William Wolfe’s 100 best pubs in Britain
The best pubs in the Midlands
The 10 pubs in the Midlands that made Mr Wolfe’s hundred: fires in the grate, landlords who remember you, and food and wine worth the journey.
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Ludlow, Shropshire30. The Charlton ArmsOn Ludford Bridge, with the River Teme rushing below. Ludlow’s best pub, in England’s great food town.D
Ellastone, Staffordshire31. The Duncombe ArmsA smart, rambling country pub on the Derbyshire border. Fires in every room and a cellar worth exploring.H
Ilmington, Warwickshire32. The Howard ArmsA flagstoned Cotswold-edge inn on the village green. Comfortable, unhurried and very well run.M
Grindleford, Derbyshire33. The MaynardAbove the Derwent Valley, with a blazing fire, a sunny terrace and the Peak District from the door.N
Medbourne, Leicestershire34. The Nevill ArmsA stylish inn in one of the Welland Valley’s prettiest villages, with rooms facing the river.O
Clipsham, Rutland35. The Olive BranchThree farm cottages knocked into a pub a century ago. Unfailingly good for decades; England’s smallest county, its largest welcome.P
Hayfield, Derbyshire36. The Pack HorseA Peak District pub at the foot of Kinder Scout, with a kitchen that punches miles above its weight.R
Aymestrey, Herefordshire37. The RiversideA half-timbered inn on the River Lugg, cooking from its own garden. Herefordshire at its most beguiling.R
Whatcote, Warwickshire · within 90 minutes of London38. The Royal OakOne of England’s oldest inns, and now one of its best. Small plates, big talent, a star on the door.S
Witham on the Hill, Lincolnshire39. The Six BellsA stone village pub with a wood-fired oven and cooking of quiet confidence.
Ludlow, Shropshire30. The Charlton ArmsOn Ludford Bridge, with the River Teme rushing below. Ludlow’s best pub, in England’s great food town.D
Ellastone, Staffordshire31. The Duncombe ArmsA smart, rambling country pub on the Derbyshire border. Fires in every room and a cellar worth exploring.H
Ilmington, Warwickshire32. The Howard ArmsA flagstoned Cotswold-edge inn on the village green. Comfortable, unhurried and very well run.M
Grindleford, Derbyshire33. The MaynardAbove the Derwent Valley, with a blazing fire, a sunny terrace and the Peak District from the door.N
Medbourne, Leicestershire34. The Nevill ArmsA stylish inn in one of the Welland Valley’s prettiest villages, with rooms facing the river.O
Clipsham, Rutland35. The Olive BranchThree farm cottages knocked into a pub a century ago. Unfailingly good for decades; England’s smallest county, its largest welcome.P
Hayfield, Derbyshire36. The Pack HorseA Peak District pub at the foot of Kinder Scout, with a kitchen that punches miles above its weight.R
Aymestrey, Herefordshire37. The RiversideA half-timbered inn on the River Lugg, cooking from its own garden. Herefordshire at its most beguiling.R
Whatcote, Warwickshire · within 90 minutes of London38. The Royal OakOne of England’s oldest inns, and now one of its best. Small plates, big talent, a star on the door.S
Witham on the Hill, Lincolnshire39. The Six BellsA stone village pub with a wood-fired oven and cooking of quiet confidence.