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Detail Pages
The Church Inn, Ludlow
Ludlow
SY8 1AW
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Church Inn
Originally the Exchange Vaults Inn and grade II-listed, this pub dates back to the 18th century, so would appear not to be as old as propaganda would suggest. The current name was applied in 1979 due to the pub’s proximity to St. Laurence’s Church, where the ashes of A Shropshire Lad’s author – A. E. Housman – were scattered.
New name in frosted glass initials to the picture windows looks a biit cheap, but this is as mentioned – fireplace and some exposed unpainted rafters aside – a place which has been comprehensively modernised; with duck egg green and white colour scheme, some ‘bookshelf’ wallpaper, pale grey carpet (bare boarded to the small bar area) and restaurant-style furniture; the only item of heritage was a log burning stove in a fine fireplace. Trendy décor came courtesy of some pump clips in framed boxes, earthenware pots and pumpkins on display, mouldering away 13 days after Halloween. Entertainment took the form of an AOR soundtrack at a barely audible volume from the likes of Huey Lewis and the News, Toto and The J. Geils Band; what wasn’t so entertaining was the potty mouthed pair of customers, one giggling away like a kookaburra; otherwise the pub was near full on a Monday, customers were of mixed age and local, some genteel families, some in work clothes and almost all eating. One item of interest was the three urinals fashioned from repurposed beer kegs, with witty slogan above (see photo).
A cask choice amounted to Hobsons Bitter and Old Prickly, Butty Bach and Ludlow Gold at just £2.05 a half and very nice, served by a friendly and efficient waiter; a return visit found the Hobsons Best (just £2.00 a half) equally good.
This place is much more of a trendy restaurant than pub and a bit anodyne; the minority unwelcome customer vocabulary renders the place less than ideal for family dining visits.
On 1st December 2023
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
ROB Camra left this review about The Church Inn
A very good looking pub, but very foodie on entering. 6 handpumps serving 3 Ludlow beers and 3 guests. Over our 2 days in Ludlow we visited 3 times due to Ms CAMRA really liking the place. This ment that I tried 4 of the beers and all were in excellent nick. The first time we called on a Sunday afternoon it was packed with diners with only a couple of tables and a few leaning places for drinkers. On the Monday it was much better, although the staff were very friendly and efficient at all times. We'll definitely call in again next time, maybe midweek would be an idea.
On 2nd October 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Church Inn
A decent refurb of an olde worlde pub. On two floors this is a comfy enough place and the beer choice was good. 3 Ludlow beers on plus 3 not particularly good beers. A decent pub nonetheless.
On 11th May 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Church Inn
Billed as a 14th century inn but it's thoroughly modern inside. Half a dozen pulls with locales in very good nick. Largely furnished in restaurant style, and smelling as such, it nonetheless has a fair amount of bench seating and some pubby decor, including hop bines and Brewery posters. Dog friendly too. Not quite as hidden away up a back passage as some inferior pub guides would have you believe. The urinals are cut open kegs with the oft quoted drivel about cross contamination etc on a sign above, more inventively the header tank is a converted "pin" or 4.5 gallon cask. Another more interesting feature is the extra large scrabble board built into a table. Initial impressions weren't that good but the place grew on me as my pint progressed.
On 15th September 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Church Inn
Really enjoyed my visit to this pub, great selection of ales, friendly staff and customers. Seemed to do a good traditional pie, will have to catch it next time, as I'd already eaten. Definitely will return.
On 10th March 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about The Church Inn
Has the reputation as the best pub in Ludlow and i can see why , the central bar serves a couple of different drinking areas , theres a lounge upstairs as well , 8 handpulls serving a variety of local ales from Hobsons , Wye Valley , Three Tuns , Spinning Dog and Ludlow , 6 bitters plus a mild (Hobsons) and a stout (Wye Valley) , i had a Three Tuns 1642 and very good it was . Service was exellent and the locals chatty and the mad dog chewing the logs for the open fire added character . Well worth a visit
On 5th April 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Church Inn
This cosy town centre pub was historically known as the Cross Keyes, the current name dating from 1979 A history of the pub on the wall lists all the leaseholders since 1439 and reveals that the premises has been used as a barbers, surgeons, blacksmiths and a saddlers as well as a pub. It is currently run by the town’s former mayor and displays certificates for more awards than an Oscar ceremony. They refer not just to their ales but extend to their fruitcakes, pates and all kinds of obscure pub produce but it is the ales that will obviously appeal to most. 8 hand pumps with mainly local beers – I didn’t note them all but they included Ludlow Boiling Well, Salopian Shropshire Gold, Wye Valley Butty Bach, Hobson’s Mild and Wye Valley Stout. A full list hangs over the main bar if you don’t wish to traverse the bar poking in between the customers. The main door opens into a small reception area (the pub is also a small hotel) and the main bar wraps itself around to the sides and rear with traditional straight forward furnishings, pew seating and a few nick nacks. A collection of pump clips decorate the front ceiling beams and the bar is decorated with hops but on the whole the interior is quite restrained and unpretentious. The atmosphere was quite relaxed and whilst I didn’t get a chance to visit any other pubs in town, I can imagine that this would certainly be amongst the best.
On 14th December 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Church Inn
Some mixed reviews elsewhere, but the Church seemed an excellent place to stop for a pint on my quick visit to Ludlow. The attractive central bar offers a wide selection of real ales on handpump, including a good pint of the local Ludlow Gold. Busy, but the staff seemed to be performing well too.
On 6th October 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Richard Arwkrite left this review about The Church Inn
Situated at the rear of Ludlows old Butter Market this pub is a real tourist trap. That said the food and drink is good if pricey. The bar is to cramped to be wheelchair friendly. Always a good selection of ales.
On 28th September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 197 recommendations about 185 pubs]