Howard Arms

from $140
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“Pretty and charming 400 year old stone-built inn overlooking the Stour Valley on the village green. Eight individually designed bedrooms offer a charming mix of contemporary comforts and traditional features. The bar and restaurant are convivial, laid back and not to be missed!”

Hotel review

Overlooking the Stour Valley, and located on unspoilt Ilmington's village green, this charming 400 year old stone-built inn has an easy-going ambiance and plenty of character. Recently renovated, it offers eight spacious, comfortable, invdividually designed rooms which effortlessly combine modern comforts with traditional features. The decor is elegant and stylish with an eclectic mix of objets d'art and antiques complemented by contemporary, light colour palettes. The pub and restaurant are the beating heart of the Howard Arms and are not just a place for residents to refuel. Locals drink merrily at the bar and come for bar snacks and the excellent food in the restaurant. The menu entails much locally sourced and seasonal produce used to create British classics, and a few spicier options too. The staff are superb; young, friendly, knowledgeable and full of initiative - they are a credit to the establishment. The Howard Arms is a great choice if you're looking for a weekend getaway amid pretty countryside, with plenty to do in the surrounding area from local walks to exploring National Trust properties and splendid gardens (Hidcote and Kiftsgate Manor are just up the hill) to visiting the RSC in Stratford. It's also great value and ideal if you're passing through (the M40 is just 15 minutes away) on your way north or south.

Hugh Graham-Watson
Hugh Graham-Watson Review published: 25/10/2024

Recommended for

  • Value chic

    • With rooms from as little as £115 per night including breakfast, the Howard Arms is excellent value.

  • Local exploring

    • Shakespeare’s Stratford is just 8 miles away, plus there's the whole of the Cotswolds to the South.

  • Great walks

    • There are plenty of great walks in the surrounding area, many you can access right from the pub.

  • Restaurant

    • The restaurant has been awarded one AA rosette and serves classic British cuisine.

  • Other Activities

    • Fishing, shooting, quad biking, horse riding - all can be locally arranged.

  • Families

    • Several of the rooms can take extra beds, if you've got the kids in tow.

  • Sights nearby

    • Stratford to the north and the whole of the Cotswolds to the South.

  • Child friendly

    • Z beds can be provided for children in several of the rooms

  • Historic

    • The pub is four hundred years old.

  • Full of character

  • Good wine list

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • Country Escape

  • Less £

  • Quiet

  • Lively

  • Free wifi

  • Charming

  • Traditional

  • Disabled access

  • Village

  • Inn

Facilities

  • Rooms

    8 rooms in this hotel

  • Restaurant

    The restaurant has been awarded one AA rosette and serves classic British cuisine.

  • Child friendly

    Z beds can be provided for children in several of the rooms

  • Good wine list

  • Sit-out Terrace

  • No pets

  • Cots available

  • Internet

  • Fireplace

  • Bar

  • Garden

  • Parking

  • Free wifi

  • Wifi

  • Disabled access

Activities

  • Great walks

    • There are plenty of great walks in the surrounding area, many you can access right from the pub.

  • Other Activities

    • Fishing, shooting, quad biking, horse riding - all can be locally arranged.

  • Sights nearby

    • Stratford to the north and the whole of the Cotswolds to the South.

Map & Location

See what they say

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Perfect position overlooking Ilmington’s peaceful village green. Excellent restaurant with award-winning chef. Newly renovated, with a warm, easy-going atmosphere, glowing with personality. Spoiling rooms and hearty breakfasts. What is there to do in the area? 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. Only 8 miles from Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, and built roughly the same time as King Lear was written. Also perfectly situated for exploring famous gardens and houses such as Hidcote Manor and Gardens, Batsford Arboretum, Snowshill Manor and Broadway Tower. What kind of breakfast do you offer? Scrumptious Full English Breakfast with locally sourced produce as well a range of other options such as smoked salmon & scrambled egg and poached haddock. Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Lunch and dinner available. There are a number of other local establishments such as the Bell in Alderminster, The Ebrington Arms in Ebrington, The Horse and Groom in Bourton on the Hill and many more. Which are your most popular room types, and why? An extensive refurbishment, has brought our rooms up to an unparalleled level of comfort, individuality and luxury, we offer a range of room types whether it be single, double, twin and even have a number of rooms for families, they all have everything that one could need whilst keep the traditional feel with the right level of modernness. What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? A large garden for the little ones to play in, weather depending! And four rooms which we are able to fit in additional beds for families. What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers The Howard Arms is the ideal for that weekend getaway to explore and indulge in its beautiful surroundings, the place you want to return to as many do! There really is no other like The Howard and it truly is a special place.

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