James, Author at The Punchbowl Inn

Posted by James July 23, 2020 Awards, News No Comments

Eat Out To Help Out: Commencing Monday 3rd August

We have signed up to the government scheme to help support restaurants, post-COVID.

This is our special deal which is partially government funded, to help reward you for venturing back out safely.

LUNCHTIMES Monday to Wednesday
AGA Carvery £8(50% discount) proposed £4 per head and for soft drinks purchased as well 50% will be deducted from the bill* (12noon-2pm) last booking 1.45pm)

EVENINGS Tuesday & Wednesday: 2 course AGA Carvery *from £10 (choose either starter or dessert) proposed £5 per head 50% discount and for soft drinks purchased as well 50% will be deducted from the bill* (5pm-8pm. Last booking 7.30pm)

This offer must work inline with government terms and conditions to qualify our business to redeem 50% back up to the maximum value £10 per person.

This offer does not operate any dish from our main menu only AGA Carvery meal as a main and does not include any alcoholic beverages.

Pre Bookings ONLY. BOOK HERE

Posted by James September 18, 2017 Awards, News No Comments

Thumbs up to 10,000 FACEBOOK Fans

The historic Punch Bowl Inn, in Ludlow Road, has received a massive 10,000 ‘likes’ from customers and visitors on Facebook.

Owners of the popular inn, which dates back 700 years, believe its success is down to several factor including the popular AGA carvery, sensibly-priced home-cooked food, a stunning setting and a refurbishment of restaurant and rooms.

The traditional pub has recently also become known as a favourite wedding venue, and – as of 2018 – will be licensed for civil ceremonies.

The Punch Bowl Inn was the UK’s first AGA carvery and has earned a string of awards including UK Venue of The Year by the prestigious Les Routier guide and a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor.

The inn, owned by the Giles family – who are collectively known as Nostalgia Inns and also own the popular Plough Inn, near Bewdley – offers picturesque gardens with ornamental lake, Japanese bridge and stunning views across the Shropshire hills and countryside.

Owner Adam Giles, comments: “This has been our best year yet and this is reflected in the the popularity of our social media channels. We feel very proud to have more than 10,000 people ‘liking’ our Facebook page.

“It is great to win industry awards but to be appreciated by our customers means more than anything.

“Our popularity seems to be down to a recipe of combining a traditional venue with a forward-thinking attitude. Our multi-award winning AGA carvery is more popular than ever, alongside our new ‘gastro menu’ which offers weekday lunchtime specials from just £6.95, including our sumptuous summer salads. All our ingredients are sourced locally, and prime cut meats provided on every service. We would like to thank all our Facebook Fans and growing Twitter fans. ”

Posted by James May 19, 2017 News No Comments

Summer of Shropshire specials

We were delighted to recently feature in the Express & Star features. Here is an extract.

As long, summer days beckon, what better way to appreciate the season than by eating alfresco in an idyllic country inn?

The historic Punch Bowl Inn, near the pretty market town of Bridgnorth, offers everything you could want from a country pub, a mere 30 minutes from bustling Wolverhampton.

Dating back 700 years, the award-winning inn combines a journey back in time – complete with character beams and inglenook fireplace – with modern, new facilities, and home-made food created with finest, local produce; all at a price that’s right.

On a summer’s day, the picturesque gardens bloom with colourful flowers, and offer the opportunity to appreciate views across their ornamental lake, Japanese bridge and stunning views of the Shropshire hills.
The traditional inn, which has recently undergone a complete refurbishment, serves up sensibly priced, home-made light bites, seasonal salads, summer fare and their now famous AGA-cooked carvery, in this perfectly tranquil setting. Little wonder that The Punch Bowl Inn was named UK Venue of The Year by the prestigious Les Routier guide.

The inn, owned by the Giles family – who are collectively known as Nostalgia Inns and also own the popular Plough Inn, near Bewdley – has a string of awards to its name and has earnt high praise from customers who travel from across the region to experience its traditional hospitality, service and menu.
Owner Adam Giles, comments: “This year is set to be the best yet for our customers. We are proud to offer the most up-to-date facilities in the region, our multi-award winning AGA carvery is more popular than ever, alongside our new ‘gastro menu’ which offers weekday lunchtime specials from just £6.95, including our sumptuous summer salads.

