I recently read a fantastic post by Spruce Eats about the history of the British Sunday roast. According to the article “The Sunday Roast came to prominence during the reign of King Henry VII in 1485, and the Yeoman of the Guard–the royal bodyguard–have affectionately been known as ‘beefeaters’ since the 15th century because of their love of eating roast beef.” It goes on to say that “in 1871, William Kitchener, author of Apicius Redivivus or The Cook’s Oracle, recommended eating 3 kg (6lb) of meat each week as part of a healthy diet (he also recommended 2 kilos of bread and a pint of beer every day).”
These days we eat far less meat, and many of us have given it up for good. If like me, you love nothing more on a Sunday than to enjoy a delicious, hearty Sunday roast, then take a look at my round up listing 25 of the best Sunday lunch roasts to try in Worcestershire…
Bolero Bar & Kitchen, Worcester
All roasts are served with duck fat & dripping Maris Piper roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables, honey glazed carrots & parsnips.
Time: Available from 12 noon-5 pm
Cost: Main courses; £12.50-£18.25
Menu: www.bolerovenues.com
Book: 01905 22220
Eckington Manor, Pershore
The roasted Eckington Manor beef and loin of pork are a must! The award winning pedigree herds of Aberdeen Angus and Highland cattle; Lleyn sheep; and Gloucester Old Spot Pigs are reared on Eckington Manor’s own farm.
Time: Available 12:30 pm-2:30 pm
Cost: Two courses £25 / three courses £32
Menu: www.eckingtonmanor.co.uk
Book: Call 01386 751600
Feli’s Bar & Restaurant, Pershore
Feli’s Bar & Restaurant put on a Sunday lunch platter which includes: Pollo ripieno; chicken filled with a forcemeat stuffing, agnello & maiale arrosto; roasted lamb chump and pork loin of pork infused with herbs, wine jus, seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding (subject to availability; please mention when booking to avoid disappointment).
Time: Available 12 noon-2 pm
Cost: £13.50 per person
Menu: www.felisrestaurant.com
Book: Call 01905 840647
Globe Modern Bistro, Worcester
The full lunch menu is available on Sundays at one of Worcester’s newest independent restaurants – Globe Modern Bistro. A roast option of sirloin beef is also available and comes plated with roasties, Yorkshire pudding & gravy, and is served with purple sprouting broccoli , roast carrots, cauliflower cheese and roast parsnips.
Time: Available 12 noon-4 pm
Cost: £18
Menu: www.globebistro.net
Book: Call 01905 20950
La Brasserie, Kidderminster
Choose from roast Sirloin of English beef, roasted loin of locally reared pork or roasted leg of lamb, alongside a selection of main course options available on Sunday.
Time: Available 12 noon-3 pm
Cost: Two courses £17.50, Three courses £20
Menu: www.labrasserie.co.uk
Book: Call 01562 744976
Ostlers at Number 1, Worcester
Sunday roasts at Ostlers are served with roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, honey roasted parsnips, chantenay carrots, braised red cabbage, green beans, broccoli, sugar snaps, sage and onion stuffing and red wine jus.
Time: Available 12 noon-4 pm
Cost: One course £16, two courses £21, three courses £25
Menu: www.ostlersatnumber1.uk
Book: Call 01905 21302
Ounce Bar & Kitchen, Worcester
The Butcher’s Sunday roast is served with seasonal vegetables, homemade Yorkshire pudding & enjoyable trimmings.
Time: Available 12 noon-7 pm
Cost: £12.95
Menu: www.ouncebar.co.uk
Book: Call 01905 330460
Russells of Broadway
All roasts in this award-winning restaurant come served with roast potatoes, Cotswold seasonal vegetables and roast jus.
