Inside the West Midlands village pub after its £250,000 transformation into a gastropub serving up incredible dishes

Take a look around The Plough Inn, Wollaston which has undergone a major £250,000 transformation and is serving up some incredible food.

Since opening its doors just a few short weeks ago, The Plough Inn has been warmly welcomed onto the social scene, with guests from the village and further afield coming in to enjoy the pub’s fantastic food and atmosphere. 

The Plough Inn has been completely transformed since being taken over by the new team, Bex Wilkins and Sarah Robinson, experienced hospitality hands who turned The Wildmoor Oak in nearby Bromsgrove from a shuttered pub into a thriving gastropub at the heart of the community, in under a year.

As with The Wildmoor Oak, The Plough has been given a complete refurbishment from the outside in, to put warmth and character back into the building whilst accentuating its many period features, and make it stand proud once again in Wollaston. 

An all-new menu of fresh, tasty food has been created by Wildmoor Oak head chef Peter Jackson, who previously cooked at Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley in Birmingham, and there is a short but well-chosen wine list and great quality cask ales and beers on tap.

As part of the refurbishment, The Plough’s handsome red brick façade has been repointed, the original sash windows, ornate pilasters and grand front doors repainted and antique gold lighting and signage added to make a bold statement.

Inside, the old, panelled walls have been picked out in rich teal, with feature walls of terracotta and sage green, nature inspired prints and classic leather button-backed seats and bar stools and glowing glass lighting making for a traditional look with a modern twist.

It’s the perfect place to pop in for a pint, enjoy Sunday lunch or meet friends for drinks and nibbles after work with the staff ready and waiting to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

Food highlights at The Plough in Wollaston

Freshly prepared food is served every day, with a choice of the best of British dishes made with quality seasonal produce sourced from ethical suppliers. 

Aubrey Allen beef from Leamington’s renowned butcher, free-range chicken and pork, Meadow Mill bread from a Worcestershire artisan bakery and seasonal fruit and veg are among the highlights.

The menu features classic pub catering for a light lunch over a toastie and fries or the sandwich of the day, a delicious Saturday night dinner or a cracking Sunday roast and more. There’s also a kids’ and gluten free menu and veggie options.

Right now you can choose from small plates like Meadow Mill garlic ciabatta, scampi and tartare sauce or house hummus with crispy chickpeas and toast which are perfect as a snack or to share; double up if you’re more hungry! 

Move onto mains of garlic and lemon flat iron chicken with crispy new potatoes and green beans; smash steak burger with cheese, pickles, French’s mustard, burger sauce and Koffman’s chips or sea bass with Bombay potatoes, spinach and turmeric yoghurt.

The team at the pub pledge to serve great fish and chips with peas and both curry and tartare sauces and a classic chicken, ham and leek pie with mash and peas.  

Leave room for pud and enjoy banoffee cheesecake or chocolate mousse with berry compote or one of the pub’s selection of ice creams. Look out for daily changing specials plus a new winter menu coming soon.

Drinks to enjoy at The Plough in Wollaston

A good choice of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks complements the food. Four rotating cask ales include beer from local breweries Holden’s and Bewdley and staples such as Wye Valley HPA, alongside premium draught Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo and Beavertown Gammaray. 

Quality wines by the glass and bottle are available with quaffable whites, rosés, reds and bubbles, as well as bottles that are just a bit different. 

Yerevan Kangun – Rkatsiteli from Armenia is a super easy drinking white with ripe pears and peaches that perfectly partners cheese and light meat dishes.

The beer garden at The Plough in Wollaston

The Plough has a lovely garden, with a new heated stretch tent with festoon lighting and bench seating on the grass for alfresco eating and drinking and welcomes four-legged friends into the bar and some of the dining areas, too.

What’s on at The Plough in Wollaston

With live music every last Friday of the month, a Christmas wine tasting and quiz plus delicious festive menus served from November 26 onwards, the pub’s ready to host any get-together, whether a Christmas work lunch, a brilliant Friday night with friends or a special evening party.

‘We’ve been welcomed with open arms’

“Since opening The Plough, we’ve been welcomed into Wollaston with open arms,” says Bex Wilkins. “It’s been lovely to meet so many locals and become their go-to pub.  We want to be the place they can trust, with a fun, easy-going atmosphere and friendly service as well as food and drink that’s always good.

“We’ve transformed this village pub into a really great independent local.  We’ve given the place a new lease of life, with a new look inside and out and a fantastic new menu. We’ve also used our experience in running good pubs – some fifty years’ experience between us – to make it somewhere you can put your trust in, whether you come for a quick drink, a midweek lunch or hold your party with us. And all with service with a smile.

“So come and see us soon and find out what the new-look Plough is all about.  We can’t wait to welcome you,” she says.

The Plough is open on Monday to Wednesday from 12pm to 10pm, on Thursday to Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and on Sunday from 12pm - 6pm. Good food is served on Monday to  Thursday from 12pm to 2.30pm and from 5pm to 8.30pm, on Friday from 12pm to 2.30pm and from 5pm to 9pm plus all day on Saturday (12pm to 9pm) and Sunday (12pm to 4pm).

To book a table, please call 01384 386106 or visit https://theploughinnwollaston.co.uk/book-a-table/