"A horrid alcoholic explosion scatters all my good intentions like bits of limbs and clothes over the doorsteps and into the saloon bars of the tawdriest pubs"
Dylan Thomas
The best of Bradford on Avon pubs
|
The Castle Inn |
It has big old tables and odd chairs, and a pair of leather chairs in front of a fire and sofas in a cosy corner. The food is unpretentious and imaginitive, with a few old pub favourites but really good quality. This is the only place that myself and friends will drink beer, especially Barbary Castle. There is also an excellent wine list. Highly recommended. This is at the top of Mason's Lane at Mount Pleasant as you come into Bradford on Avon from Chippenham or Bath. For more information: http://www.flatcappers.co.uk/thecastle. |
.jpg)
|
The Dog and Fox A totally authentic local cider pub. If you want to meet the locals then this is the one to do it in. It's a 20 minute walk from Quince Cottage. Strong on atmosphere and great sunsets in the summer. The food is an unknown quantity, but I understand it wouldn't be the main reason for a visit, though a visit is recommended. To get here turn left off the Bath Road onto Ashley Road - you'll find it at the end. |
 |
|
The Dandy Lion Right in the centre of town, this is a well frequented good pub. There's an especially nice, cosy room at the back. It does food and drinks. |
 |
 |
The Bunch of Grapes A lovely 17th century former physicians's home. They are big on flickering candlelight, a blazing fire and on tasty pies, a very English dish. Worth visiting. Lovely on a winter's evening. It's just a little way up Silver Street on the left.
|
The best pubs around Bradford on Avon
|
The Cross Guns This is about a mile from Quince Cottage. You can either just walk down the canal path, catch the train, bike or go by canoe. The two latter can be hired from the the Lock Inn. It is about two miles by car. It is a dreamy setting at the bottom of a valley by the viaduct and river, with all the colourful barges. It has an interesting history on their website. It is a request stop on the train, which won't stop unless you have asked it to. |
|
|
The Inn
|
The Inn at Freshford is a lovely old pub parked near the Frome River and exceedingly green fields. Very charaterful and set in a stunning village. A fantastic pub to take the train to, grab a nice lunch, and then head out for a walk either around the village lanes or along the many footpaths and lanes in the area. It's about four miles away and you can reach it easily from Quince Cottage by train, car or bike. |
|
The New Inn I have passed this pub many a time and it looks inviting. Here is one of many similar accounts of it from Trip Adviser:  By A TripAdvisor Member - 28 May 2010A real gem. Set in the village, a hidden treasure that we were so lucky to find. Recently taken over with wonderful pub food, and amazing to see delights of fresh Cornish crab and lobster as well as local handmade sausages and fabulous ... You will find the New Inn at Lower Westwood, just outside Bradford on Avon off the Frome Road. It is walkable and bikeable and can be reached by car, though cyclists beware of the narrow road and fast cars. |
Pubs by car
|
|
|
The Fox at Broughton Gifford This is a great gastro pub with a big food focus, with raised beds and fruit trees in the garden and livestock as a food source. Very tastefully furnished. Unusual village, with good walking opportunities. Could bike to Broughton Gifford, which has a huge common and lots of individual, old houses around it. Most people might drive, the five or so miles there being a little far, but it's quite flat for biking. Click here for more information. |
|
The Mill at Rode Excellent eating in a gorgeous location, overlooking the river. This is about 20 minute drive down the Frome Road to Rode, which is sighnposted. I was treated to the most delicious birthday lunch with pinch champagne on the decking out by the river - totally spoilt! click here to see for yourself. |
|
|
The George at Norton St Philip |
An exquisite pub of such age and character that you can believe it is the oldest in the land. Apparently it has also served as a monastery and Judge Jefferies is said to have held court here. It is also where Benn (Timm Pigott-Smith) proposed to Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) in the James Ivory film 'Remains of the Day'. If you have never been do try and fit it in. It's about eight miles off. Take the Frome Road to the A36 and then take the exit for Norton St Philip. Click here for details. |
|
The Bell at Rode The same company who owns the Castle have recently done up the Bell at Rode. It's as good as it's sister pub. Rode is a few miles along the Frome Road. Click here to find out more.
|
|
|
The Seven Stars at Winsley |
When we went to eat at the Seven Stars it was not of the award winning level they have achieved. Nice setting and close to Bradford on Avon. Just drive up Bath Road and turn left down Winsley Road and the pub is a fairly prominent building in the village. |
Best Restaurants in Bradford on Avon (see Cafes)
|
The Fat Fowl
I have eaten here often and it's always been very good indeed. Judging by how packed it gets, their contemporary and imaginative dishes are highly thought of by others too. One of its great benefits is the light and the option of sitting al-fresco. They do an excellent line in tapas. Proprietors, Arlene and Mark encourage local artists by showing their paintings. They also support local art and community activities and offer courses in the rooms upstairs, creating a real hub at the heart of Bradford on Avon. |
You can't fail to see The Fat Fowl. It occupies a prime site at the
bottom of Market Street, also known as Knees Corner in reference to the
department store that was there in Victorian times. |
The Thai Barn
"This is the best Thai food I have ever eaten. Highly recommended."
The Thai Barn is an excellent restaurant along St Margarets Street, just five minutes from Quince Cottage. They host a Thai Festival each year too.
|
The Woolley Grange
Woolley Grange is just on the edge of Bradford on Avon on the road to Chippenham. |
I haven't eaten here but I've been and the place is a gem that the pictures on the site don't do justice to. It is a lovely Jacobean Manor House. It has an excellent reputation for its food and teas. Here's an extract from a review: "A proper dining room is the perhaps the choice for a chilly evening. Next stage is a Victorian conservatory and finally, in summer, the beautiful grounds surrounding the Manor." At £50+per head for dinner, it's a special occasion venue. |
|
The Swan Hotel The Swan Hotel is a place where the food is reliably good quality and can be enjoyed in elegant, relaxed informality |
|
|
Pizzeria dei Amici
Some say the Amici pizzas in Bradford on Avon are the best outside of Italy. Bradfordians feel lucky to have this very informal Italian in the centre of our town. I ate their last night. As usual it was delicious and there was a good atmosphere. It is just up on the right beyond the Bunch of Grapes. Watch the corner when crossing. Close to Bath Christmas Market |
|