Worcester is a beautiful and bustling historic city, but a big part of its charm is its proximity to so much greenery. Nestled into the heart of the wider Worcestershire countryside, the city is surrounded by a range of lovely little country pubs. If you’re looking for a country pub to meet friends in after a long day of sightseeing, shopping or countryside rambling, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best venues within a short walk or drive of the city centre.
The Bell Inn, Lower Broadheath
Situated in the picturesque village of Lower Broadheath, The Bell Inn is a lovely traditional country pub, surrounded by the Worcestershire countryside. With its warming Inglenook fire to keep you cosy on a winter’s day, and a large outdoor patio to soak in the sun in warmer seasons, it really is an all-year-round winner. This is a pub that takes Christmas seriously, and their impressive festive menu includes a range of choices, from a Homemade Nut Roast to Juniper Spiced Venison Fillets. With three courses for just £25, and beautiful decorations promised, it is a wonderful place to spend the holiday season. All year round, the Bell Inn hosts a series of food menus, catering to all dietary requirements. Its drink selection is equally impressive, and includes citrus pale ale ‘Blonde’, and Spiced Apple Thatchers, perfect for the festive season! The pub is a short drive from the city centre, but if you’re coming from further afield, the inn offers five luxury ensuite rooms to spend the night in. To book a room, or a table, head on over to The Bell Inn’s website.
The Mug House, Claines
A country pub in a churchyard is quite the unique selling point, and the seven-hundred-year-old Mug House certainly makes the most of its impressive history. Located in the grounds if Claines Church, on the consecrated ground within the graveyard walls, the Mug House has survived the Puritan closures of public ale houses, and dates back to the time of the Plantagenets and the House of Lancaster. Its name is said to be connected to the old time Communion plate, and the practice of sealing a deal over a ‘mug’ of ale, something its patrons can still experience today. The pub serves a range of Banks’ ale and a variety of ciders, with home cooked meals and sandwiches available on weekday lunchtimes and Saturdays. It is a lovely little country pub, untouched by the advances of modern times. With a gorgeous back room overlooking the Malvern Hills, and a walled garden adjoining the 1000 year old church, The Mug House is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
The Nightingale Inn, Spetchley
Heading over to Spetchley now for another classic country pub. From the early twentieth century, the Nightingale Inn was known as the Berkeley Knott, and before that, The Crown Inn. Drawing in much of its trade from cyclists coming through White Ladies Aston, the pub offered refreshments to locals and visitors alike. With its distinctive sloping red tile roofs and whitewash walls, The Nightingale offers all the homely features of a country pub, including a roaring fire. As well as an extensive and well-curated wine list, and a range of hand-pulled pints, the pub offers an impressive cocktail menu, including a French Martini, a Cuban Mai-Tai and a Summer Citrus Spritz. Delicious! The pub also has a cracking food menu and boasts a hearty Sunday roast, which sounds like the perfect way to wind down after a countryside stroll. They’re also dog-friendly, so bring your four-legged friend along too! You can book a table at The Nightingale Inn here.
The Crown Inn, Hallow
Just north of Worcester, in the beautiful village of Hallow, The Crown Inn is a gorgeous country pub dating back to the seventeenth century. In its fascinating history, it was used as a local court throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but is now a warm and welcoming traditional pub with a beautiful fireplace and wooden beams. The Crown offers an extensive food menu, with particularly varied gluten free options, and some fabulous vegan and vegetarian dishes. For meat-eaters, the slow-cooked Steak and Ale Pie is not to be missed, and the brunch menu is spectacular, with a range of hot and cold treats. The bar is well-stocked, with an ever-changing cast of craft pints, sourced from local breweries. From hot drinks to a hand-picked wine list and a series of spirits, the friendly bar staff are always on hand to help you pick out a drink to suit your tastes. To book a table at The Crown Inn, head to their website.
The Kings Arms, Ombersley
Moving across to the Wychavon district now, to the town of Ombersley, home to three gorgeous country pubs. The Crown and Sandys is perhaps the most popular pub in the area, and understandably so. With a stunning beer garden, and beautiful indoor furnishings, the pub is absolutely lovely, and has a great winter menu too. However, we’ve chosen to highlight some of the other hidden gems Ombersley has to offer, which perhaps get overlooked. The Kings Arms is one such pub. Dating back to the fifteenth century, this gorgeous timber-framed country pub is grade II listed, and has recently reopened under new management. Newly refurbished, and with a brand new menu, the pub is a lovely place to pass an evening, in a laid-back environment. Again, four-legged friends are welcome, and the pub caters to children, so it really is a spot for all the family. To book a table, give them a call.
The Cross Keys, Ombersley
The third pub in this little village, and equally as lovely as the other two on this list, the Cross Keys offers country dining at its best. Dating back to 1830, the sweet little pub offers a monthly quiz night, and all the draws of a traditional country pub, including the all-important fireplace. The Cross Keys won the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award in 2023, given to the venues that consistently receive great reviews and rank within the top 10% of all properties on the site, which is quite the achievement! With friendly staff and great food, including seasonal Christmas and New Years’ menus, the Cross Keys is a wonderful meeting place if you find yourself in the direction of Ombersley. To book a table, visit their website, here.
The Holt Fleet, Worcester
Just outside Ombersley, and only 4 miles from the city of Worcester, the Holt Fleet is a wonderful country pub that we couldn’t miss off this list. A former hotel, the pub was rebuilt in 1937, but dates back to the eighteenth century, when it was a popular stop for Victorian riverside cruises. It’s original popularity stems from tourists’ desire to take in the now famous Thomas Telford bridge, which was constructed in 1828. However, the family-owned pub has built a reputation of its own for providing excellent food, drinks and service. With a bar for relaxed dining, dog-friendly bistro areas, a large conservatory and patio, and heated riverside pods, this is a country pub taken to the next level. With stunning views, a large menu and a cocktail list, this is certainly one of the best pubs in the area. It is exceedingly popular, and it is worth booking a table to avoid disappointment.
This is a non-exhaustive list – Worcestershire has a huge number of delightful country pubs to choose from, but there are some great options on this list to get you going.