The One Elm, Stratford-Upon-Avon

1. News & Reviews

Best restaurants in Stratford-upon-Avon

By Clare Finney

The One Elm Kid-friendly, casual dining

Recently refurbished by the (resolutely small and independent) pub group Peaches, The One Elm is that rare beast: a gastropub in a tourist town that has managed to cling onto both its community and its character. The general manager is a local lad with a passion for the people and produce of , and his regional pride shines through in his clientele and his menu.

Obvious favourites – pork pie and piccalilli; chicken and garlic butter; beer-battered fish and chips – are given a delicious lift by virtue of their ingredients being ethically and locally sourced. When you’ve a 28-day dry-aged beef as part of your roast dinner, or free-range egg and sausage in your scotch egg, no one’s complaining about lack of originality – especially when it comes from Warwickshire-based royal warrant holder Aubrey Allen. That said, The One Elm is still, refreshingly, a boozer at heart. The drinks list is short but well curated, with gin from the nearby Cotswolds and ales on tap from award-winning Purity Brewing Co and Church Farm Brewery; the walls may be a stylish sage and the lightshades wicker, but the firelit bar area remains resolutely public house. Mains from £11.75. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-restaurants-stratford-upon-avon

Best things to see and do on a weekend in Shakespeare's birthplace Stratford-upon- Avon – Melanie Hancill

“That evening, we had tickets to see Twelfth Night at the RSC, so had an early dinner at the One Elm, a pub with cosy booths and log fires. It’s far enough away from the main shopping streets not to be rowdy, but only a 10-minute walk to the theatre. https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/uk-ireland/shakespeare-tour-stratford-upon-avon-12481778

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Graham Young, Birmingham Post

“If only all pubs were this good, and this ambitious, the world would be a better place.”

Amanda Chalmers, Editor, The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

"We very much enjoyed our meals on Friday evening and thought the refurb was very tastefully done.

I was particularly impressed with the young manager, who came across as genuinely ambitious and passionate about the pub." http://www.stratford-herald.com/78753-traditional-pub-fare-done-well.html

Catherine Vonledebur, Warwickshire Editor, Muddy Stilettos

"There’s something for everyone here! It’s very much part of the community.... Good for: Laid-back, honest, down-to-earth high-quality pub food without hiked up tourist prices, and after-work specials including 2-for-1 cocktails on a Thursday and Sunday roasts!" https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/peachy-one-elm/

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Zoe Chamberlain, Lifestyle and Parenting Editor, Birmingham Post, Birmingham Mail and Sunday Mercury

The One Elm , a Peach Pub that’s cosy with roaring woodburning fires and beautifully decorated for Christmas....

We tucked into delicious Sunday roasts off the main menu set off by breaded Brie with chilli jam, Cheddar and ham croquettes and prawn cocktails to start. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their child-size portions of steak and fish and chips...

...This pub feels very sophisticated but relaxed and child-friendly at the same time – perfect for festive meals out with friends and kids... http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/magic-alley- christmas-experiences-stratford-13991225

Jo Brigdale, food blogger, Jo’s Kitchen

“We were very impressed with The One Elm and we all commented that we wish we lived closer to it as we would be in there all the time if we did. The One Elm is definitely top of our list for lunch when we next visit Stratford-Upon- Avon!” https://joskitchen.co.uk/the-one-elm-stratford-upon-avon-restaurant-review/

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Ann Evans, travel writer, B-C-ing-U!

“The One Elm is the second pub in the Peach Pub’s stable….. The pub proved to be a spacious, welcoming place where you instantly felt at home whether you’d stopped by for a drink or a three-course meal….

We found that the service was good, with friendly, helpful staff and everywhere was clean and comfortable….. It was definitely a meal to get stuck into – and finger licking good!

Please can we go again! http://b-c-ing-u.com/2018/04/16/dining-one-elm-pub-stratford-upon-avon/

Simon Stabler, Editor, Best of British Magazine

Simon enjoys Posh Fish and Chips at The One Elm, Stratford

A Grade II listed pub that takes its name from the tree that once marked the borough boundary nearby, Stratford-upon Avon’s The One Elm dates back to around 1835. Renamed The Recession in 1992 and later Bar Humbug, it thankfully returned to its original identity about five years ago.

The front bar was very busy when we arrived on a Friday evening, no doubt due to the range of real ales, many of which are from the town’s Purity Brewing Co but we were quickly taken through to our table in one of the dining areas at the back. As well as the regular menu, offering all sorts of gastronomic delights, there was a specials board from which I ordered

Posh Fish and Chips – comprising Beer Battered Haddock, Tempura King Prawns, and Chilli and Tomato Mussels with Fat Chips, Peas and Tartar Sauce – while my wife had Free-range Flat Iron Chicken with Skinny Chips. Although children’s portions are available for half the adult price, my two didn’t fancy anything off the menu, however all credit to our waitress, Jess, who was able to put together something more suitable for their tastes.

