The Woodsman Restaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon

We had a lovely pre-theatre dinner here for my partner s birthday. It was a little rushed unfortunately as the show started at 7pm and the booking was for 6pm but it was still a very enjoyable meal. My partner had pork belly and I had cod for main, plus carrots and dirty mash. Flavours were great and for me, possibly the best cod I ve ever had, it was cooked to perfection so compliments to the chef. We were seated right next to the cooking station which enhanced our experience. I ve seen many negative reviews about the staff but everyone were very pleasant that dealt with us from start to finish. Such a shame we didn t have more time so we could try the deserts.

Fantastic food and very friendly and knowledgeable staff

Service was disappointing. We were not acknowledged on entry and stood around very gormless looking because clearly we weren t to find our own seats but no one spoke to us. This is despite making eye contact several times to various servers. We stood about 12 minutes at the laptop desk before we were finally spoken to. Food was above average in general but not so to justify the prices, overpriced.

Restaurant just cancelled my reservation out of the blue, no human cared to reach out to provide an explanation or rebooking options. Poor service from what is supposed to be a great restaurant. Guess Ill never know, nor do I care to if this is how you treat your guests.

The place is beautiful the atmosphere inviting. When i asked for a little backgound of the food i was told to read the menu. Total status/ class oriented. Yhe servers talk about you right imfront of you Food : 3/5

Don t be fooled by their instagram

Excellent restaurant using the best fresh produce. Everything is thought about, from the taste to the service! Food : 5/5

We had a lovely meal here. We have been a few times previously and have never been disappointed. Great food, good service and a lovely selection of wines. One of the places to eat.

This place has gone down the hill a bit. Used to be my favourite restaurant in the UK and brought my family visiting for a nice modern British meal. Menu not inspiring any more, it s pretty much a better looking pub food. Taste was also incredibly average or I d say too rich - no balance. I m sad because couple years ago I was wowed by the taste and the service.

Unfortunately we were hugely disappointed by our experience at this restaurant. The website and online menus suggest that this is fine dining, London standard food and service. However, we felt catfished! We reserved a table for 7pm and were kept waiting in a queue for over 15 minutes. The full menu isnt available on Sundays and the Sunday lunch menu continues in to the evening. The starters were ok, fine, good pub standard but not refined as the menu suggests. The main courses similar and a potato element of the fish main was inedible by all at our table. Puddings tiny. Over all is was ok...not awful but not anywhere I would go again for a special occasion. Disappointing as we had high hopes we had found a local gem.

Probably the best meal Ive ever had. This is the comment my wife had,, which coming from her, a family of gourmets, means something! My daughter and I were also impressed, and we all had different courses and drinks. Starters, mains, deserts, cocktails, everything is the level above. Its not cheap but considering the amount of work that goes into making this sort of place work, from sourcing quality local ingredients to fine-tuning recipes you wont find elsewhere, and yet work beautifully, to giving the place a unique atmosphere, wow! its incredible. The service was very pro too (although the reception was a bit abrupt initially, minor quibble). I was there on business a few years ago, so glad I went back with my family this year to find that, if anything, this address has gone from excellent to even better. Vegetarian options: One starter and one main, both unforgettable. One amazing option is better that 20 poor ones... Dietary restrictions: The staff was very attentive to my slightly unusual intolerance to alliums.

We went to the Woodsman for our anniversary. Whilst the roast lamb was the best I ve ever had, the meal was entirely forgettable. This is a testament to the lack of warmth and service in the restaurant. Our occasion was not acknowledged, dietary restrictions were forgotten and the maitre d was arrogant. Whilst some of the dishes were outstanding, many were not. Combined with the standard of service, I would be surprised if this restaurant attains the Michelin star that the chef seems to be aspiring to. Dietary restrictions: Avoid if you have any dietary restrictions. There was a lack of transparency and knowledge regarding ingredients. Meat was incorporated into most dishes including seemingly vegetarian options. Interestingly, the chef declined to accommodate dietary restrictions.

We booked the Woodsman for Sunday lunch following a recommendation for 4 of us. The food was absolutely fantastic and lived up to the reputation. However, the poor service let it down. The welcome from the point of arrival from the receptionist was cold, unfriendly and obnoxious. His attitude didn t get any better throughout the service. We then waited 1.5 hours between starter and main course with no acknowledgement or recognition from any of the waiting team. We had to chase for an update and again no acknowledgement or apology or explanation for the delay. It is a shame as the food and environment were lovely but because of the poor service, we are unlikely to go back.

Amazing Sunday lunch. A little bit more expensive than your run of the mill Sunday lunch but well worth it. Im looking forward to going back in the near future.

