Quick info
About The Woolpack Inn
The Woolpack Inn is a pub on Slad Rd in Stroud, set in the Slad Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has operated as a public house for over 300 years, and Daniel Chadwick has owned it for the last 25 of them. The building is a small stone pub with a separate bar menu and dining room, so drinkers and diners each have their own space. Sundays bring a roast and a dedicated Sunday menu. A general manager and a head chef work alongside the owner to run the pub day to day. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention devilled kidneys, english snail salad, burger and sunday roast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention devilled kidneys, english snail salad, burger and sunday roast.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often praise the unconventional menu, with devilled kidneys and an English snail salad called the best of their kind by one reviewer, alongside a white crab salad with fennel and local cheese. A burger likened to a McDonald's burger with fresher ingredients wins over an American visitor, and the onglet and chips, mussels and Sunday roast also earn mentions. The stone building, valley setting and dog-friendly welcome recur, and staff are described as friendly and knowledgeable. Criticism centers on value: portions called minimal for the price, vegetables ordered separately, and only one vegetarian main, though the pumpkin stew was delicious. One reviewer found service slow and received a half pint of cider in a small wine glass. Another was kept from simply having sandwiches in the bar by a cancellation fee, and a third met unavailable Sunday items and awful smelling toilets. Several suggest reserving a table. One couple liked two old English desserts so much they ordered a third.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often praise the unconventional menu, with devilled kidneys and an English snail salad called the best of their kind by one reviewer, alongside a white crab salad with fennel and local cheese. A burger likened to a McDonald's burger with fresher ingredients wins over an American visitor, and the onglet and chips, mussels and Sunday roast also earn mentions. The stone building, valley setting and dog-friendly welcome recur, and staff are described as friendly and knowledgeable. Criticism centers on value: portions called minimal for the price, vegetables ordered separately, and only one vegetarian main, though the pumpkin stew was delicious. One reviewer found service slow and received a half pint of cider in a small wine glass. Another was kept from simply having sandwiches in the bar by a cancellation fee, and a third met unavailable Sunday items and awful smelling toilets. Several suggest reserving a table. One couple liked two old English desserts so much they ordered a third.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“The pub is a fantastic step back in time. The restaurant is a fancy show off bistro. Staff were very nice but better to get a sandwich and sit in the bar. Unfortunately the mad £20 cancellation fee stopped us from doing this and we had to wait 45 minutes for small plates of over complicated food to turn up.”
- Google user
“Lovely food and setting. Very charming pub and surrounding area. Portions quite minimal considering the price you pay. A shame about Sunday menu items not being available as we weren’t even dining very late into the day. Awful smelling bogs!”
- Google user
“Disappointing. Expensive for what is served. All veg are separately ordered. Very limited choice of both food and wine. The wine was mediocre and the half pint of cider came in a small wine glass - not the sort of measure one would hope for. When I asked for ice I received two tiny ice cubes brought in a scoop! Service slow. Wouldn't return”
- Google user
“Amazing food including an epic Sunday Roast. Tiny pub with great cosy vibes & really dog friendly.”
- Google user
“We were recommended the Woolpack by their sister restaurant, Juliet in Stroud, for whom I had already given a 5 star review. We were not disappointed and had a fabulous meal in a perfect, welcoming location. Firstly the pub itself. Beautiful, cosy and not spoilt by naff modernisation. It sits on the edge of a beautiful valley (opposite the churchyard where Laurie Lee is buried). The manager and staff were all lovely, friendly and knowledgeable. The food. Two dishes were the best of their kind I have ever eaten. The devilled kidneys, simple but perfect and the English snail salad, better than boring French, which are always the same. All other dishes we had were delicious and unconventional in a good way. For example the white crab salad with fennel and local cheese. The desserts were also different and delicious. There were at least three “old English” desserts on the menu. We ordered two, which were both so good we ordered a third. Try the Sussex Pond pudding for a taste sensation. We have booked again for lunch today. Can’t wait.”
Highlights
“The Woolpack Inn is a unique experience and a local treasure. Eat and drink real, local quality in an authentic atmosphere and stunning surroundings. The Woolpack is steeped in history and character; a public house for over 300 years. Set In the beautiful Slad Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Woolpack is one of the last, independent gems of a British country pub. Daniel Chadwick has owned his much-loved pub for 25 years, and is now working closely with general manager Henry Allsop and head chef Adam Glover.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
Show more amenities
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Free water refills
- Live music
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 3
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Crowd· 4
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safespace
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Parking· 4
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Location
Bars near The Woolpack Inn
- Vine Tree Inn4.73762.6 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
rear pub garden views, craft beer selection, lamb gyros and souvlaki
- The Old Fleece4.59343.2 miReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, vegetarian options, cask ale selection
- The Three Oaks4.11915.7 mi away£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday lunch, kids eat for £1, play area
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Woolpack InnReservations · Outdoor seating | 4.61,115 | — | £10–60 | devilled kidneys, english snail salad, burger |
| Vine Tree InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7376 | 2.6 mi | £20–30 | rear pub garden views, craft beer selection, lamb gyros and souvlaki |
| The Old FleeceReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5934 | 3.2 mi | — | sunday roast, vegetarian options, cask ale selection |
| The Three OaksReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.1191 | 5.7 mi away | £10–20 | sunday lunch, kids eat for £1, play area |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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