Ploughman’s lunch at The Butchers Arms, reviewed
Location –
The Butchers Arms,
Woolhope,
Hereford,
HR1 4RF.
Tel: 01432 860281
butchersarmswoolhope@gmail.com
Website – https://www.butchersarmswoolhope.co.uk/
Date of Visit – 23/10/2025
Notes on the visit:
Even if you do not like Ploughman’s lunch, just visit this pub. A rare gem: ancient, quirky, beautiful, rural, bliss. All the food served was excelent and generous.
The Food
7 – Pickled Onion. I was not initially keen on the presentation of what appeared to be un-promising onions. However, they were rather nice. The plastic tub was not appealing, but this might have been pragmatic rather than aesthetic.
9 – Pickle. Not a Ploughman’s pickle, but in no way was that an issue. Not entirely sure what it was – I should have asked – but it was amazing. I would go with a red onion chutney. It was sweet and delicious, but not cloying like some can be. The flavours were smart and well presented, with a sweetness and a hint of acidity. A perfect pickle for the occasion.
10 – Cheese & Ham:
NOTE – I wanted to award 20 here – read on!
Cheese – When the Ploughman’s lunch was placed on the table I did not know what was in store. I was on a cheese journey of not just quantity but quality. Two things I am very keen on!
Quantity. Now, I have expressed on occasion that the sole purpose of a Ploughman’s lunch is to have an impossibly large quantity of cheese. This box was ticked. 4 generous portions of cheese were found at this cheese fest.
Quality. 4 amazing cheeses, and mostly local. I am going all in here and will list them.
Brie. Cricket St. Thomas, Somerset. The finest Brie there is. Is Herefordshire in the West Country? It should be, with cider, apple orchards, golden butter, lovely cheeses and beautiful, friendly people – so yes, regional.
Worcester Hop. Inside a lovely creamy, flavoursome soft yet firm cheese, with an edible rind covered in hops. The rind is quite bitter, so you may want to avoid it; however pairs nicely with IPA / APA beers.
Shropshire blue. Orange and blue all in one, a visual treat. A nice, fairly firm but creamy texture and not overpowering in the “Shroom” department. One of the few blue cheeses I eat.
Worcester Gold. Now this was a revelation, a surprise, a journey. Soft and creamy, almost like a firm cheese spread in texture, but the flavour was so much more than this. It was bold. Strident. The lactic tones powering through are yet balanced with all the creamy butteriness, making it one of the best and interesting cheeses I have ever tried. I am now on a mission to buy some to try it standalone.
Ham – The ham is similar to the cheese. Again, so nice to have a pub lunch with awesome ham. Proper, old-fashioned ham. Moist, tender but firm, not squashed into a square or a circle, just as it always used to be. There was a generous portion too. This is why we should value and cherish pubs. Find one that does a decent ham or cheese sandwich and have lunch there once or twice a week. Most will do a cup of tea, maybe even a mug. You will have proper food and be better for it. Switch up from the sad selection of the supermarket or service station.
9 – Bread: Pain Rustique. Beautiful, tasty, perfect.
3.5 – Spread Butter, packet of catering supplier butter, very soft. Pity it wasn’t some of the excellent local butter; however, sometimes expediency takes precedence if there are few dishes on the menu that require butter portions.
5 – Presentation: Very good. It was all stacked onto one plate; some might have put it on a massive plank. I liked that it was as it was, as it allowed for the cheese surprise.
5 – Salad, etc
Salad:
One of the best I have had. Fresh and interesting, lots of non-leaf salad, and the dressing was just perfect. Really added to the experience. The Coleslaw was fresh and creamy, too. A divisive component for some, but I like it.
5 – Originality.
Top marks for originality purely because of the wide range of cheese Top marks too for local cheeses.
Food Total: 53.5
Beverages
10 – Drinks: A superb range of drinks. 3 real ales from Wye Valley Brewery (HBA, Butty Bach & Phoenix), 2 local ciders from Westons (Henry Westons Vintage, Stowford Press), the usual suspects, plus a great range of soft drinks.
Drinks Total: 10
The Venue
10 – Service: The service was welcoming, efficient and friendly. The landlady is a force of nature who really knows how to run a pub. If you are a publican and you are finding times hard, you would do worse than visit this pub to see how it should be done. The staff, too, were 100% in every way. Bravo!
10 – Atmosphere: If an old building crashed onto a chocolate box scene, mixed with a picture postcard and became a pub, this is it. Ancient oozes from the pores of this building. Beams and nooks, fireplaces, and historic features are combined with new additions, creating a space of intrigue and charm. The Pictures I have do not do it justice, so go and try it yourself.
5 – Location: In the middle of glorious Herefordshire, proper rural, yet only a 20-minute drive from Hereford. Top marks for rural charm and delight.
5 – Toilets: Very good.
Venue total: 30
Total Score: 93.5
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