Time: Available 12 noon-2:30 pm
Cost: Two courses £30, three courses £35
Menu: www.russellsofbroadway.co.uk
Book: Call 01386 853555
The Anchor Inn & Boathouse, Worcester
Choose from roast striploin of beef, roast shoulder of outdoor reared pork or roast skin-on Cotswold chicken. All served with lashings of gravy, cauliflower cheese, red cabbage, roast parsnips, creamed mash potato, duck fat roast potatoes, sauteed carrots, leeks, peas and cabbage. The vegetarian option is an aubergine, tomato & spinach wellington. Vegetarian and gluten free gravy is also available.
Time: Available 12 noon-5 pm (booking essential)
Cost: Main courses £13-14
Menu: www.theanchorworcester.co.uk
Book: Call 01905 351094
The Baiting House, Upper Sapey
“We’re passionate about beautifully-prepared food, sourced from local ingredients and freshly made to order. That passion has earned us a place in the Good Food Guide as well as an AA 2 Rosette award for culinary excellence”. All roasts are served with roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and gravy.
Time: Available 12 noon-4:30 pm (booking essential)
Cost: Two courses £20, three courses £25
Menu: www.thebaitinghouse.co.uk
Book: Call 01886 853201
The Cropthorne Bell, Evesham
Choose from roast beef (sirloin or ribeye), leg of lamb, Andre’s roast of the week or lentil, vegetable & nut roast. All come served with fresh locally sourced vegetables, roasted vegetables and a homemade Yorkshire pudding.
Time: Available 12 noon-7:30 pm
Cost: Main course £12.50, small adult main course £8.50, child (under 12) £5.50, £2.50 per extra course.
Menu: www.thebellinncropthorne.co.uk
Book: Call 01386 861860
The Dewdrop, Lower Broadheath
Make a night of it and enjoy 25% off total room and restaurant dinner bill on a Sunday evening, including drinks. (Room must be booked for discount to apply).
Time: Available 12 noon-8 pm
Cost: One course £14.95, two courses, £19.95, 3 courses £24.95
Menu: www.thedewdrop.co.uk
Book: Call 01905 640012
The Fox & Hounds at Lulsley, Worcester
Choose from roast Knightwick beef or pork served with roast potatoes, parsnips, seasonal veg and cauliflower cheese (menu changes weekly). Alternatively The Fox & Hounds always has 2 vegetarian options, a ‘catch of the day’, and / or a pub classic to tempt you.
Time: Available 12 noon-4 pm
Cost: Main courses from £11.95-£14.95
Menu: www.foxandhoundslulsley.com
Book: Call 01886 821 228
The Hop Pole Inn, Bewdley
The menu changes regularly at The Hop Pole, but you can expect to find a good selection of roasts to include; The Hop Pole’s 28 day hung Herefordshire roast beef served with a ‘magnificent Yorkshire pudding’, and roast loin of pork served with the Hop Pole’s homemade orchard apple sauce.
Time: Available from 12 noon
Cost: Two courses £17.95 / three courses £19.95
Menu: www.thehoppolebewdley.co.uk
Book: Call 01299 401295
The Inn & Brasserie, Childswickham
The Inn & Brasserie Childswickham is a rural pub and restaurant located in the North Cotswolds, situated in the small idyllic village of Childswickham, which is just two miles outside of Broadway. A full al a carte menu is available on Sundays, including a choice of roast sirloin of beef served with Yorkshire pudding & roast potatoes or roast loin of pork with crackling, apple sauce & roast potatoes (roasts are subject to change).
Time: Available from 12 noon-6 pm
Cost: Two courses £20.50, three courses £26.50
Menu: www.childswickhaminn.co.uk
Book: Call 01386 852461
The Jockey Inn, Baughton (Earls Croome)
Although the menu changes regularly at The Jockey, their medium rare roast sirloin of grass fed beef is a fairly permanent fixture to the Sunday lunch menu. All roasts are served with duck fat roast potatoes, creamed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, gravy, and although the Yorkshire pudding only comes with the beef, just ask if you would like on with your chicken, pork or lamb!
Time: Available 12 noon-4 pm
Cost: Two courses £20.95, three courses £25.95, (children half portion half price)
Menu: www.thejockeyinn.co.uk
Book: Call 01684 592153
The King’s Arms, Ombersley
The King’s Arms great British roasts come served with all of the trimmings.
