Country Pubs Near Bristol
When you’re enjoying a day trip, or you fancy heading out for lunch, a country pub is a great option and there are some fantastic choices just outside of Bristol. In and around Bristol there are some brilliant options bound to leave you wanting more! Take a look at this list of country pubs we recommend you check out when you’re next in, or nearby, Bristol – there will be something to take your fancy.
The Pony & Trap
This is a remarkably fantastic country pub you will not want to miss. The Pony and Trap has been in business for two centuries, though it has seen most of its success since 2006, when brother and sister Josh and Holly Eggleton took over. The claim to fame of this outstanding pub is the Michelin Star, awarded to The Pony and Trap in 2011.
The Pony and Trap has been nationally recognised, and its reputation since then has been upheld, leaving many customers incredibly satisfied. Although the Pony and Trap is a great choice for the pub classics – a Sunday Dinner, burger and chips – it is best known for the more seasonal and varied dishes that accompany the Sunday roast on the menu. The pub grows plenty of their own produce, and all else is locally sourced. In 2015, they began with herbs, then extended to polytunnel and beds in 2016. The Millard Orchard, found within the pub gardens, was named after a local who visited Pony and Trap daily, showing a sincere sense of community. Now, the fruit, veg and salad are grown right in the pub garden, and goes straight to the kitchen. It doesn’t get much more local than that! The gardening also uses a ‘no dig’ method, minimising the harm to the soil and environments, therefore creating a more sustainable technique, and higher quality food.
Josh Eggleton, head chef, won the Gordon Ramsay College Scholar competition in 2003, before venturing out to the Bristol harbourside, where he worked as a chef for two years at The Olive Shed.
Josh’s sister, Holly Eggleton, is the general manager, assuming the role at just age 19. Holly has received the Publican Morning Advertiser’s Front of House Manager of the Year in 2014 – between the pair it’s no wonder the pub’s a success.
You can track Pony and Trap down to Chew Magna, a beautiful rural village, tucked into the countryside just 10 miles outside Bristol. Chew Magna is a relatively historic town, with plenty of medieval buildings. This dainty village has only one primary school, but four pubs – we like their style!
Although they’re currently closed due to recent events with Covid-19, The Pony and Trap is expected to open within late 2020, but for now, check out their takeout menu and get some casseroles, stews and lasagnes delivered to your door.
Find out more about The Pony and Trap at: https://www.theponyandtrap.co.uk/ or head on over to Moorledge Road, Newtown, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8TQ.
The Willy Wicket
To anyone who hasn’t visited The Willy Wicket, it is probably most memorable for its… unique name. But one visit and the fantastic choices will be what make you keep on coming back for more.
Whilst The Willy Wicket may sound like a random choice of name, it is actually a nod to the extensive history of the pub. Previously, the pub was ‘Wick Wick Farm’ in the Parish of Mangotsfield, until 1874 when the Parish of Downend was formed. Records dating back all the way to 1221 seem to show the farm being called ‘Wekwicha’, with ‘wic’ being the Old English word for ‘dairy farm’, and ‘Wicke’ being a surname of the period. So, this bizarre name simply means ‘Wick’s Dairy Farm’ – though I think we all agree that The Willy Wicket is a far catchier name.
A great selling point to visit The Willy Wicket over other country pubs near Bristol is that it can be found in Downend, which, as avid cricket fans may know, is the birthplace of W.G. Grace, born in 1848. This world-famous cricketer makes The Willy Wicket a necessary stop by for cricketers and fans alike.
The menu is, of course, the make or break of any pub, café or restaurant, and The Willy Wicket certainly does not disappoint. They have such a large menu, with so many options, that you’ll have to visit more than once to decide what you’ll have. Monday through Saturday you can expect a menu full of pub favourites, burgers, pizzas, gammon – the lot. But the real showstopper is the Sunday menu, with many pub grub staples, as on the Monday to Saturday menu, but with four different Sunday Roast options.
If you’re near to Bristol and fancy your Sunday dinner, you’d be daft not to check out The Willy Wicket. Look out for menu changes and additions of seasonal dishes.
For those of us on a day out, looking for a brill meal, with the dog in tow, no worries – The Willy Wicket is dog friendly, allowing your furry friend into the bar section of the pub; they can even have a drink and snack as you do.
Check out the website for more information at: https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/south-west/thewillywicketdownend, call at 0117 956 7308, or head on over to Badminton Road, Downend, Bristol, Gloucestershire, BS36 1DP.
Ring O’ Bells
Country pub, Ring O’ Bells lies in Compton Martin, a beautiful village in North Somerset. The town has a rich history, dating back through Roman invasions, and was even listed in the 1086 Doomsday Book. Ring O’ Bells has been standing for a while, though in 2012 it was bought by Miles and Luca Leonard and fixed it up to create the homely feel the pub holds today.
The inglenook fireplaces, piano and armchairs all create the classic country pub feel. Ring O’ Bell owners, Miles and Luca, have strong connections in the music industry, inviting performers to join the pub to perform live music. There’s a great buzz and an atmosphere you won’t want to miss out on.
