Pubs and Grub

Historic Pubs

Personal favorites of Avril and Ian are marked with a 💗

The Boot Inn, Orleton 💗 (8 miles form Ludlow)
  • A very well-run community pub in a stunning 16th century building.

  • Serving high quality pub fare and a large range of drinks including a selection of local real ales, ciders and craft gins

  • www.bootinnorleton.co.uk/

The Riverside Inn, Aymestrey 💗 (13 miles from Ludlow)
  • Well-run, award-winning pub in picturesque location next to the river Lugg. Serves exceptional cuisine, often featuring foraged ingredients.

  • It’s also a cozy place to have a drink in front of their fire in the early evening

  • https://riversideaymestrey.co.uk/

The Charlton Arms, Ludlow
  • An excellent location adjacent to the beautiful Ludford bridge with views overlooking the river Teme below.

  • Offers elevated British classics and a strong wine list.

  • https://www.thecharltonarms.co.uk/

The French Pantry, Ludlow

The Oak at Wigmore (14.2 miles from Ludlow)

The Cider Barn at Pembridge 💗 (19 miles from Ludlow)
  • Located in a charming historic barn just outside the village of

  • Pembridge, a very pretty village which forms part of the Black and White Village trail.

  • The patron/chef Sophie uses local produce to produce inspiring café and a la carte food.

  • https://www.the-cider-barn.co.uk/

The Feathers Hotel, Ludlow

The Sun Inn, Clun (18 miles from Ludlow)
The Green Dragon, Hereford (24 miles from Ludlow)
  • Large hotel located in the heart of Hereford, a historic coaching inn dating back to 16th century.

  • A good spot for a drink after exploring the cathedral.

  • https://www.greendragonhotel.com/

The Three Tuns Inn, Bishops Castle 💗 (20 miles from Ludlow)
  • A historic pub with its own brewery (dating back to 1642). It is the

  • oldest licensed brewery in the UK.

  • Great for beer enthusiasts looking to sample local craft brews and we have had some great food over many years there. Love the window seats in the bar.

  • https://www.facebook.com/thethreetunsinnBC/

The Wheatsheaf Inn, Ludlow

The Bull Hotel, Ludlow
The Rose & Crown, Ludlow
  • Tucked away in a courtyard off the market square, it’s Ludlow’s oldest pub (it’s been an ale house since 1102), now owned by Joules Brewery

  • Great for local ales and a casual drink. Nigella Lawson filmed part of her Christmas special set in Ludlow here in 2018 sitting in front of a roaring fire.

  • https://www.theroseandcrownludlow.com/

The Church Inn, Ludlow
  • A popular pub next to St. Laurence’s Church.

  • Offers a mix of light bites and traditional pub meals, perfect for a post-sightseeing stop.

  • https://www.thechurchinn.com/

The Blue Boar, Ludlow
The Tally Ho Inn, Bouldon (7 miles from Ludlow) 💗
  • A quiet country pub offering great foods with a relaxed, rural vibe.

  • Ideal for a peaceful lunch after a walk in the Shropshire Hills.

  • https://thetallyho.co.uk/

The Maidenhead, Orleton (5 miles from Ludlow)
  • A welcoming pub with a strong focus on freshly cooked, seasonal dishes.

  • Known for its pies and Sunday lunches.

  • In walking distance in the summer from Broomer’s barn, our guests reports are favourable.

The Bell Inn, Yarpole (6 miles from Ludlow)
  • A quintessential pretty English village pub owned by the community, set in a pretty village

The Pheasant at Neenton (12 miles from Ludlow)
  • A beautiful pub in a restored historic building.

  • Perfect for combining with a day out in the countryside.

Sun Inn, Clun
Sun Inn, Clun

Fine Dining

Mortimers in Ludlow
The Checkers, Montgomery (28 miles from Ludlow)
  • A small, elegant restaurant with a focus on modern British cuisine, in this most beautiful of small towns. Under the new ownership of Andrew Birch (Great British menu series 11).

  • https://www.checkerswales.co.uk/

Native at Pensons, Netherwood Estate Tenbury Wells. (15 miles from Ludlow)

Casual Dining and Cafés

Csons at the Green café, Ludlow 💗
  • Located near Dinham Bridge, This family run café is a firm favorites of Avril’s for both the fab staff and great food

  • https://thegreencafe.co.uk/

SourCed Pizza, Ludlow 💗
Kin Kitchen, Ludlow 💗
  • Family run café in the heart of Ludlow. Serving great food in an interesting refurbished listed building with a great garden.

  • https://kinludlow.co.uk/

Unwind Bar and Bistro, Tenbury Wells 💗 (10 miles from Ludlow)
  • Bag a couch in one of the large windows and watch the world go by as you enjoy good Mediterranean Tapas style food with attentive staff.

