Where could you find a charity that celebrates the asparagus season in spring, hosts vintage and classic car events during the summer, provides steak and ale pies in Autumn and welcomes you with warming log fires in winter? The answer lies in the small Cotswold village of Bretforton, Worcestershire in the heart of  England. The National Trust is a British institution dedicated to preserving our British heritage. The government has given it charitable status and it owns a multitude of stately homes and interesting buildings that would otherwise have been lost to the nation. The Trust is the proud owner of a black and white, half-timbered pub called The Fleece Inn, one of the oldest pubs in England. What is more, you can stay the night in a cosy bedroom under its part tiled, part thatched roof and eat a splendid full English breakfast in the morning.


The picturesque building was bequeathed in 1977 by the late Lola Taplin, quite a characterful lady, I hear. In Chaucer's day (around 1400) Miss Taplin's ancestor, a yeoman farmer called Byrd, built a medieval longhouse to house himself and all of his stock under one roof. In the mid 1800's one Henry Byrd Taplin, turning publican, decided that brewing beer in the back kitchen and storing the amber nectar in the animal byre was more lucrative than farming and opened his doors to the general public. The Fleece Inn was born and the rest is history. Over the years it has become known locally as "The Ark" offering a welcome haven to locals and visitors alike.


The present landlord, Nigel Smith, tells tales of owls and witches on the roof. Three white circles have been painted in front of the fire, a local custom, believed to prevent evil hags and their minions from flying down the chimney. Worn flagstones line the floor and a high backed, curved settle sits in front of an inglenook. Visitors should mind their heads on the low-beamed ceilings.


In February 2004, The Fleece Inn narrowly escaped destruction when its thatched roof caught fire from a spark from the chimney. Fifty fire engines and their crews put out the blaze but many of its ancient timbers suffered and the building was badly damaged.
Fortunately most of the antiques were rescued, including the pub's grandfather clock and its 300 year old pewter collection. The National Trust is known for its careful restoration projects and this was a major undertaking. The facilities here were not only restored but improved. The refurbished inn can now accommodate overnight guests in the "Master's Chamber". This en-suite room, in the oldest part of the building, has a fine picture window overlooking St. Leonard's, the village church. In the grounds a medieval thatched barn has been licensed for civil weddings and accommodates up to eighty people. This is also a great venue for a hog roast.


I have visited the Fleece Inn many times over the years (both before and after the fire). I love the hollyhocks that grow here in summer. I love the huge antique settle and I love the country food. This pub serves fresh, buttered asparagus, in season (May to June) and hosts the annual Vale of Evesham Asparagus Festival ending with an asparagus auction. Summer visitors can sit outside in the pleasant orchard gardens and sup real ale or local cider. If you are interested in witnessing some traditional dancing, the Fleece Inn supports its own Men's Morris and Ladies Clog Dancing teams who perform here frequently. In the Autumn there is dancing and music to bless the apple trees in the orchard, in the hope of an abundant harvest. In the spring you can breakfast here and watch the Morris dancers dance their first dance of the season with dawn celebrations. The inn is also a regular venue for Folk Nights (two or three evenings a week).The pub hosts Vintage and Classic car events in Summer.


Regina (Epinions reginafug) and I visited this inn twice when she was in England because she was so enticed by the smell of the cooking. All produce is local. Sadly, on our second visit, the coveted steak and ale pie had been replaced on the menu by pork and apple casserole. She did not get her first choice of dish but it was still very tasty.  The Fleece Inn now has a new website so that you can look at the menu in advance.

There is no car park but there is parking space in the village square right beside the pub.


The Fleece Inn
The Cross
Bretforton
Near Evesham
Worcestershire
Heart of England.
WR11 7JE

(tel) 01386 831173

Opening hours;
Mon - Thu
11am - 3pm
6pm - 11pm

Fri & Sat: 11am - 12am
Sun: 12pm - 10.30pm

Food Served:

Lunchtimes:
Monday - Saturday
12 noon - 2:30pm
Sunday
12 noon - 4pm

Evenings:
Monday - Sunday
6:30pm - 9pm
To visit the Fleece Inn  website;   http://www.thefleeceinn.co.uk/

For events  see ; http://www.thefleeceinn.co.uk/temps/events09.pdf

Thanks to Chris for creating this link and also to Regina for allowing me to use one of her photos of the Inn for this review.

Recommended: Yes

Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime