
d who loves arguing with customers.- The Boathouse, across the river by the bridge. Pay for the view/location, but unusally you get very good food thrown in. Also has a riverside open air bar during daylight hours which if you're still here when it warms up is well worth wasting an hour or so over a couple of drinks with friends. One of our favourites for atmosphere and service as well as food.
- El Greco, by the market square. Run by a lovely babushka called Fleur, very good Greek food (who'd have guessed!
), with a tapas-style option in case you can't make your mind up.- Pick Thai. Opposite the Windmill, it's the cheapest and most authentic Thai in town (others are Sabai and Giggling Squid, for reference). Sadly they no longer do discount for take-away.
- Lambs/Oppo/Vintner - 3 sister bistros on Sheep Street near the RSC. Safe bets, good food but not quite to the standard of the two at the top of the list.
- The Encore. Pub food done properly (or always used to be - been a couple of years). If I was going primarily to eat somewhere I'd choose one of the above, but if it was a few mates and some beers then the Encore is a very decent compromise.
-Yukikazu. Proper Japanese food, also on Greenhill St. Not cheap, but if you like proper, non-westernised Japanese food then it's worth it.
- ...and there's a new Brazilian steak place opened up that we really need to try.
Loads of good pubs in Stratford!!!
If you are in Old Town then the Bull is good and Windmill OK, I prefer the Townhouse which is on the other side of road.
Head along Chapel Street into Town and the Woodsman bar/restaurant in the Hotel Indigo, keep going to the High Street and the Garrick is good (small / very old pub).
My favourites are the Ale House and Ya Ya Bard, both small / quirky with good selection of ales.
If the weather is good there is a roof top at the Phoenix.
If you are in Old Town then the Bull is good and Windmill OK, I prefer the Townhouse which is on the other side of road.
Head along Chapel Street into Town and the Woodsman bar/restaurant in the Hotel Indigo, keep going to the High Street and the Garrick is good (small / very old pub).
My favourites are the Ale House and Ya Ya Bard, both small / quirky with good selection of ales.
If the weather is good there is a roof top at the Phoenix.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff