The Howard Arms is a glorious Cotswold pub, restaurant and bed & breakfast. Peacefully overlooking the old chestnut tree on the green, it lies in the heart of the idyllic village of Ilmington. Inside, the fire crackles and the bar bustles with locals and visitors drinking from our carefully chosen selection of ales, beers and wine.
There are 8 spoiling bedrooms, full of comfort and character with a hearty breakfast included in the price. The atmosphere is warm and easy-going, and the staff are renowned for their friendliness and efficiency. Built during Shakespeare's time, if the bard were still around, you would find him with the locals in the Howard Arms.
There are 8 spoiling bedrooms, full of comfort and character with a hearty breakfast included in the price. The atmosphere is warm and easy-going, and the staff are renowned for their friendliness and efficiency. Built during Shakespeare's time, if the bard were still around, you would find him with the locals in the Howard Arms.
Services
On the timeless Village Green of Ilmington, nestled beneath the Cotswold Escarpment, lies The Howard Arms, a stunning, 400-year-old Cotswold-stone inn. While repainting we took down a huge black board. Look what we found! On the back, sad and faded, was this sign. We've restored it. Flowers Brewery was founded in 1831 by Edward Fordham Flower in Stratford-upon-Avon.
For the Howard Arms menu, head chef Gareth creates surprises alongside classic British favourites; Sunday roasts, homemade breads, locally sourced ingredients, game in season. Wait till you try one of Sean's "wicked" puddings. Before you order food or drinks please let us know of any allergies or intolerances and we will be happy to show you what ingredients are in each dish or drink.
Explore the Cotswolds, wander round Ilmington, see the Stratford sights then retire to the Howard Arms for a sumptuous meal. Choose to eat where the occasion suits; in the welcoming, elegant Restaurant; near the bustle of the Bar; around the warmth of the fire; in the intimate Snug or under the summer sky in the Garden.
As well as a place to eat and drink, the Howard Arms also has 8 rooms. All luxury. All different. All full of comfort and character. There are many places to stay but you'll be pushed to find a more spoiling Cotswolds bed & breakfast. A second enjoyable stay and looking forward to booking a third. A lovely place, beautiful village, food excellent, staff friendly and helpful, couldn't ask for more.
Popular with walkers and ramblers, Ilmington is the perfect starting point. In the centre of the village, St Mary the Virgin bell tower and church contains Thomson of Kilburn pews (remember to look for the carved mice), and an organ, if you play, worthy of Notre Dame in Paris. Also a Village Community shop and a tiny dairy in the same street as the church straight out of the Archers before the Archers started mimicking East Enders.
Reviews (14)
Jeffrey Moiser-Nagaur
Jan 06, 2022
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Andy Cross
Dec 31, 2021
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Absolutely stunning meal here last night. The Côte de boeuf for two was just amazing, a beautiful medium rare and so so tender. They brought us some free warm peppers to nibble on whilst we waited the 40 minutes for this fabulous dish. We shared two cores between four of us, and we struggled with the quantity, but managed to get through it! Some nice, reasonably priced Italian wine to go with it, and very attentive, friendly service. Highly recommended.
James Field
Dec 29, 2021
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Relaxed and friendly dining.
Don't come here if you're in a rush, but do come if you want to relax in a cosy Cotswold stone pub by a huge open fire.
Don't come here if you want a quick cheap lunch, but do come if you want excellent food with reasonable portion sizes.
Only reason for 4 stars is that we had a young child with us and got the impression that folks would have preferred that we didn't (not the staff, they were cool with that).
Don't come here if you're in a rush, but do come if you want to relax in a cosy Cotswold stone pub by a huge open fire.
Don't come here if you want a quick cheap lunch, but do come if you want excellent food with reasonable portion sizes.
Only reason for 4 stars is that we had a young child with us and got the impression that folks would have preferred that we didn't (not the staff, they were cool with that).
Mark Davies
Dec 25, 2021
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Angela Stanton
Dec 14, 2021
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Carol Gray
Dec 11, 2021
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Samantha Pinheiro
Dec 07, 2021
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Nicholas Wilkes
Nov 13, 2021
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I booked dinner for 8 adults, plus a 1year old on Sat 6 Nov. Two of my party are vegan so I asked in advance if a menu could be created for them, which they did. Every single dish which we had was fantastic & the vegan menu was a real hit. The variety of the menu is excellent & the quality of the food was outstanding. We will definitely be back
Geoff Harry
Aug 22, 2021
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We visited The Howard as part of a private party. Thanks to the perfect organisation and attitude of the whole staff, the occasion was a total success. Each part of the proceedings moved seamlessly from one to the other with no apparent effort. The staff were always on hand, friendly and helpful. Drinks and the food were served in a spacious marquee which led out into the large, tidy garden with comfortable seating around the well-spaced tables. The self-service meal was perfect for the occasion and an excellent quality.
This is clearly an enterprise that is totally on top of the game in every
This is clearly an enterprise that is totally on top of the game in every
Andrea Partridge
Aug 22, 2021
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Barry B.
Mar 18, 2018
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Qype User Mrfris
Jul 27, 2012
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What a charming little country boozer!
If you're in the Ilmington area and want somewhere to go for a lovely civilised meal then The Howard Arms is definitely a spot you should consider. The food's top notch, the service is attentive, and the pub's got a great vibe about it. Any weekend in the Cotswolds would be enhanced by a meal there. Pricewise it's on par with London classy pub grub thinking about £12-15 for a main which places it well about cheap & cheerful, but not up in the gastronautical leagues of some of the more conspicuously rarefied places either.
Worth mentioning
If you're in the Ilmington area and want somewhere to go for a lovely civilised meal then The Howard Arms is definitely a spot you should consider. The food's top notch, the service is attentive, and the pub's got a great vibe about it. Any weekend in the Cotswolds would be enhanced by a meal there. Pricewise it's on par with London classy pub grub thinking about £12-15 for a main which places it well about cheap & cheerful, but not up in the gastronautical leagues of some of the more conspicuously rarefied places either.
Worth mentioning
Qype User Scrumd
Jul 03, 2012
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This is the place to eat as far as I am concerned! The food was outstanding, the level of service was quite excellent and it was all set in a lovely, old traditional English pub environment within a beautiful village. Each course was delightfully presented and oh so tasty! The desserts were to die for! The prices were not as steep as you might expect for such a quality offering. I suggest that you would likely have to book if you weren't quite late showing up like us, though. It looked busy but certainly not cramped. During and after the meal the manager came to check on us and ask our opinions
Qype User Fatt
Feb 20, 2009
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We stayed here for my birthday. The staff regarded us with mild amusement (we are an odd looking pair) but the menu was first class. Beautifully cooked food, super wine and ale and a roaring log fire in a respectfully maintained pub atmosphere just this side of pretention. There were one or two locals having a drink which was nice (and reassuring). Not cheap but not highly inflated either. Their standards in the bedrooms were high. A lady who we took to be the landlady served us breakfast the next morning. The breakfast was excellentbut again we were eyed with great susspicion..Fortunately we have
