Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire

Winter is all about crisp days, frosty walks, and a fatter than fat stack of triple cooked chips (or pan-fried trout if you’re in a virtuous mood). Wash it down with a fabulous local ale or perfectly matched pinot and hey presto, you’re in gastropub heaven.



And so, with the timing perfection of an expertly cooked fillet steak, along comes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/list/1-50">The&nbsp;Estrella Damm</a>&nbsp;Top 100 Gastropub list of the UK&#8217;s finest gastropubs. Whilst we may not have made the Top Ten (this time) one Glos pub has cracked the very hallowed Top 50, with two more making the Top 100.



The top spot was snagged by&nbsp;<a href="https://theunrulypig.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unruly Pig</a>&nbsp;in Woodbridge Suffolk – the judges gushed about the welcoming setting, and well-crafted food full of wit and charisma. But right now we’re starving and only have eyes for Glos &amp; Worcs tasty trio. Drum roll and fork at the ready? Dig in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-34-the-woolpack-stroud">No. 34: <a href="https://www.thewoolpackslad.com/">The Woolpack</a>, Stroud</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="960" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-52.jpg" alt="the woolpack food" class="wp-image-56280" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-52.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-52-800x768.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-52-400x384.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What they say: The Woolpack has flown up the Gastropub list from last year&#8217;s 72 to 34 for 2024.&nbsp;The 300-year-old Woolpack Inn is an unspoilt gem with a cosy bar area and vine-covered terrace from where guests can enjoy spectacular views across the Cotswolds. Local sculptor Daniel Chadwick bought the pub, which is on the edge of Slad Valley in 1999, and has attracted the acclaim of critics using organic and heritage vegetables grown in the neighbouring valley at Lypiatt Park.



Think crab soup &amp; aioli, devilled kidneys, blood orange, radicchio, walnuts &amp; salted ricotta. &nbsp;Followed by lentils and goat’s curd&nbsp;or pork chop, rounding off with quince and almond pavlova or St Emilion au chocolat. The pub also boasts a premium bar snacks menu in the bar kitchen that includes delicacies such as sardines on toast, cheese and chutney toastie and pickled cockles.



The Woolpack was made famous by Laurie Lee the English poet and writer, celebrated for his internationally acclaimed childhood memoir, ‘Cider with Rosie’.&nbsp; He was a regular visitor to this local pub is buried in the Slad Churchyard and little known fact! &#8230;The Woolpack is the proud custodian of the Laurie Lee beer bottle collection and a cabinet dedicated to his works, as part of its tiny book shop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-59-the-fox-at-oddington-oddington">No. 59: <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/Pubs/UK/Gloucestershire/The-Fox-at-Oddington.html">The Fox at Oddington</a>, Oddington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="700" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-53.jpg" alt="fox at oddington" class="wp-image-56286" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-53.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-53-800x560.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/1-53-400x280.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What they say: The Fox is a village pub in Moreton-in-Marsh that&#8217;s at the heart of the community with crackling log fires and a welcoming bar specialising in local beers and cocktails. After a complete refurbishment in July 2022 The Fox opened to much fanfare as it joined the Daylesford Stays Collection. The menu celebrates exceptional ingredients from its sister farms at Daylesford Organic and the Wootton estate alongside seasonal produce from British growers and producers. Customers can enjoy small plates with a craft beer by the fire in the bar or be tempted by the menu in its relaxed Saddle Room.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-93-the-horse-amp-groom-inn-upper-oddington">No 93: <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/Pubs/UK/Gloucestershire/The-Horse-and-Groom-Inn.html">The Horse &amp; Groom Inn</a>, Upper Oddington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/2-15.jpg" alt="chef at horse and groom pub in glos" class="wp-image-56284" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/2-15.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/2-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/01/2-15-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What they say: This welcoming 16th Century Cotswolds Village Inn in Upper Oddington is less than two miles from the Historic market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. Owners Norman Liu and Warren Turner purchased the freehold of the pub, which is a favourite with locals and holidaymakers alike, in 2019.



The traditional pub has a large beer garden, seven en-suite bedrooms, and Henbrooks steak &amp; seafood restaurant. The menu at the Henbrooks Steak &amp; Seafood Grill brings together the best of British meat, fish and seafood. The owners have worked hard with its suppliers to ensure all produce is sustainable, with the fewest delivery miles possible. It works with a local butcher for its meat and its sustainable fish and seafood are sourced from local, reliable suppliers supporting British fishing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-be-a-gastro-tourist-and-visit-these-nearby-winners-too">Be a gastro-tourist and visit these nearby winners too&#8230;</h2>



OXON



<a href="https://thebullcharlbury.com/">The Bull</a>, Charlbury 



WILTS <a href="https://butcombe.com/the-methuen-arms-wiltshire/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0cmf9bfxgwMVWpRoCR1nlQ88EAAYASAAEgKpe_D_BwE">The Methuen Arms,</a>&nbsp;Corsham <a href="https://www.blackswandevizes.co.uk/">The Black Swan</a>,&nbsp;Devizes <a href="https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-castle-inn/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbKUkLjxgwMVIYCDBx0WAgNXEAAYASAAEgJNAPD_BwE">The Castle Inn</a>,&nbsp;Castle Combe



WARKS <a href="https://www.theroyaloakwhatcote.co.uk/">The Royal Oak</a>, Whatcote <a href="https://www.thecrosskenilworth.co.uk/">The Cross</a>, Kenilworth <a href="https://www.thehalfwayatkineton.com/">The Halfway at Kineton</a>, Kineton

Tuck in! Top 100 gastropubs revealed

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