Mr Wolfe’s review of The Duncombe Arms
A smart, rambling country pub on the Derbyshire border. Fires in every room and a cellar worth exploring.
no. 31 of William Wolfe’s 100 best pubs
The Duncombe Arms
Ellastone, Staffordshire
also in the midlands
More of the best pubs in the Midlands
C
Ludlow, Shropshire30. The Charlton ArmsOn Ludford Bridge, with the River Teme rushing below. Ludlow’s best pub, in England’s great food town.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.
Ludlow, Shropshire30. The Charlton ArmsOn Ludford Bridge, with the River Teme rushing below. Ludlow’s best pub, in England’s great food town.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.