“All our ingredients are sourced locally, and prime cut meats provided on every service.” Customers can also benefit from two-course evening special, available from Tuesday to Thursday for only £9.95.

With such a stunning location, facilities and a large function room that seats up to 150 guests, The Punch Bowl Inn has become a favourite wedding venue; as of 2018, the inn will also be licensed for civil ceremonies. The icing on the cake for guests are the three new luxury suites located in the converted eaves of the original inn.

“This year our new wedding gardens have matured beautifully,” comments wedding co-ordinator Charlotte Anslow.
“The Japanese bridge, love swing and waterfall are all now installed, it really is a wonderful backdrop to the Shropshire Hills for wedding photos. We are so excited to welcome this year’s wedding guests, and already booking up for 2018.”

Despite the quiet country destination, The Punch Bowl Inn team know how to party and regularly host leading tribute acts.
Adam continues” “We all like a party too, our party nights and tribute acts always prove a smash hit.”

So whether you’re planning a wedding, event or a culinary country getaway, there’s something for everyone at The Punch Bowl Inn this summer.

View our Summer menus Here

Posted by James October 1, 2015 Weddings No Comments

Shropshire Wedding Celebration

Punch Bowl Country In and Wedding Gardens Shropshire — Nick Howard and Sarah-Jane Lowde enjoy a taste of The Punch Bowl Inn New Wedding Suite

Punch Bowl Country Inn & Wedding Gardens Shropshire — Punch Bowl Country Inn Wedding Lake & Gardens, Shropshire

Wannabe brides and grooms were treated to a day of pampering at the new wedding facilities that have been created at the award Winning Punch Bowl Country Inn & Wedding Gardens just outside Bridgnorth, which has just undergone extensive improvements to its wedding facilities with the creation of a new dual lake, ornamental bridge, gardens and patio – with new 7 meter patio doors created in Bridgnorth.

The lucky couples entered a competition run exclusively on the Punch Bowl Inn Facebook page which enjoys over 2500 fans – newly engaged couples entered the competition by stating why they would like their wedding at the new Punch Bowl Wedding venue. The owners

Paul Gough & Kate Tatton from Market Drayton pose on the Ornamental Bridge with Shropshire Hills backdrop

were overwhelmed with the response. Owner Adam Giles commented “We often run exclusive competitions on our Facebook page for our AGA carvery and our tribute nights so we thought we would try a wedding competition to help launch our new facilities, and we were overwhelmed with the response. Each couple was to receive a full wedding dress and suit fitting, make up make over on the day, photo shoot by a professional photographer to keep and wedding flowers. Over 3000 people shared and commented on the post and we had 24 couples enter from all over the region but we had to select only two, which was tough. Wedding co-ordinator Charlotte Anslow commented ” The couples we chose were delighted and today has been amazing – it was all quite emotional. The brides looks amazing and the ‘grooms’ looked like film stars. We photographed them by our new lake on on our wedding bridge, as well as our new patio that was only finished yesterday!”

Nick Howard & Sarah-Jane Lowde from Wolverhampton who were one of the winning couples commented “We had heard of the Punch Bowl and their new wedding facilities, but had never been, so when we saw the post on Facebook and the photos of the lake it looked stunning so we thought we would enter. we were amazed to win but then when we saw what they were offering for brides we couldn’t believe the facilities – we were so impressed we are seriously thinking of booking our wedding here in 2017 – wedding co-ordinator Charlotte and team were lovely today, we will certainly be back”

Kate Tatton with her partner Paul Gough from Market Drayton were also delighted “What an amazing day” commented Kate “I was amazed at how they had transformed the Punch Bowl Inn to such an amazing wedding venue – My friends had been and mentioned how great the food was but I never realised it was such a fabulous wedding venue – what a day – I felt like a princess!”

