Overview

This is a very nice ride through lovely open countryside and visiting a pleasant little Cotswold village, with lunch at a top rated inn. As you approach Ilmington (photo 1) there is that air about it that lets you know this is a pleasant village to live in, everywhere is nicely looked after, spring bulbs in full colour, and as expected of the highest village in the area of Warwickshire at some 800 feet it has a gentle upward slope as leaving the village (photo 2). The village name may have been Ylmandunes way back in the 10th century, before becoming Ellington, due to its ancient Elm trees in the old village, but sadly Elm disease killed all the trees, and you will not find any in the village today. The Norman church of St Mary the Virgin dates back to the late 12th century, and today the tower has eight bells, five dating back to 1641. The old Ilmington manor is under the care of Lord Howard of Corby, and it’s from this family line that the Howard inn is named. The stone here is more of a golden darker brown, beautiful in full sunshine (photo 3) and adding to the well kept greens around the village itself (photo 4) The Howard Arms inn stands on one side of the lovely village green (photo 5) and stands on the north side of the Cotswolds, and will appeal at all times of the year, full of character, quaint, and attractive both outside and in, and will delight anyone who enjoys historical places. Its car park is just beyond the Inn itself (photo 6) with plenty of parking spots (photo 7) and allows access to the gardens (photo 8). However, it is nice to walk around the green and view Howard Arms head on ( photo 9) before heading towards the front door which has a double set of pull push doors, but at least on the level (photo 10) You will be warmly welcomed at the bar (photo 11) and history tells us the brewery here was founded in 1831 by Edward Fordham Flower, who lived from 1805 until 1883 in Stratford apon Avon, and members of the family still live here in Ilmington to this day. As an interesting point, the original Stratford Theatre was named by the son of Edward Flower, Charles, in 1875. The pub and the dining room have recently been refurbished, and it’s attraction includes an appealing mix of old furniture, which certainly adds to its historical past (photo 12) and with a warm glow in the open fireplace, and polished flagstones, the 400 year old Inn of mellow Cotswold stone has a pleasant bar to enjoy lunch (photo 13) The lighting here is of note, designed by a local company, Lightmasters. Sadly, the Inn is let down as regards disabled people because you cannot make use of the restaurant due to high steps that must be climbed (photo 14) and as it is not a large restaurant, the booking in advance is a must. In its day the sign above the hall would have been interesting, and it has been renovated to its original state (photo 15) The Inn has a reputation of high class dining, and this appealed to us to book a table here, but as all modern day chefs seem to do, they undercook the dishes, the Lamb was rare, undercooked, and very expensive, and it just did not reach the standard of cooking that we personally like, and the fish was also undercooked, watery, typical of what we consider as poor chefs who will not cook the flesh as the government ask us to do, cook the flesh well. We will not dine here again, lesson learned. Mind you, the desert was a delight (photo 16) The toilets are down the steps and alongside the bar (photo 17) but just basic ladies and gents, with no disabled support, no grab rails or pull cords, small inside and will struggle to get a wheelchair inside (photo 18, If you fancy staying here and you are able bodied, then they do have 8 lovely bedrooms available, but bear in mind, it is not really a disabled hotel, so we could not recommend the hotel to you. So with mixed feelings, and certainly disappointed with the meal and it’s high cost, we departed along the green (photo 19) and headed for our final visit today, at the White Hart pub in NEWBOLD ON STOUR, which is our seventh review on our Easter Parade trip around the Cotswolds.

Transport & Parking

Delightful drive through open countryside, with parking right up alongside the Lovely Howard Inn.

Access

Entry to the Inn was alright, level enough, and if drinking or eating in the bar area, it would have been ok for wheelchair, BUT let down by high steps to get into the restaurant.

Toilets

None available.

Staff

Very helpful and willing, friendly enough as well

Photos