‘“It’s almost ‘fayre’ with a ‘y’, isn’t it?” said my friend over freshly baked bread accompanied by tangy aïoli, while we studied the menu over pints of bitter and a locally brewed milk stout (Dorothy Goodbody: delicious and nutritious), “and I love it. I can’t remember being so tempted.”‘ Daily Telegraph, October 2011
‘Run by renowned chef Stephen Bull this pub is hidden away in a small, rural village.The food is second to none but the prices are little more than regular pub food prices. The pub is a traditional, timber-framed Herefordshire building with low ceilings, beams and open fires. For the vertically unchallenged Stephen provides hard hats in the entrance! Although I’ve never seen a customer actually wearing one.’ Daily Telegraph, July 2011
‘My favourite Herefordshire pub is the Butchers Arms at Woolhope, a charming wood-frame building and near perfection with real ales, a fine wine list and delicious Hereford beef and poultry.’ Simon Gandolfi, The Guardian
‘We went to the Butchers Arms because it is run by Stephen Bull. Even by the ever-rising standards of pub food in rural Herefordshire, it was sublime. The Butchers Arms … deserves the attention of every national newspaper critic if they can just force their way west of Sloane Square.’ Brian Viner, The Independent
‘Stephen Bull is a genuine food hero. His latest place is a must-visit place if ever there was one. One of the architects of modern British cooking, he was one of London’s most successful and influential restaurateurs o f the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, he has kept a low profile running food-driven country pubs and the latest is a roadside inn in the heart of Herefordshire.’ Mark Taylor, Fork Magazine.
‘Chef Stephen Bull was one of the architects of the modern British food revolution in the 1980s, and he continues to draw foodies to The Butchers Arms, a short drive from Hereford.’ Alastair Sawday’s Pubs and Inns 2010
‘Complete with open fires and a garden stream, this half-timbered pub offers locally sourced food a level or two above a gastro pub, by restaurateur Stephen Bull’. Michelin in the Midlands: Top 10 Restaurants, The Guardian
‘Superb, excellent evenings. We’ve been to all of these so far’ – Niki Birch of Beauty at the Granary, Capler Lane, Fownhope, on the specialist food and wine evenings held regularly at the Butchers.
Comments from Little Acre Bed and Breakfast in nearby Much Marcle, www.littleacre.co.uk:
• Very scenic drive to get there. Lovely pub with good food and very friendly staff.
Good selection of beers, ciders and wine but also good choice of soft drinks. Elaine and Mark B
• Another great find, good service, lovely pub and honest, tasty food. Bob and Al A
• Proper nosh and excellent service at this ‘in the middle of nowhere’ pub. Beer local and must have. Mr G
• Yummy food, knowledgable and friendly staff. Nice setting. The slow roast lamb was perfect. Neil and Kate S
• Excellent food. Very special cuisine. Service also extremely good from very obliging staff. Mr & Mrs B
Bib Gourmand, Michelin Guide 2010 for ‘good food at moderate prices’
Alaistair Sawday’s Pubs and Inns of England and Wales 2010
AA Pub Guide 2010 2 rosettes