  • https://unwinedbarandbistro.co.uk/

The Gallery Café, St Leonards Church Yarpole (9 miles from Ludlow)
The Workhouse Gallery and café, Presteigne 💗 (20 miles from Ludlow)
  • Located on the industrial estate, the food here is simple rustic and tasty. A favorite place to grab a bite to eat and purchase a present or two while dreaming of owning one of their fabulous carpets which they make and repair.

  • https://www.theworkhousegallery.co.uk/

Local Drinks to Try
  • Ciders: Herefordshire is cider country—don’t miss trying brands like Westons or Dunkertons.

  • Ales and Beers: Local breweries include Ludlow Brewing Co., Wye Valley Brewery, and Hobsons Brewery.

  • Gin and Spirits: Chase Distillery in Herefordshire produces award-winning gins and vodkas.

The Sun Inn, Clun

A quintessential country pub with cozy interiors, local ales, and a welcoming vibe in one of the region's prettiest villages.

CSON restaurant in Ludlow
CSON restaurant in Ludlow

CSON restaurant Ludlow

The Ludlow, Hereford, and Shropshire areas are celebrated for their rich culinary heritage and traditional food and drink offerings. These regions are home to historic pubs, cozy tearooms, and family-run eateries that emphasize local, seasonal ingredients. In Ludlow, often referred to as the "food capital of the Marches," you’ll find a passion for artisan breads, cheeses, and locally brewed ales. Hereford, famous for its hard cider and Hereford beef, boasts welcoming pubs and cider houses that provide an authentic taste of the countryside. Across Shropshire, market towns and villages offer traditional fare, from hearty pies and stews to indulgent afternoon teas.

Adding to the charm, the Ludlow Food Festival, held annually in the historic Ludlow Castle, showcases regional producers and draws food enthusiasts from far and wide. Events like the Herefordshire Cider Tour and Shropshire’s agricultural fairs also celebrate the area’s gastronomic culture, making these regions a haven for food lovers seeking a taste of traditional British cuisine in picturesque settings.

This website cannot possibly list every pub or restaurant but can recommend just a few places to visit, and then link to more comprehensive listings.

CSONS - A Recommendation by Avril Broom and Arabella Salwey

CSONS is a family-run business led by four brothers—Reuben, Adam, Ben, and Josh—whose surname, Crouch, forms the "C" in their name. Their love for food stems from traveling the world with their father, where they explored diverse culinary traditions. Using locally sourced ingredients, they craft simple yet vibrant dishes that reflect the seasons and are packed with flavor. Breakfast options range from homemade American pancakes to their unique take on a full English breakfast. For lunch and dinner, you can choose between small or large plates, mixing and matching tapas-style or opting for a full three-course meal. According to Arabella, "it embraces my sustainability drive and serves delicious locally sourced meals in a magical setting. it is only really open for brunch or lunch but in the summer there are some lovely outside spots to eat as well as inside the café. It definitely falls within the “must book in advance” category but is well worth the visit."

CSON is located at:

The Green Cafe
Linney
Mill on the Green
Ludlow

The Sun Inn Leintwardine

Icon Coffee - A Recommendation by Arabella Salwey

"Icon Coffee in St Laurence's Church. The church itself is mind blowing and in its size alone should really be classified a cathedral. The Cathedral of the Marches is a more apt name. It dates back to the Norman times and it is a treasure trove of delights. In an imaginative diversification, a section of the church is now given over to Icon Coffee…. a delicious café with delicious coffee and cakes. I would say a must stop spot for any visitor to Ludlow."

The Sun Inn, Leintwardine - Recommendation from Louise Welsby, Shropshire Hills website

This is a pub like no other. It’s a Parlor pub, which means that you walk into the land lady’s living room and are served your beer there! The beer is brought in from the kitchen – No beer taps, no modern pub trappings at all. When the original landlady, Flossie, died at the age of 97 a few years ago, the pub was taken over by Gary, a neighbor and Nick, who owns the local Hobson’s Brewery. They’ve done a fantastic job of preserving the parlor, adding an eco friendly bar in the garden and providing a brilliant place to socialize for the village & visitors. The beer is great and there is no pretentious food – just pork pies from the village butcher, or fish & chips from the chippie (Fish and Chips restaurant) next door.

The Sun is located at:

Rosemary Lane, Leintwardine, Shropshire

Icon Coffee in St Lawrence's Church

The Boot Inn, Orleton

A very well-run community pub in a stunning 16th century buildin serving high quality pub fare and a large range of drinks including a selection of local real ales, ciders and craft gins

Good links to find Pubs and Restaurants

In Ludlow, including telephone numbers and maps

For the broader Shropshire area including Shrewsbury, Telford and Oswestry

For the broad Herefordshire area including Hereford, Hay on Wye, Kington and Leominster