What makes for a great gastropub? Well, if you’re looking at the best in the country (according to the Top 50 Gastropubs, as least). There’s a heavy focus on “premium quality, homemade food, focusing on the best of British produce”. But you don’t need to travel to London (where the number one spot, The Devonshire, is) to find that.
While the vast majority of the list, which is voted for by the Top 50s academy, is a little London- and South East-centric, there is room for one gastropub in the West Midlands. After an 18-month closure and £600,000 investment, Bromsgrove’s The Wildmoor Oak transformed into a high-quality independent gastropub in 2024.
Grab proper British pub grub by way of Michelin-starred experience—think seasonally-inspired plates, like Ham hock, leek and mushroom pie, mash; Lamb Barnsley chop, baby chantenays, crispy new potatoes and redcurrant jus; and Seabass, lobster bisque, savoy cabbage and crushed new potatoes.
But every gastropub must be more than just its food. Inside, discover a stylish, classic-looking boozer with William Morris-style décor, a spacious dining area and a cosy snug for drinking and socialising. Outside, there’s a beautiful garden set beside a stream and a stretch tent-covered terrace for outdoor dining.
What do the Top 50 Gastropubs say?
Finishing only 86th on the Top 50 Gastropubs list, there’s obviously a lot of other drinking holes to check out in the country, but nowhere else in the West Midlands does what The Wildmoor Oak does—combining “a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with a food offering built on quality, seasonality and care.”
Full of “rural character”, the kitchen is led by head chef Peter Jackson, formerly of Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley, whose “produce led approach balances confident technique with a clear understanding of what works best in a pub setting.” Expect menus that “mix modern, thoughtful dishes with well-judged classics.”
Desserts are a particular highlight of The Wildmoor Oak , “with the peanut butter parfait with salted caramel and chocolate ice cream a standout, alongside sticky toffee pudding and a selection of British cheeses.” This is a menu that “delivers both comfort and finesse”.
To learn more about the Wildmoor Oak, head here.