Time: Available 12 noon- 4 pm
Cost: One course £14, two courses £19, three courses £24
Menu: www.kingsarmsombersley.co.uk
Book: Call 01905 620142
The Lygon Arms, Broadway
The Lygon Arms has got you fully covered on a Sunday, with a choice of fish, roast loin (served with beef dripping roast potatoes,
Market vegetables, Yorkshire pudding), a plant based bubble and squeak (I’ve tried it, and it’s delicious), or their famous Waghornes aged Beef Wellington (Market Vegetable Wellington option is also available).
Time: Available from 12 noon-9:30 pm
Cost: £17-£27
Menu: www.lygonarmshotel.co.uk
Book: Call 01386 852255
The Mount Pleasant Hotel, Malvern
Choose from 3 meats, a selection of potatoes and variety of vegetables including home made gravy, from the Sunday carvery at The Mount Pleasant Hotel.
Time: Available from 12 noon-3 pm
Cost: Adults £11.95, children- £6.95, seniors- £9.95
Menu: www.mountpleasanthotel.co.uk
Book: Call 01684 561837
The Mug House Inn & Restaurant, Bewdley
Choose from roast pork beef or chicken. Alternatively there is a fish option and a vegetarian option. All main courses are served with roast potatoes, crushed minted new potatoes and seasonal veg.
Time: Available from 12 noon-7 pm
Cost: starters £5.75-£7.95 / mains £10.50-10.95 / desserts £5.95
Menu: www.themughousebewdley.co.uk
Book: Call 01299 402543
The Old Oak, Drakes Broughton
Rump of roast beef is available until the joints are done, served with gravy which has is prepared for 24 hours consisting of pig trotters, beef bones and red wine. A vegetarian Wellington with burgandy cheese is available for the non meat eaters. Plus you can add a GIANT Yorkshire pudding to your Sunday Roast.
Time: Available 12:30 pm-5 pm
Cost: One course £9.99, three courses £14.99
Menu: www.theoldoak.pub
Book: 01905 841769
The Old Rectifying House, Worcester
Choose from roasted rare Hereford beef topside or Old Spot pork (both come with a Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes, seasonal veg and gravy). A full vegan Sunday roast is also available; cashew and chestnut nut roast, Yorkie, cauliflower cheese, spiced roasties, purple sprouting and gravy for £12.00
Time: Available 12 noon-4 pm
Cost: Main dishes £8.50-23.50
Menu: www.theoldrec.co.uk
Book: Call 01905 619622
The Paul Pry, Worcester
Alongside The Paul Pry’s traditional roasts, they also offer a main dish option for the whole table to share! Expect whole roast birds, tasty stews, ‘mahoosive’ pies and slow braised joints that everyone can tuck into!
Time: Available from 1 pm-5 pm (booking strongly recommended)
Cost: Two courses£15
Menu: www.paulprywr1.com
Book: Call 01905 28992
The Swan Inn, Hanley Swan
All roasts are served with a Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, honey roasted parsnips, spring greens, green beans, cauliflower cheese, thyme and red wine gravy. An example of the vegetarian roast from The Swan’s sample menu is their delicious Mediterranean vegetable and goats cheese wellington.
Time: Available 12 noon-4 pm (all tables are limited to 2 hours on a Sunday)
Cost: One course £14.50 (£9 child), two courses £19.50 (£12.50 child), 3 courses £24.50 (child £16)
Menu: www.thehanleyswaninn.com
Book: Call 01684 311870
The White Lion, Upton-upon-Severn
Choose from roast beef, turkey or roasted butternut squash, basil and ricotta cannelloni with a rich tomato sauce topped with pine nuts and fresh parmesan from The White Lion’s winter Sunday menu.
Time: Available 12 noon-2 pm
Cost: Two courses £17.75, three courses £21.25
Menu: www.whitelionupton.co.uk
Book: Call 01684 592551