Ring O’ Bells takes pride in sourcing local produce, buying vegetables from community gardens, trout from Chew valley lake, and making homemade bread. This attitude promotes a strong sense of community, especially in the small village of Compton Matin, and ensures fresh, sustainable ingredients are used. Using fresh ingredients of course leads to better quality food, but also a range of inspired seasonal dishes throughout the year.
A personal recommendation are the burgers, a pub classic with plenty of variation on the Ring O’ Bell menu. Similarly to The Willy Wicket, Ring O’ Bell also has a Sunday Menu with plenty of lunch time options, and of course, a Sunday roast.
If you’re not local and fancy a visit, Ring O’ Bell has two accommodation options too, The Chapel, and Batch Cottage, available to be booked through their website at: http://www.ringobellscomptonmartin.co.uk/
Whether you need some plans for a weekend away, or an after-lunch place to go, there are plenty of events put on at Ring O’ Bells, from providing information on local walking routes, to taking groups fishing, foraging, shooting and sailing. These are all great options if you fancy spending some time out of the city.
Find Ring O’ Bells at The Street, Compton Martin, Bristol, BS40 6JE. Or contact them on the phone at 01761 221 284, or via email at info@ringobellscomptonmartin.co.uk .
The Swan Inn
You can find this traditional British Pub and Inn by the Mendip Hills, a National Trust area: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The scenic surroundings make it a great stop for lunch if you’re coming back from or want to head out on a walk. The pub itself, however, dates back to the 17th century, and The Swan Inn is a Grade II listed building.
Being an inn, there are rooms available making The Swan Inn a perfect stay for nature lovers looking for a stop near Bristol. There are five boutique bedrooms, and an additional four dog-friendly rooms – because your four-legged friend will love the walking routes around Rowberrow too.
The Swan Inn uses seasonal, local produce to make the British pub classics you know and love. The award winning Butcombe Beer can be found here, perhaps you can enjoy it in the sun of the beer garden. Food is served all day, with a great breakfast menu with plenty of choices – whether you fancy a Full English Breakfast, eggs benedict or an all butter croissant, there’s bound to be something you’ll love. For a lunchtime meal, I personally recommend one of the flatbread pizzas, though fish and chips, burgers, and yet another spectacular Sunday lunch are served here.
The Swan Inn also has a loyalty club set up, saving you money on your next orders, so if you love your food, be sure to sign up and visit again, especially if you live locally.
There is plenty to see and do around The Swan Inn, whether you fancy cycling and exploring the countryside, the Mendips and Cheddar Gorge or are happy to sit and have a pint in the beer garden you won’t be short of things to do here – and don’t forget all the attractions just 15 miles away in Bristol.
You can hunt down The Swan Inn at Rowberrow, Wiscombe, Somerset, BS25 1QL, phone at 0193 485 2371 or visit their website at: https://butcombe.com/the-swan-inn-somerset/
The Anchor Pub
The Anchor Pub is a fantastic spot for lunch and is absolutely worth checking out. You can find The Anchor in Pill, just four miles outside of Bristol’s city centre, by the southern bank of the River Avon. In 2016 it saw new ownership, and the name ‘The Anchor’ was returned, the pub’s original title.
The Anchor’s welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect family friendly choice; whether you’re looking for a quick bite partway through the day, or a place to have lunch, it will make a great addition to your day. The Anchor has a range of our traditional pub favourites, from pizzas and burgers, to an excellent pudding menu. The Anchor features a large garden area, with outdoor seating, and two large areas for dining and drinking.
I love The Anchor Pub for a light bite, with their range of ‘nibble’ items on the menu, it is a great choice for a pit stop; a snack and a drink in the garden area is a great stop midway through the day, when you aren’t quite ready for your next meal.
Another great time to visit The Anchor Pub is when their evening events are on. On the first Thursday of each month, a pub quiz night is hosted, and an open mic night on the last Tuesday of each month. Relax, have a pint, enjoy a meal, and enjoy your entertainment.
The Anchor uses seasonal, fresh, locally sourced ingredients to make their dishes, and you can eat them in, or take away, if you’re on the move throughout a busy day.
Find the Anchor at 60 Ham Green, Pill, Bristol, BS20 0HB, call at 01275 371581, or visit their website at: https://www.theanchorhamgreen.com/.
Pill is just four miles away from the Bristol City Centre, so if you’re enjoying a day out in Bristol, or if you live locally, The Anchor is a fantastic choice to step out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a bite to eat.
Have a nice pint!
Country pubs are a fantastic option for a place to eat, either for a spontaneous weekend treat, or if you’re on a day out. Whether you want something to do, and somewhere to explore once you’ve eaten, or if you want to get straight back to the city after your meal, there are plenty of choices to grab a bite near Bristol. Enjoy the wholesome atmosphere, and the friendly spirits over a pint at a traditional British, country pub on your next visit to Bristol.
Top 40 Cheap Restaurants In Bristol
Experience some quality Bristol cuisine without spending a fortune with these cheap places to eat.