The 6 Best Pubs To Visit In Stow-On-The-Wold

Stow on the Wold has a great mix of both modern and traditional pubs, offering real ales, hearty English food and fantastic dining atmosphere. Whether you’re taking a short break, simply passing through or on holiday in Stow on the Wold, a trip to one of the many great pubs in the town is a must. Families, friends or a little table a’deux – there is something for everyone.

Here’s our guide to the best pubs in Stow-on-the-Wold:

1. The Porch House

1 Digbeth St, Stow-on-the-Wold

The Porch House has recently undergone a renovation, where traditional features have been revived, revealing flagstone flooring and ancient timbers. There are two parts to this pub; a more formal restaurant and a cosy pub, complete with low ceilings and a roaring fire in the winter. As for the food, expect non-pretentious, big, filling portions in the pub, with more adventurous offerings in the restaurant.

2. Queens Head

Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold

If you ask the locals for a good old traditional pub they’ll be sure to recommend The Queens Head. It’s so popular that if you want a meal at the weekend you’re best off reserving a table, as the locals tend to book them out. With a friendly service offering two local ales and homemade specials, it’s not hard to see why this is a favourite haunt in the town.

3. The Kings Arms

Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold

On the corner of the Square is The Kings Arms, a 500 year-old coaching inn just brimming with character. A relaxed atmosphere awaits you, with ancient beams and open fires that would have also welcomed travelling tradesman of the past. The pub offers a daily specials board, which includes light bites and sandwiches from 12pm to 6pm, as well as more hearty food, and don’t forget the popular Pie and Mash Night every Wednesday.

4. The White Hart

The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold

The Square is also home to The White Hart, a much more modern dining space but with an interesting history. Parts of the building date back to the 12th century and it was also used as a coaching inn in the 14th century. There are even two Tudor priest hiding holes upstairs. As for the food, expect locally sourced, seasonal and fresh meal choices throughout the day and plenty of places within the building to dine, from the bar, restaurant, hotel, or even a large al fresco dining area.

5. The Stow Lodge Hotel

The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold

The Square is a grand old building, set in its own expansive and beautifully tended gardens. The bar in the hotel is open to non-residents and is typical of what you would imagine an old timbered drinking place to be, hundreds of years ago. With its whitewashed walls, dark wooden furniture and flagstone floor, this traditional bar is happy to serve you anything from a couple of pints to a full three-course meal.

6. The Bell at Stow

Park St, Stow-on-the-Wold

Finally, the perfect pub for foodies, with resident chef Nick Rowberry at the helm, this is a more modern pub that is a hot favourite with the locals. The food takes centre stage at The Bell sourcing only seasonal and fresh ingredients to create daily specials boards, and an incredibly popular menu. This pub is at the heart of the community at Stow, and features the well-attended Champagne Happy Hour at 5pm on Fridays and showcases live music at the weekend.

So there you have it, our simple guide to the pubs of Stow. There are others, of course, and if you fancy getting a taxi you can easily pop to some of the surrounding villages, all within 5 miles where you have a wealth of alternatives. We’re blessed with a fine tradition of country pubs that really are worth making the effort to head into.

Image Credits: Bs0u10e01 – (CC BY-SA 4.0)