Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


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



<p>In the pretty hamlet of Armscote, three miles past Shipston-on-Stour, sits great country gastropub with five rooms&nbsp;<a href="https://fuzzyduckarmscote.com/">The Fuzzy Duck</a>. It’s built up a strong reputation locally since opening more than ten years ago and in that time has scooped plenty of awards including 2 AA rosettes and a listing in the coveted Michelin Guide.</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-131-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Fuzzy Duck" class="wp-image-58013" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-131-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-131-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-131-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-131.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The pub is owned by Adrian and Tania Slater, founders of soap company Baylis and Harding, so unsurprisingly you can find its products throughout (and who doesn’t want to choose from 10 different varieties of soap when you visit the loo?).&nbsp;</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-132-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Fuzzy Duck Baylis and Harding" class="wp-image-58014" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-132-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-132-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-132-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-132.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Next door is the ‘theatre cottage’ – once owned by the RSC and used as a retreat for playwrights and actors. Acting royalty Dame Judy Dench is one of the former cast members who used to perform recitals in the pub – and if it’s good enough for Judy, it’s good enough for us.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s got that lovely country gastropub vibe, with twinkling fairy lights, candles and views for days. In winter it really comes into its own with a real fire and plenty of little nooks and crannies filled with squishy chairs and oak tables. It&#8217;s a pub I visit pretty regularly, and the tables are always full with a mix of friends, families and couples. There was one large group who had a pretty secluded table at the back of the pub and were stopping overnight in one of the upstairs bedrooms. </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-133-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58015" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-133-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-133-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-133-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-133.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Decor is rustic with a healthy dose of country glam. Fresh flowers throughout, low beamed ceilings, leather-look chairs, moody wall lighting and flickering candles. We had a lovely table right next to the fire tucked away from the main part of the pub. In summer you might want to venture outside to the spacious enclosed garden with an orchard, centrally positioned gazebo, wooden benches and cushioned seating.</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-137-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Fuzzy Duck" class="wp-image-58019" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-137-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-137-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-137-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-137.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



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



<p>It wasn&#8217;t my first visit to The Fuzzy Duck and it&#8217;s one of those places I always recommend to people when they have relatives visiting they want to impress, for a special occasion or just guaranteed good food. </p>



<p>Staff are charming, attentive and knowledgeable, as always when it came to food and drinks. I usually have a glass of the Argentinian Malbec or Marlborough Sauv Blanc, but I haven&#8217;t tried the cocktails here before so went with the Hugo Spritz, and it was so good I had to order a second. Top tip, if you&#8217;re a cocktail lover then visit Tues to Fri between 5pm and 8pm for two for £20. </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-134-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Fuzzy Duck" class="wp-image-58016" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-134-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-134-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-134-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-134.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The first thing I&#8217;m going to say about the Fuzzy Duck is you need to start proceedings with the homemade bread. It changes regularly and is always a triumph. The night I visit it&#8217;s a honey and oat mini milk loaf, served warm with sun blushed tomato whipped butter. As always, it was absolutely delicious. </p>



