The Crown & Thistle, The Minstrels

With a history dating back to 1605, The Crown & Thistle on Bridge Street re-opened its doors in 2013, following a £1.8m restoration. This Grade II listed coaching inn comprises three individual buildings clustered around a cobbled courtyard, framed by 200-year-old wisteria. Having been sympathetically designed, many of the buildings’ original features, such as timber beams, open brickwork, and window frames that aren’t square, remain throughout the restaurant, extensive bar area, elegant function rooms and 18 boutique-style bedrooms.

Open all day from 8am, we serve a seasonal menu inspired by Mediterranean flavours. Within our open kitchen our chefs prepare dishes made using quality produce, traceable from farm to fork. Our meat, poultry and free-range eggs come from British farms, while our fish is responsible sourced and delivered daily.

Whether you’re tempted to try a Neapolitan pizza, freshly prepared by one of our trained pizzaiolos and cooked in our wood-fired oven, or one of our dishes cooked to order in our charcoal-fuelled Josper grill, you’ll find something to appeal to your taste and dietary requirements. For families, we offer a bespoke children’s menu with accompanying activity pack.

From our Rainforest Alliance certified coffee to our beer bought locally from Loose Cannon Brewery, our extensive and varied drinks menu can be enjoyed in our stylish dining room or our bar area, complete with fireplace and comfortable seating. Weather permitting, our cobbled courtyard provides an ideal setting for alfresco dining, while our historic function rooms offer privacy for events and gatherings or all kinds. Completing our stunning property are 18 en-suite bedrooms that blend the character of the coaching inn with the comforts of a luxury hotel.

With three stunning spaces to choose from, The Crown & Thistle offers an ideal setting for any event or occasion, whether you’re arranging a crucial boardroom meeting or planning the perfect wedding, arranging a family get-together or organising the office Christmas party.

For smaller, less formal events, The Minstrels Gallery seats 30 for a banquet or can accommodate 40 standing guests for a drinks reception. It is also suitable for boardroom meetings for up to 20 guests.