The new wedding suite and facilities have been a long time in the planning. Adam has invested over £150,000 on the upgrades which includes fully opening patio doors that have been specially created by The Real Bridgnorth Window Company “the most unique aspect of the punch bowl is the stunning views of the Shropshire countryside so we have now removed the 7 meters of wall in our function suite and installed these ‘Origin bi- fold doors’, which are the largest that the Bridgnorth company have ever created and complete our 150 seater wedding suite – we think it’s important to support local suppliers and businesses from our menus to our builders – our guests can’t believe the views – it’s the perfect backdrop to a Shropshire Wedding”

The facilities will be generating a further 15 local full and part time jobs in the coming months and will help local businesses who offer accommodation and wedding services. The facilities will be fully launched for weddings including exclusive use of the gardens in Spring 2016 – “it’s been over 10 years in the planning since we bought the Punch Bowl and at last we can boast the most up to date wedding facilities in the region – we would like to thank everyone for all there support today and the brigades and grooms for their patience”

Thank you to our patient and wonderful brides and their VERY patient partners: Kate Tatton and Paul Gough, and Nick Howard & Sarah-Jane Lowde, plus our supporters on this special wedding day:

Organisers & co-orindators, Wedding Connections, Merry Hill
Dresses: La couture Bridal – 28 Birmingham Road, Blakedown, NR Kidderminster, West minster DY10 3JN – 01562 700020
Photographer: David Hardwick 01384 821599 – www.davidnh.com
Suit Hire: Nicolas Smith – Brierley Hill, 01384 483012 – suithire@nicolassmith.net
Hair and Makeup – Vida Hair and Beauty – 870B Wolverhampton Road, Oldbury Birmingham B69 4RS – 0121 552 6777

Flowers & Table Settings by Catherine at Simply Flowers Lye Nr Stourbridge 01384 918 088

Save £1000 Off Your Wedding Day Booking. Details Here.

Posted by James September 5, 2015 News No Comments

Luxury Accommodation

EXCITING NEWS WE NOW HAVE TWO SUITES AND ONE ROOM

We have been busy reinstating our barns into luxury suites, they are finally finished, after three months of total renovations and rebuilding of parts of the premises.

These are boutique style rooms with heated flooring and power showers with all the extra additions you would expect in a five-star hotel

View our NEW Luxury Shropshire Accommodation details here

Posted by James June 15, 2015 Awards, News No Comments

Les Routier Venue Of The Year 2016 Award

Punch Bowl Inn Wins Venue of The year 2016– Awarded by the prestigious ‘Les Routier’ Guide.

Les Routiers Venue Of The Year Punch Bowl Inn

Punch Bowl Inn Presented with Prestigious National Award

Bridgnorth’s much loved Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn has this week been awarded the prestigious ‘Venue Of The year’ award by Les Routier Guides UK. Nationally recognised for its consistent quality customer services and quality cuisine in a prestigious national award. The annual Awards highlight establishments that consistently meet and exceed the fastidious membership standards. Awards are based around performance, customer feedback, reviews and recommendations.

A representative of Les Routier Tina Griffiths, Customer Service Executive (Picture with Owner Adam Giles) “The 2016 competition was fierce with extremely strong contenders for each category; but the judges believe this year’s winners have consistently demonstrated exceptional levels of service hospitality, quality of food throughout the year. We extend our warmest congratulation to all our worthy winners and commend them on being ‘best in their class’!

Continuing “Our establishments like Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn share a sense of individuality that sets them apart from global chains. Visitors can expect good cuisine, friendly staff and value for money. Our establishments are passionate about consistently maintaining excellent standards in all aspects of their business and customer service.”

Adam Giles, owner of Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn added “We wee delighted to hear we had won this prestigious award and to be recognised for our consistent quality and passion for our customers is a real honour – Our staff are delighted and it has really lifted their spirits into 2016. “

The Les Routiers brand is recognised worldwide. Established in Paris in 1934, it started as a guide for the best independent restaurants and places to stay for road users. By the 1960s, people in the know in France and visitors to the country started to seek out the familiar Les Routiers plaque; it signified that the establishment was well-managed, clean and hospitable, and offered good food and excellent service.

Les Routiers UK continues to highlight these establishments across the UK & Ireland for visitors who are looking for an independently-owned destination for a short break – or simply somewhere to eat, drink or stay.

“All of our establishments are vetted and inspected before being allowed into the guide and we would like to congratulate Adam and the team at Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn for their consistent quality and on-going hard work”

Punch Bowl Inn Owner Adam Giles Venue Of The Year presented by Tina Griffiths

Posted by James June 3, 2015 News No Comments

10th Year Anniversary AGA Offer

AGA Carvery Launch with Boycie & AGA CEO, William McGrath & Owner Adam Giles. Bridgnorth Journal.

This month sees the 10th anniversary year since Nostalgia Inns, owned by the Giles family, purchased Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn.

