The Crown & Thistle, The Barn & 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.

The Crown & Thistle is a historic, homely and delightfully eclectic venue for both intimate and informal weddings, blessings and civil ceremonies. Our two characterful function rooms, The Barn and the Minstrels Gallery can be hired separately or together.

We love creating a day that’s as individual as you are, which tells your story and embraces every guest.

Our wedding coordinators’ attention to detail is legendary, creating bespoke weddings and celebrations, and delivering flawlessly on the big day.

With a bespoke approach, our job is to ensure your day is truly unforgettable, from ‘I do’ to the bridal suite.