The Howard Arms

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#2 of 3 Restaurants in Ilmington$$ - $$$, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly

+44 1608 682226+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Mon

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

Tue

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

Wed

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

Thu

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

Fri

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

Sat

12:00 PM - 2:30 PM6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

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MICHELIN

What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

367 reviews

#2 of 3 Restaurants in Ilmington

Travelers' Choice 2024

MICHELIN

View more on MICHELIN Guide

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

“I ordered a burger (they had gluten free buns) but unfortunately I couldn’t h...”

“I had the scallops and then the burger, both courses were superb.”

Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups, Bar scene, Business meetings

“Charming pub but a miniature portion”

“A lovely pub in a lovely village”

Location and contact

Lower Green, Ilmington CV36 4LT England

+44 1608 682226

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MICHELIN Guide's Point of View

Built from golden stone quarried in the village itself, The Howard Arms is very much a part of the local community. They open at 8am for coffee and bre...

Read more on MICHELIN Guide

Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes

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Details

Manage this business?

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Table Service, Dog Friendly

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4.5

367 reviews

Excellent

219

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

InesCheshire

18 contributions

Charming venue with welcoming staff - truly a genuinely welcoming pub with stylish rooms

Feb 2020 • none

My husband and I stayed for a half term break and were entirely comfortable in our annexe bedroom , enjoying the space and style. It was a warm and welcoming bar serving visitors and locals alike in a lively bar with quieter restaurant tables beyond the bar. Food was freshly and promptly served both for supper and breakfast. We would like to return when we can make use of the garden and chase the chickens ( joking about chasing but real chickens)

Written March 10, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

452granto

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're delighted to hear you had great stay with us and enjoyed all aspects of hospitality during your stay. We will look forward to seeing you soon.. Regards,

Written March 13, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Smilernige

35 contributions

Meal with family

Mar 2022 • family

A very nice pub with great beer and food. We had a lovely meal the service was good and it had a friendly atmosphere in the eating area the food was better than we expected and the only downside was the price, we felt it was very expensive for a pub meal. The price we paid is what you would expect to pay for a Michelin stared restaurant in London.

Written March 28, 2022

william a

Anderton14 contributions

Cotswold visit

Sep 2022 • none

Customer Review September 2022. We Selected “The Howard Arms” in the lovely scenic village of Ilington, from the internet description as we wanted to stay at a well-maintained pub/Hotel that looked a cut above the rest. We booked the Howard Arms for Tuesday 13th September to Friday 17th September 2022. On our arrival we were warmly greeted by a lady at reception, our 3-day experience started from there, wow what a pleasure we were in for. We stayed in the “Oak Room, the bedroom and bath room was amazing with a bath and separate shower. The evening meals we had over the three days were really exceptional and of a very high standard, as was the three breakfasts we had, they were fresh, cooked to order, hot and delicious and on time. The whole experience at the Howard Arms was above exceptional, we can highly recommend this venue to any new visitors looking for comfort, quality and friendly helpful and knowledgeable staff. Ilington itself is a lovely village and still has that feeling attached to it and well worth a walk round. Driving to Cotswold’s highlights that are not far away and therefore easily accessible. All this added to our wonderful stay in the Cotswolds. Thankyou the Howard Arms for making our stay so memorable. Regards Bill and Cynthia Atherfold

Written September 25, 2022

Sonja N

London13 contributions

Bad service

Oct 2020 • couples

The food was nice but a bit overpriced, however the service was quite bad. First of all we were ignored on arrival, several minutes passed until someone greeted us. We waited half an hour for our order to be taken, the food arrived before the drinks (which we then had to ask for again), and we waited 15min for the bill. Not at any point did anyone apologize for the delays. Upon departing the bar man (purposely) said “cheers gents” even though we were there as a male/female couple. When I turned around the guy laughed and said “oops sorry”. I wouldn’t recommend and it put a bit of a downer on our evening.

Written October 24, 2020

452granto

Thank you for taking time and letting us know about your experience. We apologise for these issues not being handled in the right manner during your visit. Despite these difficult times we are trying to be as quick as possible to meet and greet our visitors at the door and also, look after tables at same time. It is not our aim to ignore or to be rude to our diners. We were busy on that evening looking after pub, restaurant and marquee hence our attention to detail slightly had slipped away. Please take our sincere apologies for not giving the service you expected. We will definitely do better in the future. Regards,

Written November 1, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TheCotswoldsWhizzy

Gloucestershire123 contributions

Huge disappointment!

Jun 2022 • none

We took 2 guests for Sunday lunch so did not want to make a fuss about the hugely disappointing meal. Firstly, gin and tonics were ordered and, at the same time, the waitress asked for our food order as they were busy. The drinks arrived and less then five minutes later the roast beef appeared!! No time to drink the G & T’s. We have wine with food, so that was very rushed. The beef was so tough even when we asked for steak knives and our guests battles on bravely, or wanting to appear ungracious! but it was far too difficult to cut for us, with a large sinew running through our slices, very clear to see. Sadly we won’t visit again for Sunday lunch and not at £20 per dish for something we couldn’t cut!

Written June 7, 2022

Bob R

1 contribution

Let down by a simple ham, eggs and chips

Sep 2021 • none

Four of us visited and three of the meals (pork cutlet, rissotto and sea bream) were fine but a simple dish of ham, egg and chips let the pub down. The ham was tasteless and the chips looked like frozen chips that had been cooked quite while before. They were hard and not good. Definitely not freshly cooked. A shame because the other meals were fine.