Since the purchase in 2005 they have invested in an on-going programme of complete refurbishment throughout, plus a number of initiatives including being the first AGA Carvery in the Uk as well as over £100,000 of new wedding facilities including a dual ornamental lake exclusively for wedding guests to launch for 2016 weddings. “It’s been a real roller-coaster of a ten years” comments owner and MD of Nostalgia Inns Adam Giles “when we purchased the pub in 2005 it was much loved by locals, but seriously in need of investment, so we have undertaken a complete top to toe refurbishment, replacing much of the structure of the building as well as on-going cosmetic improvements – being such a busy pub means it under-goes lots of wear and tear – so the ongoing project is crucial to maintain the high standards for our guests” he continued “we have certainly had our challenges with floods, fire and snow affecting trade, but every time we have pushed on and opened bigger and better – our customers are very loyal and travel from all over the country to experience our award winning hospitality, giving us constant positive feedback, backed up by our National Awards for customer Service, innovation and of course our real ale awards.”

Investments. With many pubs closing across the Uk the on-going investment of Nostalgia Inns means they are bucking the trend by growing year on year “you have to keep investing in a business like this” continues Adam “the next project we have undertaken is the purchase of the fields next door and the dual-lake we and ornamental gardens we have created for our wedding guests – its beginning to look fantastic now that the plants are maturing – then in July we will be opening up the side of our Ludlow Suite so guests can enjoy the spectacular views across the Shropshire Hills whilst attending our events. Our wedding guests will have exclusive access to the gardens for their guests and their photos on our ornamental Japanese style bridge – the veranda is being installed in July, we cant wait”

Wedding give-away – to celebrate their tenth anniversary Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn are offering wedding guests the opportunity to book their 2016 wedding and save £1000 off their exclusive garden use package. Further details on their website www.punchbowlinn.com

Anniversary AGA Carvery Offer – To celebrate the anniversary and the new Summer menus, diners are also rewarded by being invited to enjoy an award winning 3 course AGA carvery meal midweek evenings during June for just £10. ‘we have sold over 750,000 meals to happy customers since we opened in 2005, so we thought we would celebrate by giving something back and are offering a special limited deal of 3 courses for £10 to our regulars and their guests throughout June, and we will reward them with an AGA meal for a party of 10 at one of our Monthly tribute nights!!

Article featured in the Express and Star June 2015.

Download and print the below to enjoy your 3 course AGA Carvery meal in June! See terms.

Punch Bowl AGA Carvery Anniversary Montage

Posted by James February 16, 2015 News No Comments

AGA Carvery Anniversary 80,000 Meals Sold

This week saw the anniversary of the UK’s first official AGA Carvery – Created by Shropshire based restaurateur and publican Adam Giles MD of family run Nostalgia Inns.

Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn is located just outside Bridgnorth and was the first of its kind in the UK to create the AGA Carvery concept and launch it last February 2014, to much acclaim.

Since its launch Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn has announced it has served a staggering staggering 80,000 diners from it’s AGA Carvery who have enjoyed the unique flavours created by the slow cooking of the meats and the fresh vegetables – It has even now become a regular haunt for famous faces from TV, News and Sport, including Nick Owen of BBC Midlands today, BBC TV Actor ‘Boycie’ from the hit comedy series ‘Only Fools and Horses’ – “It is the best carvery I have ever had”, commented actor John Challis, who is also a Shropshire resident. Gareth Edwards the famed Welsh Rugby player is also set to make an appearance there shortly and is sure to be converted to the AGA Carvery.

‘Fresh from the hot plate to your plate’ – Diners travel from all over the UK and many have commented on the quality and tenderness of the meats, as well as the extra crispy potatoes and vegetables all cooked in the AGA cooker ‘The feedback has been amazing’, comments Adam Giles, creator of the AGA Carvery concept and MD of Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn owners Nostalgia Inns – “We always received very positive feedback from our diners, as well as awards but since the AGA was installed the feedback has been incredible, far beyond our wildest dreams – We were so impressed we even installed one in our sister pub, the Plough Inn, near Bewdley – the response at both sites has been amazing, as well as enquiries from our diners about buying an AGA cooker for their own homes, as they have been impressed how versatile our AGA Total Control is – we even give them a private demo if they enquire”. Adam has been awarded by guides including Les Routier and industry awards, as well as with the accreditation of becoming an ‘AGA Ambassador’ by the Telford based company and is helping drive awareness of the versatility of AGA in the UK

