The Duncombe Arms Ltd
In the rural village of Ellastone, The Duncombe Arms has gained a strong following since being…
The Duncombe Arms
“A beautifully renovated historic inn”
LOCATION
ELLASTONE, STAFFORDSHIRE
Recommended
by
Our View
It used to break Johnny and Laura Greenall's hearts to drive past the boarded-up, 1850s pub that had once been the hub of their village so, to cut a long story short, they bought it. The plan was to offer classic and modern British fine-dining in the warm, relaxed surroundings of a country pub, with rustic-chic decor, real fires and a spacious garden with views across the Dove Valley, and seamlessly blended classic and contemporary architecture. And that's what they’ve done, which is why it draws a convivial mix of loyal locals and visitors, to enjoy perhaps Marston’s Pedigree, Duncombe Ale, a local guest, or one of the 36 wines by the glass from among the 160 bins. A policy of mixing pub classics with more adventurous modern British dishes leads to corned beef brisket, and honey-glazed ham with poached eggs at lunchtime and, in the evening, roast cod loin, brown shrimp and tenderstem broccoli; beef bourguignon pie; and Jerusalem artichoke with Colston Basset Blue Stilton beignet. Finish with tonka bean parfait, salted caramel and coffee crumble; or warm rice pudding, Armagnac prunes and candied peel.
Features
Children
- Children welcome
- Children's portions
Facilities
- Free Wifi
- Parking available
- Coach parties accepted
- Garden
Prices and payment
- Main course from: £16
Opening times
- Open all year
Also in the area
About the area
Discover Staffordshire
It was Staffordshire that bore the brunt of the largest non-nuclear explosion of World War II, when a munitions dump at RAF Fauld went up in 1944. It was also the county’s regiment that once boasted within its ranks the most decorated NCO of World War I, in the person of William Coltman (1891-1974). Going back a little further, George Handel penned his world-famous masterpiece The Messiah on Staffordshire soil. During another chapter of Staffordshire history, the county was home to the first canals and the first factory in Britain, and it had front-row seats for the drama surrounding one of the most notorious murder trials of the 19th century, that of Doctor William Palmer.
In outline, Staffordshire looks not unlike the profile of a man giving Leicestershire a big kiss. The man’s forehead is arguably the best region for hillwalking, as it comprises a significant chunk of the Peak District. This area is characterised by lofty moors, deep dales and tremendous views of both. Further south are the six sprawling towns that make up Stoke-on-Trent, which historically have had such an impact on Staffordshire’s fortunes, not to mention its culture and countryside. This is pottery country, formerly at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution and the driving force behind a network of canals that still criss-cross the county.
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