Written September 7, 2021

Clare C

3 contributions

Cornwall-Norfolk stop over

Jul 2022 • none

What a gem this is.... The restaurant was busy with lunches and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming yet we felt expected and our room was ready and perfect- spotless and very comfortable. Our evening meal was most enjoyable, with a wonderful selection on the menu. Breakfast was also excellent. All members of staff looked after our every need, what a delight. We will visit again, maybe not for a stop over but for a bit longer. Thank you.

Written July 4, 2022

Susie1943

Shipston on Stour6 contributions

Good food and great service

Oct 2021 • none

My family and I held a memorial party for my late husband last month and I can’t thank Pawel and his team enough for their excellent organisation and service. About 65 friends and family attended and so many of them have since commented on the excellent food and service we received. The marquee was warm, cosy and beautifully furnished. The food was plentiful and of extremely high quality (my compliments to the chef)., and Kat and her team looked after our every need in a discreet and efficient way. Pawel and his staff all helped us to make the evening a fitting tribute to my husband. Thank you Howard Arms.

Written November 9, 2021

elvisaaron

Stratford-upon-Avon48 contributions

What a fantastic meal 10/10

Oct 2021 • couples

We have been coming to The Howard Arms for the past 3 years and also had quite a few meals delivered during lockdown. Now that the kitchen is up and running again the food is absolutely fantastic. The menu this evening was particularly appetising. I had the slow cooked lamb shank shepherds pie with seasonal vegetables and my husband had the maple glazed pork cutlet. Both were faultless. Dessert consisted of a ginger infused chocolate pot for my husband and the raspberry bavarois for me. Again so tasty and fresh. Service was just the right speed and even a steak knife was produced for my husbands main course. All in all a lovely evening and one I would highly recommend.

Written October 2, 2021

Mavis M

1 contribution

Mother's Day Lunch

Mar 2022 • none

I've been visiting The Howard Arms for many years, I live locally. The food was disappointing to say the least. The roast beef was tough and fatty, and two mean slices served, this applied to the roast lamb, the roast pork was passable. Our plates were served with the vegetables on, how does the chef know how much and what vegetables we would like to choose from !!!! Sorry Howard Arms, you fell short of even good.

Written March 30, 2022

Martin H

Twickenham1 contribution

A Good Saturday Lunch

Mar 2022 • none

A good welcome from a young waitress, who showed us to our table along with the menu. The remainder of our group joined us and another waitress asked about drinks very friendly and polite. Excellent knowledge of beers available , another good point. Ordered our starters & main meal all of which were excellent. Recommend the Balata, hake and plaice. Burger was excellent (maybe could have a small salad garnish)? (Proper)Chips good too. Dessert of sticky ale , very light and delish. I had rice pud with rhubarb.... pudding could have been a little less firm, more milky and rhubarb could have been 'cubed'. Would travel there again at the drop of a hat. Found all the staff well mannered , helpful and cheerful. Excellent.

Written March 26, 2022

Bella M

Chichester322 contributions

Definitely not coming back

Jul 2023 • couples

Our host booked this pub for us and we were so looking forward to our meal which turned out to be a disappointment. The plaice was placed on a baked bean “bed” which tasted like Heinz. Couldn’t taste the fish at all. For a pub meal the price was horrendously expensive and not worth it even though the staff was friendly and helpful

Written July 16, 2023

julieron65

Chipping Campden19 contributions

Thursday pie night takeaway

Jun 2020 • none

We had visitors. Just had the most amazing takeaway. 4 steak and kidney pies. They were very hot, very tasty and ample portions, cooked fabulously. Hope you will carry on this service for a while as will definitely use you again also recommend you. Thankyou.

Written June 25, 2020

452granto

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. We are so pleased to hear that our pies went really well. We will continue our takeaway service throughout July so please give us a shout when you want another one. We will look forward to seeing you again soon. Best regards,

Written July 6, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Danial294

Shipston on Stour50 contributions

Mediocre at best

Jul 2021 • family

Visited after moving to the local area, reception very strange and food below standard. After a long wait it was clear that the food had been cooked for some time, possibly sat under heat light or re-heated. Couple of dry bland burgers and some mediocre fish and chips. It then took ages to get the bill which isn't what you want when you have 2 bored kids! Had to go in to pay in the end. On the plus side the garden is lovely and the local area is stunning, perfect place for a pint, but need to step up their food game.

Written July 3, 2021

Pawel S

Thank you for letting us know about your experience. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the surroundings and our garden. We are sorry to hear that our service didn’t live up to your standards. Since we re-opened in April, we’ve been busier than ever. We’re in the process of hiring extra staff to help us deliver excellent food and service all times of the day. We take your experience to heart and will be looking into various details to make it happen. There is always room for improvement. On another note I have to reassure you that our burgers are made from the scratch and cooked to order. We never reheat our food or keep it under a hot lamp. We may occasionally get some delays especially when we are busy but will inform the guests about extra wait. With burgers it takes approx, 25 mins to cook and 5mins to prepare and serve. Hence it feels like waiting forever. We’d greatly appreciate the opportunity to make things right and work toward earning back your business. Regards,

Written July 4, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

shoshana k

Stratford-upon-Avon19 contributions

Oh dear !

May 2022 • none

Oh dear - Oh dear !! This has gone up and down in standards again and again over the past 20 plus years and sadly it is really not worth a visit at present whatsoever ! Very pricey to start with so you expect good nosh ! My lemon sole had its head and tail hanging off both sides of the small plate dripping butter everywhere when placed before me . My husbands meal was not very good at all either - £27.50 for a lemon sole and pretty much for the same price for a Barnsley chop ( more fat than meat ) . So over £50 for two pretty poor main courses. The whole meal was really not good full stop . Again oh dear - it really isn't hard to prepare and present good pub food .

Written May 7, 2022

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