<p>For starters we couldn&#8217;t make our minds up, so myself and Mr Muddy decided to share the Fuzzy Duck scotch egg, with a rich tomato and chorizo ketchup. As you&#8217;d expect it was fried to a perfect, crunchy exterior, with a runny yolk in the middle. We also went with the beetroot cured salmon, a lovely light option with pickled candied beets, charred cucumber, spiced mango purée and hazelnut dukkha.</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-139-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Fuzzy Duck scotch egg" class="wp-image-58020" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-139-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-139-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-139-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-139.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For mains I went with the market fish of the day &#8211; a fresh sea bream with crushed new potatoes, tender stem broccoli and a Cornish hand-picked crab and lemon butter. The butter had huge chunks of crab piled on top of the fish, it was absolutely delicious and I polished off the lot. Mr Muddy went with the pan-roasted lamb, served with creamy mash, confit tomatoes and a red wine jus which was equally as impressive. </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-136-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58018" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-136-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-136-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-136-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-136.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>In the interest of a fair review of course we had to have pud. They serve our favourite affogato here and we added on a shot of amaretto, though the Cotswolds Cream one is equally delicious (and super local!). Pud came with homemade vanilla ice cream, homemade honeycomb and a shot of espresso just ready to mix into one glorious messy puddle. We also shared the two cheese board, with huge chunks of Black Bomber and Oxford Blue with crackers and a fruit chutney. It paired beautifully with a glass of the Petit Guiraud dessert wine, which was smooth and not too sweet, the perfect end to the meal.</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-130-1000x667.jpg" alt="cheeseboard The Fuzzy Duck" class="wp-image-58012" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-130-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-130-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-130-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-130.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOG FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>Dog&#8230;.and horse friendly. Yes you can take your horse (or pony) along here and there&#8217;s carrots and water outside for them. Don&#8217;t think they&#8217;re welcome in the bar area though, unlike well-behaved pooches. There&#8217;s loads of scenic walks to take in around here too so if you&#8217;re here early enough then head out on one first. </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-141-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58022" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-141-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-141-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-141-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-141.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">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-143.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47413" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-143.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-143-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-143-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-143-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-143-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The village is also home to&nbsp;<a href="http://armscotemanor.co.uk/">Armscote Manor</a>, a 17<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Century manor house and celebrated garden, or If you fancy flying the nest there are dozens of beautiful, quaint Warwickshire and Cotswolds villages on your doorstep. They include Admington,&nbsp;<a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/warwickshire/ilmington/">Ilmington</a>, Larkstoke, Blackwell, Newbold-on-Stour, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh,&nbsp;Broadway, Stow-on-the-Wold and Chipping Campden.&nbsp;And if you fancy a muddy dog walk you can borrow a pair of Hunter wellies and follow one of the many trails curated by the staff.&nbsp;</p>



<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-142.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47414" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-142.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-142-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-142-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-142-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/12/Untitled-design-142-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Culture-vultures will enjoy Stratford-upon-Avon with five of Shakespeare’s family homes, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/">Royal Shakespeare Theatre</a>&nbsp;and boating on the river to explore. Nearby Shipston-on-Stour, a former working wool town, still retains much of its traditional charm and is home to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cotswoldsdistillery.com/tours?gclid=CjwKCAiAo9_QBRACEiwASknDwUtOfIIDtjT_ZmxplUiqHKONMVKlgfjOSPHOJRXVu8wqAmzeRaZV0RoC4xYQAvD_BwE">Cotwolds Distillery&nbsp;</a>where you can go on gin and whisky tasting tours.</p>



<p>There’s lots for nature-loving families to do –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.butterflyfarm.co.uk/attraction/index.php">Stratford Butterfly Farm</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://hattonworld.com/adventure-world/">Hatton Adventure World</a>&nbsp;nr Warwick,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.birdland.co.uk/">Birdland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/">Cotswold Wildlife Park&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/">Cotswolds Farm Park</a>, home of Countryfile presenter Adam Henson and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.batsarb.co.uk/">Batsford Abortorium</a>.&nbsp; Heritage fans will love&nbsp;<a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/">Warwick Castle</a>, English Heritage-run&nbsp;<a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/">Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Gardens</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ragley.co.uk/">Ragley Hall</a>&nbsp;and two nearby National Trust attractions&nbsp; –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote">Hidcote&nbsp;</a>gardens and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor-and-garden">Snowshill Manor&nbsp;</a>with its Arts and Crafts terraced garden.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>GOOD FOR:</strong> It’s the perfect place to treat yourself to a delicious but informal dinner with family and friends, or for date night. If you can then stop for the night and head off on a leisurely walk the next day.</p>



<p><strong>NOT FOR:&nbsp;</strong>Anyone expecting a bustling nightlife. This is a quiet rural village, a great country escape – good for switching off and enjoying some ‘r and r’, sipping vino in front of a log fire and country strolls in borrowed Hunter wellies. But do check out the rather splendid cocktail menu.</p>



<p><strong>THE DAMAGE:</strong>&nbsp;Fair, especially in such a sumptuous pub setting. Starters come in around the £9 &#8211; £15 mark, with mains averaging around £25. Desserts are about £10. </p>



<p><em>The Fuzzy Duck, Ilmington Road, Armscote, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 8DD,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fuzzyduckarmscote.com/">fuzzyduckarmscote</a>, Tel:&nbsp;01608 682 635.</em></p>


Review: The Fuzzy Duck, Armscote

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