Rose & Crown, Ludlow

A very attractive looking Tudor style timbered pub located in a courtyard just off the Market Square, it was quite busy when we visited mid-afternoon with many punters dining, and we had to perch on quite a small table. Internally it’s suitably “olde worlde” in style, although somehow wasn’t quite as cosy as I had expected, although it’s difficult to pin down exactly why. It’s divided in to a number of interconnected rooms with the bar counter off to the right. There’s plenty of old wooden beams on the ceiling, and a mixture of sanded wooden boards and quarry style tikling on the floor. Most of the walls were exposed stonework or brick, with a couple of small areas that had been plastered and painted a deep salmon colour. The front “Mouse Bar” was quite elegant with full height wood panelling on the walls, whilst elsewhere were old beer barrels for vertical drinking and a wood burning stove in an old brick fireplace. Beers on tap were all from Joules with their Citra Blonde, Pale and Slumbering Monk. A fourth pump for their 70/- appeared to have run out, whilst a fifth was unused. Ciders meanwhile were Aspall’s regular and Blush.

Official site of Rose & Crown - www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

Official site of Rose & Crown - www.joulesbrewery.co.uk

A large, rambling Joules pub, with multiple rooms, an inside courtyard and a further outside area to the rear. Very atmospheric once the light fades. Some great wood panelling and several doors leading to who knows where. Four Joules beers on the bar alongside a couple of guests which were also local. Both my pints were in good nick . Ludlow has several very good pubs and this is right up there with them.