Using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, the food was very tasty indeed and a special mention must go to the haddock, which had a lovely thick and crispy batter.

The One Elm may only be a few yards away from William Shakespeare’s birthplace, but the pub’s surroundings and the good food we enjoyed are a world away from the usual tourist fare. 4

Vivien Long, author, Stratford

"Why do I love the One Elm?

Is it because the menu is innovative and interesting? Is it because the food is consistently in season, tasty and good value for money? Is it because there’s a wide range of well-kept beers and wines? Is it because it’s warm and comfortable? Is it because it feels like a genuine local whilst at the same time warmly welcoming visitors? Is it because staff are friendly, knowledgeable and efficient? Is it because excellent customer service appears to be unfailingly effortless? Is it because, as a singleton, it feels like a safe place to come to eat, drink and socialise?

Or is it because everyone at the One Elm has given me unswerving support and understanding as I wrote and launched my first novel and are now cheering me on as I plough my way towards completion of my second one?

I’m not sure – I just know that I love the One Elm!" https://www.vivienheim.com/

Jonathan Carter, Publisher, Birmingham Living

"Lively, relaxed, unpretentious and full of rustic charm, One Elm ticked a lot of boxes and the locals clearly love it too…. It felt like a home from home. A nod to the charming, happy staff too, who added to the warmth of the place… It made for a super Sunday.

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MEAT AND ONE VEG

Simon Carlo, food blogger

The menu at Stratford-upon-Avon’s The One Elm makes me recall the late and very great AA Gills words on The Wolseley, where he lays claim that the very best menu’s are designed by restauranteurs who know their clientele, not by the chefs in the kitchens. Whilst I don’t agree entirely with Gill – I firmly believe that the finest of dining should be an expression of the kitchen – I do see his point. Not all kitchens reach for the stars; some are more than content with reaching for the top shelf pans and focusing on feeding the paying, and it’s at these places the work of a chef is to cook, not curate. Within the grand white walls that home The One Elm the ambition is firmly rooted to the happy customer, one that enters hungry and leaves heavier in the stomach and lighter in the wallet.

On the day that we visit the place is full with locals, perhaps a perk of its location ten minutes walk from the tourist hotspots on the Avon river. It all makes for a rather lovely lunch, affordable, refined Gastropub grub. The One Elm knows exactly the kind of place it wants to be, and it’s absolutely nailed the execution. https://meatandoneveg.blog/?s=The+One+Elm

2. Awards & Accolades

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2019 – Hospitality Business of the Year - Finalist

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2018 - The One Elm - Hospitality Business of the Year - Winner

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2017 - Customer Care & Best Team Awards – Finalist

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2016 - Customer Care Award – Winner

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2015 - Customer Care Award – Winner

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2014 - Customer Care Award – Winner

Touch FM Pride of Stratford Awards 2013 - Customer Care Award – Winner 6

The Peach Pub Company, The One Elm's parent company, is recognised as being one of the best companies to work for in the hospitality industry, having been named:

 Best Employer in Pubs & Bars five times at The Caterer.com awards  Best Employer - 2016 Springboard Awards for Excellence  Large Casual Dining Employer of the Year - 2017 Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards  The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For 2017 - rated #45 with a Two Star accreditation – cited as excellent for a first entry  The Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For 2018 - rated #48

https://makinglifepeachy.com/awards-accolades/

3. Business Overview

The One Elm is a well-loved locals’ pub in an imposing Victorian building at the top of Guild Street. Though it’s just a couple of minutes from Shakespeare’s birthplace, the One Elm remains a proper local serving locally brewed ales and home-cooked seasonal food in a relaxed and friendly setting, rather than a Stratford tourist trap. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, its narrow frontage concealing a bustling bar, a casual but first-rate eatery and a lovely sheltered courtyard garden. Since being taken over sixteen years ago by Peach, the award-winning independent pub company which also has three other great pubs locally (The Rose & Crown in , The Almanack in and most recently The Star & Garter in Leamington Spa), The One Elm has earned itself a place on the town’s hospitality scene, building up a loyal following of regulars from Stratford as well as guests visiting Shakespeare country and all its diversions.

They enjoy the good food and drink on offer every day at the pub, the warm friendly service and the fact that The One Elm remains a ‘proper pub’ that’s well run and hosted by the manager who is there every day making sure guests feel right at home whenever they visit. He and his team also host a wealth of fun events and special occasions, support good local causes and the community the pub’s in, as well as offer a warm welcome to every new face. https://www.oneelmstratford.co.uk/

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