The beautiful village of Ashby St Ledgers, has got a wonderful pub, The Olde Coach House Inn. It is a particular favourite of mine, as it is a great place to finish a walk, with a well-earned cold beer and some satisfying food! You can also book a room, if you wish!

A Rich History – The Olde Coach House Inn – Ashby St Ledgers

The village of Ashby St Ledgers and surrounding countryside is stunning. The picturesque village is situated just five miles from Daventry and Long Buckby and seven from the Warwickshire town of Rugby. The village has been associated historically with the Gunpowder Plot, but it is now far more interesting for its fine – looking collection of thatched cottages and historic Manor House which was well known as the location for several meetings of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 and for the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who worked on the house for over 40 years in the early 20th century.

I recently visited The Olde Coach House Inn to enjoy an evening meal with my wife. The Olde Coach House Inn, was once called the Coach & Horses and at some point in its history was also a farmhouse, closed in 2021 and reopened after a major refurbishment in 2024, much to the delight of excited locals. It is now a fifteen -bedroom pub, which still retains many original features including flagstone floors, low oak beams and exposed brickwork and has a smart exclusive restaurant and private dining area. The pub also boasts a large beer garden, which is perfectly suited for private events & large gatherings, al fresco dining or for simply enjoying a cold beer, out in the sunshine!

The Olde Coach House Inn is everything a vibrant village pub should be with open log fires, a cosy traditional bar area, stunning courtyard spaces and plenty of customer parking. It is very encouraging to come across a village pub which is thriving within its local community during these very difficult times for the pub & hospitality sector. It is village pub with loads of character, where the community comes together, and visitors are made to feel very welcome.

The Olde Coach House Inn is part of Freespirit Pub Company, an award-winning collection of pubs and bars from across Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, whose focus is on creating unique & memorable drinking & dining experiences for guests. Each pub has its own personality and undoubtedly compliments the area it serves, but they also boast the same Freespirit ethos of serving fresh, local, seasonal produce.

General Manager Sylwia, photographed at The Castle at Edgehill, her previous post.

As my wife & I entered The Olde Coach House Inn, we were warmly welcomed by the General Manager, Sylwia, who has previously worked at several pubs within the freespirit family, The Castle at Edgehill, The Red Lion at Hellidon & The Sun Inn at Hook Norton. Sylwia has a wealth of experience within the hospitality sector and has always been popular with customers because of her bubbly energy and infectious laugh.

Sylwia is also an efficient, sociable & seasoned professional, nothing is too much trouble for her, which was really appreciated. All of the staff in the pub delivered a very high-quality service throughout our visit. Sylwia also took the time to engage with my wife and I in short bouts of genuine conversation & even laughed at some of my jokes, which was admirable! A touch of sincere pub hospitality, which was very welcoming.

The Olde Coach House Inn has already begun to build up a compelling reputation for the quality of its food. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Gil & his team are passionate about sourcing only the very best seasonal ingredients & produce, working closely with local farmers, growers & wholesalers to ensure they share the same visions for animal welfare & sustainability, then cooking them into enjoyable dishes. Their menus are always based on seasonal availability and understanding their supplier’s passions & interests.

The Olde Coach House is a very popular pub & restaurant with both locals & visitors from outside the village. Whilst enjoying a meal in the restaurant area, I noticed several people coming into the pub, not only to eat in the restaurant, but to sit and enjoy a quiet drink & a few snacks with friends, in the comfortable bar areas. It is obviously still very much a local for the village community, as well as a fine pub & restaurant with rooms. It is also a very popular pub for visitors with their canine friends! I saw several of our four-legged friends, leading their owners in from the village, into the pub! Man’s best friend, are always welcome at The Olde Coach House Inn!

In the low-ceilinged bar area, there was a well-stocked selection of craft ales & local beers and staff are also able to provide skilfully prepared cocktails. The wine list offered a wide range of fine international wines available by the glass or bottle. Whether you are looking for a suitable drink to pair with a meal or just relaxing next to the fireside or outside on the sunny terrace, there is something for everyone.

Starters:

Black Pudding Scotch Egg & Whiskey Hollandaise Sauce.

Scallops of the Day with Potato Bon Bons & mixed salad leaves.

Mains:

Coach House Pie of the Day: Home- made Chicken, Ham & Leek Pie, Creamed Potato, Seasonal Vegetables & Jus. I do love a hot home – made meat & vegetable pie with a small jug of steaming hot gravy.

Rolled Pork Belly, Potato Hash, Greens, Bacon & Cider Jus.

Desserts:

Affogato: Vanilla Ice Cream, Espresso Coffee & Biscotti Biscuit. An Italian dessert comprising a scoop of gelato vanilla ice cream, topped with hot espresso.

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, Italian Meringue & Raspberry Purée

Wine: The Boschendal Pavillion, Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, South Africa: A medium bodied wine with a satisfying weight on the palate. This wine compliments all meats and enhances their flavours perfectly. It has a lovely salmon colour & the taste includes notes of red fruits, with a juicy Shiraz core.

Beer: Adnams White Ghost: Suggestions of aromatic elderflower, bold citrus and gooseberry flavours, with hints of warming rye spice.

Frobishers Sicilian Lemonade: A sparkling dry and light drink, made from Sicilian lemon juice and a blend of botanical extracts.

All of the food & drink was excellent. I must admit to trying some of my wife’s meal and can vouch that all dishes were beautifully cooked and professionally presented to table.

For tasty food, quality ales & fine wines in a local friendly pub atmosphere, The Olde Coach House Inn is a smart choice. A great local village pub & restaurant! By providing such excellent quality food and drink combined with the warm, friendly hospitality, this classic village pub is sure to win many awards for its food and hospitality over the next couple of years.

Have you thought about visiting a new pub restaurant, for that special dining experience?

It certainly comes highly recommended from me!

coachhouse@freespiritpubs.co.uk

01788 227194

Main St, Ashby St Ledgers, Rugby CV23 8UN

Disclosure: My visit to The Olde Coach House Inn was courtesy of Freespirit Pubs & Mark Higgs

The views and comments expressed are as usual my own.

Photography credit: Most photographs were taken from the pubs own website, except for the food and exterior shot of the pub, which are mine.