Mr Wolfe’s review of The Royal Oak
- Within 90 minutes of London
One of England’s oldest inns, and now one of its best. Small plates, big talent, a star on the door.
no. 38 of William Wolfe’s 100 best pubs
The Royal Oak
Whatcote, Warwickshire
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.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.
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.