Wedding Investment – Never one to rest on his laurels, following last years investment in the new AGA and refurbishment of the entire pub, Adam has taken the AGA concept even further, he has since bought some land adjacent and has invested over £100,000 in the land and is now landscaping of the hillside for weddings, installing a stunning dual-lake, with Japanese style ornamental bridge and gardens for wedding guests – “We thought we would push the boat out a little further”, adds Adam “For 2016 our wedding guests will be able to enjoy the stunning location and beautiful views of the Shropshire hills beyond for exclusive use for themselves and their wedding guests – they will of course be able to arrange an AGA Carvery meal for their guests of up to 150 – we like to think it will be the perfect backdrop to weddings in the region”.

For more information and photographs of the new wedding project visit here

Posted by James September 26, 2014 Awards, News, Weddings No Comments

Wedding Fayre January 31st. Save £1000 Off Your 2016 Wedding

The Punchbowl Inn, one of Shropshire’s most sought after wedding venues and has been catering for many types of private & corporate functions for more than 50 years since the Ludlow Suite was first built, originally for Weddings.

Join us for our First Wedding fayre.
Sunday January 31st from 11-3pm. Stalls, demonstrations by “Wedding Connections”
All attendees receive a £5 AGA Carvery Voucher for your next visit. PLUS Save £1000 off Any Exclusive Use bookings received AND WIN £3000 Wedding! Ask for details.

Read all about our wedding packages here

Awards:

Best Wedding Venue Midlands 2016″ By on-line Wedding Planner.
Best Wedding Venue of The Year 2013/14 (Your On-line wedding planner)
Inn of the Year 2013/14 & 2015 (Les Routier Food guide)
Best Free House Pub of the year 2014 (Morning Advertiser. West Midlands & Wales)
Customer Service Pub of The Year 2011 (Publican awards. Also finalists 2013/14)
BII Licensee of the Year 2014

Punch-Bowl-Wedding-Venue-Shropshire-Dual-Lake-Views

Posted by James July 14, 2014 Awards, News No Comments

Nostalgia Inns Launch Second AGA site

Following the resounding success of a recent innovation created by MD Adam Giles of Worcestershire based Nostalgia Inns, who own the Plough at Far Forest, Near Bewdley, and their sister pub Ye Olde Punch Bowl inn, Near Bridgnorth, they have now launched the concept at The Plough Inn, Nr Bewdley.

UK’s AGA Carvery Ambassador – As official AGA Ambassador for the UK, MD Adam Giles created the concept and has established the AGA carvery as the only one in the Uk and following demand, has now installed a state of the art ‘Total Control’ AGA in the Plough “When we launched at the Punch Bowl no-one knew how popular it would be, as a first for the Uk, but since our launch in February we have been serving record customers at Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn with amazingly positive customer feedback and the increased quality of the juicy meats, flavours of the vegetables and wonderfully crispy potatoes – with many of our customers travelling from outside Shropshire, including from Worcestershire, we are delighted to be able to launch our second AGA Carvery at The Plough to keep up with demand.”

Owners of The Plough and joint Directors of Nostalgia Inns Louise and Mark Giles added “Our regulars had travelled to the Punch Bowl to try Adam’s AGA Carvery, and were asking when we could install one, so we have worked closely with Adam and his team following their success and are delighted to launch this weekend, which will be fantastic for Worcestershire diners.”
The Original AGA Carvery launch was supported by BBC TV Actor “Boycie”, {pictured above with Adam Giles} who was played by local actor John Challis in the hit TV series Only Fools And Horses, as well as the Shropshire based series The Green Green Grass and is also an AGA owner commented “Being an AGA owner myself I know how important it is to any household, including being the centre my own home where my wife cooks some wonderful meals. It is a wonderful concept and the AGA looks amazing, and the Carvery was the best I have tasted – I will certainly be visiting the Plough Inn next time I am passing.”
‘Fresh from the hot plate to your plate’ – Many diners off the AGA carvery have commented on the quality and tenderness of the meats, as well as the extra crispy potatoes and vegetables all cooked in the AGA ‘The feedback has been amazing’ added Adam ‘We always get very positive feedback, but since the AGA was installed the feedback has been incredible. This really is the next generation of Carvery in the UK”

Plough Inn AGA Launch by owners Mark & Louise Giles

1 2 →