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The Garrick Inn, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-Upon-Avon
CV37 6AU
Pub Type
Old English Inns (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Garrick Inn
The Garrick claims to be the oldest pub in town and it looked pretty old to me. To the right of the entrance there’s a very small bar and a bit further up this long pub is a back bar. Beyond are several seating areas that felt more geared towards dining so I decided to go back to the small front bar that is L-shaped with high tables and old leaded windows that distort the view to the street outside. The wooden floor and minimal light adds to the olde worldie feel. The bar supports four handpumps that were drawing North Cotswold Tumbling Jack, GK Abbot and IPA and Shakespear Best, whatever that is. Carling was also available alongside some premium keg. The service was polite and I enjoyed listening to the locals discussing what makes a pub a pub. I liked it, but it would have been better without the rolling news on the TV.
On 6th November 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5268 recommendations about 5236 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Garrick Inn
A very fine black timbered building,these days owned by Greene King although exterior branding is non existant. Due to Covid rules,I was shown to the front right snug ,while further back in the building was full of diners.The front snug is square with a wooden floor,three high tables and chairs and a flatscreen on mute.Lots of old features and a fine wooden bar.I was just in for a beer,but if you want food a shortened corporate menu is produced.
The regular ales are GK IPA ,Abbott and a house beer called Garrick Shakesbeer (what a stupid touristy name,no doubt another very dull GK brew) while the single guest ale was Hanlons Stormstay ,a malty ale much like Abbott so why bother ?,NBSS 2.5.
I couldn't investigate properly and it's a tourist hot spot.There are also better pubs for ale in Stratford.
On 19th October 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Garrick Inn
Classic old Black and White timber pub, full of history and worth a look. Very small front bar with 1 handpump serving a beer from Prescott's brewery. More choice in the back room with 4 handpumps on. I tried the "house" Garrick's ale which was fine.
On 3rd November 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1661 recommendations about 1561 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Garrick Inn
Olde worlde timbered hostelrie in tourist central, with a very compact bar at the front and a slightly larger bar and various dining areas down the corridor further back. All very traditional, as you would expect, and has a reasonable claim to being the oldest in Stratford. As a Greene King house, the four real ales on offer were Old Hoppy Hen (£3.49) on the smaller counter plus IPA, Abbot and the 'house' Garricks Shakespeare on the larger one.
On 17th September 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Garrick Inn
An attractive looking timbered pub in the centre of town, it is apparently the oldest pub in Stratford, although I suspect it may not be the only one making that particular claim.
Internally, a corridor to the left has a small snug off of it at the front, and this was a cosy and atmospheric spot with a suitable “olde worlde” charm. Leaded windows looked out on to the street whilst the flooring was dark wooden boards and there were plenty of black wooden beams on the ceiling and further supporting timberwork set in to the walls. A small bar counter was in one corner as well as a small TV in another corner which seemed a little out of character, but fortunately this was not in use. Various old photos of the locale were on the walls. Further back at the rear of the pub it opened out in to a much larger area that was somewhat more contemporary in appearance with some exposed brickwork, but it was still very pleasant. A wood panelled restaurant looked to be quite elegant.
Beers on tap were predominantly from the Greene King stable with their Old Golden Hen, Abbott Ale and IPA. There was also their own Garrick Special Best Bitter, but this wasn’t to my taste to be honest. Cider choice was disappointing with just Aspall’s Suffolk. Overall, I thought the front bar of this pub was a great spot, but I feel obligated to deduct a point for the poor drink selection.
On 28th February 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1951 recommendations about 1864 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Garrick Inn
Loved this pub - full of interest and history.
Beers were all Greene King and avoided. Another pint of Euro Fizz for me.
Worth checking out.
Photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1TMvHsa
On 28th May 2016
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1345 recommendations about 1331 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Garrick Inn
This timber framed building dates from the 1400's and was trading as a pub from 1594. The pub was named the Garrick after the Shakespearean actor David Garrick. The pub consists of lots of open beams and flagstone floors. This is a GK pub so beer wise, not very exciting.
On 22nd June 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Garrick Inn
Fine old building, modernised slightly towards the back. Vary busy & touristy, they could do with more staff.
On 15th October 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Anonymous User left this review about The Garrick Inn
The best the oldest and most traditional pub in Stratford Upon Avon Town, me and my wife enjoyed the meals served, proper service a diet bottled coke bought to our table along with a fantastic presented Coffee to complement such. Dark old like a walk in time, the floors are stone the beams are original and you seem to get a spiritual feel with the past punters long gone in there seriously. The Staff are friendly, great Manager and staff always making sure everything is to the fantastic standard offered. The door is narrow and old if you want to experience good food beer and a great friendly atmosphere make tracks to this pub DC.........
On 7th January 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 0 recommendations about 0 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Garrick Inn
A fantastic looking terraced white and timber Greene King pub and eatery, with double facing gable.
The small entrance is in fact a corridor that leads you past the bar room on the right to the rear of the pub which is a lounge and dining area. Both are served by a central serving bar.. The bar had a TV, with the golf on, but i didn't go in, but it seemed busy enough. The lounge area is nearer the serving bar, with the dining further up the pub. The decor is dominated by the support and ceiling beams, that give the place such a classic look and, yes, it does claim to be startford's oldest. The walls are subtle green and white, with wood panel and some white painted wood panel... the whole pub has charm. There are some old photographs and of course Shakey pictures on the walls and a bust or two as ephemera. The service has been friendly on both the occasions i have visited and the clientele is mainly, from what i can tell, tourists. The music is mixed and at a decent level. I didn't eat so can't comment on the food.
Beer; tap stuff with GK IPA, Abbott, St Edmunds and a decent Old Spekky Hen on handpull
A really nice pub and definately worth a visit, it is just a shame, on a personal note, that they are Greene King, as i am not much of a fan of their beers - if you like GK, or are less fussy than me, i am sure you will like it very much.
On 2nd October 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]