Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p>Just five minutes drive from Shipston town centre you&#8217;ll find the idyllic village of Cherington, formerly home to a run down pub. Enter The Happy Wolf Company, which also own successful local eatery and boozers The Yew Tree and The Peacock. They&#8217;ve taken over The Cherington Arms, now known as <a href="https://www.thecherington.co.uk">The Cherington</a>, and given it a new lease of life. It opened earlier this year and is already a massive hit with locals and visitors to the Cotswolds. And I can see why&#8230;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-112-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cherington exterior" class="wp-image-57910" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-112-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-112-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-112-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-112.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>It&#8217;a a quintessential country pub, with real fires, cosy nooks and crannies, original brickwork walls and flagstone floors. Outside though is the real piece-de-resistance, where there&#8217;s a terrace and huge lawn lit up with fairy lights. The River Stour bubbles through the bottom of the garden where you can relax on one of the chairs and enjoy views for days across the Cotswolds. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-111-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cherington garden" class="wp-image-57909" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-111-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-111-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-111-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-111-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Myself and my friend shared a bottle of The Falcon Marlborough rose, which I&#8217;m going to say is up there with some of the nicest roses I&#8217;ve tasted, make sure you order if you go. It had beautiful light notes of raspberry and white pear, and is now my new go-to. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-114-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cherington" class="wp-image-57912" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-114-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-114-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-114-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-114.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>To start we both went with the tacos, two blue corn wraps absolutely brimming with sticky beef short rib, radish and pickle salad and a spicy sriracha vinaigrette. It was messy, oozy, slightly spicy and bursting with flavour, everything you need a good taco to be. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-113-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cherington taco" class="wp-image-57911" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-113-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-113-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-113-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-113.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For mains there was everything from a la carte options to burgers and steaks hot off the grill. I went for the harissa and sriracha flat iron chicken, which was an absolutely huge piece of chicken crisped to perfection. It came with a dressed salad and aerated garlic, lemon and thyme butter which went so well with the spices on the chicken. I did have some serious garlic breath afterwards, but was it worth it? A resounding yes. I had some thick cut chips on the side which definitely weren&#8217;t needed but who can turn down proper chunky pub chips? Not moi! My date for the night had the southern fried chicken burger, which was an absolute behemoth, brimming with bacon, chilli mayo and maple syrup. The portions aren&#8217;t small (no ones complaining about that) and there&#8217;s real attention paid to flavour, local ingredients and handmade &#8211; so yes, you can have it all! Including a doggy bag to take home your leftovers at the end of the night, which you&#8217;re absolutely right I did. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-115-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cherington" class="wp-image-57913" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-115-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-115-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-115-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-115.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pud was a light strawberry cheesecake, with the most wonderful elderflower set cream &#8211; kind of like an ice cream but better, if that&#8217;s possible. We didn&#8217;t manage to finish it but we had a good go!</p>



<p>What I love about the Cherington is the real focus on local and knowing your supplier. At the bottom of the menu there&#8217;s a list of where all the produce has come from, and it&#8217;s top of the range while being as local as possible. Meat from Barry the Butcher in Stratford, fish from Kingfisher in Birmingham and baked goodies from Marks in the Cotswolds. It&#8217;s a nice touch, and one echoed across all the Happy Wolf pubs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>One of the most welcoming pubs for pooches around. There were about five when I visited, including a newly-rescued greyhound and a trainee Guide Dog. There’s meals for your pooch too (and a bar brimming with free treats for Fido). The main thing they&#8217;ll love though is that big garden for zoomies!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-116-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Cherington dog" class="wp-image-57914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-116-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-116-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-116-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-116.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-213.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47548" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-213.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-213-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-213-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-213-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-213-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Deer at Charlecote Park</figcaption></figure>



<p>Apart from touring the North Cotswolds villages and towns, we recommend National Trust’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/upton-house-and-gardens">Upton House</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park">Charlecote Park</a>, the arts and crafts inspired garden at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote">Hidcote</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kiftsgate.co.uk/">Kiftsgate Court Gardens</a>, which celebrates three generations of female gardeners. Also worth mentioning is Warwickshire’s answer to Stonehenge – the Rollright Stones, a collection of neolithic monuments on the Oxon border. If you’re a crafty type check out <a href="https://themakersspace.co.uk/">The Makers Space</a>&nbsp;in Alcester&nbsp;where there’s always some lovely workshops.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/">The RSC</a>&nbsp;is just 15 minutes up the road and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/">Warwick Castle</a>&nbsp;is 25 minutes away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for? </strong>Dog lovers, families, date night, drinks with friends. It&#8217;s a chilled pub vibe serving up good food, you can&#8217;t go wrong.</p>



<p><strong>Not for? </strong>I&#8217;m struggling to see who this wouldn&#8217;t be good for. If you&#8217;re looking to stop in the town centre then there&#8217;s some other great places, but if you love a good view then it&#8217;s worth the extra drive. </p>



<p><strong>The damage? </strong>Really fair, there&#8217;s sharing boards which start from £12.50 and starters are around the £9 mark. Mains range from £15 to £30 for a ribeye steak. </p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://www.thecherington.co.uk">The Cherington</a>, Main Street, Cherington, Shipston on Stour, CV36 5HS. Tel: 01295 804098</em></strong></p>


Review: The Cherington, Shipston on Stour

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