Nice food ,but a bit pricey for what it is.

Absolutely 10/10. We had the set menu which was far superior to Michelin-starred Salt round the corner (and cheaper!). I had two English wines which were wonderful. Would 100% recommend and will be going back asap.

Had Sunday lunch today, food was 10/10 but the service was really slow. Had to wait almost 30 mins from sitting down for a drink and had to chase twice. Heard the table next to us also asking what had happened to their drinks. It wasnt overly busy, so not sure why everything was on a go slow. Pity as the food was delicious.

Not sure what more credit I can give this place, other than the food, service and place was excellent.. I hope my next visit will be just as good..

Was an OK place. Came here for some different meats and luckily we got the last roe. We were late 1730 so would have expected a few more items to choose from. Rest was OK, and little shout out to the duck liver, probs best thing minus the roe. One server brought the atmosphere down but maybe she was eager to get off work to watch the euro final that night

This may seem sentimental but the meal that my father and I had here really made a memory for us to share forevermore. You can t put a price on that. Fantastic food and beautiful wine. Thank you.

went for a birthday dinner - and the staff were lovely. I had the bream, and it was amazing - the majority of our table had the fallow deer and they all gave raving reviews. However, the favourite of the night was the bread and butter at the beginning! All the food was splendid (although the rhubarb dessert was to a specific taste as the pink pepper is a prominent flavour in the dessert). the staff were fabulous and the wine recommendation was perfect!

Beautiful food with fantastic service.

An amazing restaurant in the heart of Stratford! We had the 7 course tasting menu and would definitely come back and try again. One course slightly let it down - we werent convinced by the combination of lamb & anchovy and the lamb itself was rump so a bit fatty, but I suppose that is personal preference so not a reason to not return. The service was exceptional, could not fault the front of house one bit - very friendly, funny & attentive!

Oh dear, a once very good restaurant now seemingly lost its way. The bread was tasteless and might as well have been from Co Op. The once fantastic Muntjac lollipops are now bland and without anything that would really recommend them. The mains came out cold and the meat wasn t too rare, it was just poorly cooked. We ve enjoyed a few great meals here in the past but this wasn t one of them. I m not sure I ll be in a hurry to return

This is without doubt one of the best restaurants my wife and I have ever been to. From the moment youre met at the desk when you walk in everything is fantastic. The staff are polite, professional and knowledgeable about the food on the menu. My wife had the crab crumpet to start which she said was amazing and it looked it, I had the sweetbread which was tasty and so flavorful, main course my wife had the pork which she said was the best plate of food she ever had, I had the deer which was cooked perfectly and and melted in the mouth the dirty mash was out of this world.We didnt have desert as we were so full. Overall this restaurant is amazing with superb staff and excellent cooking.

Made a special trip to Stratford inorder to visit The Woodsman for sunday lunch. Absolutely wonderful meal and really well looked after by thier staff. Many Thanks

At this price range it needs to be spot on... it wasnt. I get the concept and the social media brings the people to the tables, but perhaps too busy? Service was (at times) good, the wait between courses was way too long and when the food arrived it was disappointing as it was barely warm

Great food

The best lamb I have ever had. Great service in the ideal location. Would reccomend to everyone.

Spontaneous dinner on a one night trip to Stratford could not have been better! Delicious deer, great wine pairing recommendation. And the pistachio desert was out of this world. Both me and my 4 yo son felt very welcome. We will be back

Excellent Sunday lunch. Between us we tried different roasts, including roast celeriac. All very good and easily adapted for gluten free. Great service and friendly staff. Tables were well spaced but the only negative for me was that it was quite noisy and sometimes a bit difficult to hear across the table. Dietary restrictions: Very easy adaptation for gluten free along with fresh gluten free bread.

Fabulous from start to finish. Warm welcome in a very inviting restaurant. Can see the chef creating his magic behind the BBQ / grill . Great service with delicious choices from the menu and specials board. If you are in Stratford upon Avon definitely give the woodsman a go ... You wont be disappointed

Dietary restrictions: Very helpful with gluten free options Food

I eat out a lot and have eaten all over the world so know what s good what s bad etc. Food was great, some of this food was the best I ve eaten (scotch egg mmmm) but the problem is the service, felt lost in the corner drinking champagne with my other half that I had to carry to the table, we was asked if we would like any drinks, requested a bottle of water. After waiting 45 mins to put our food order in I asked if they could do Roast trio, with waitress number2 where our waitress read me the meats I could have with a bad attitude almost rolling her eyes very rude, I then asked if we could maybe get some bread and olives (as it doesn t say anywhere this is given) with a very sarcastic tone she told me yeah, we ll bring them to your table waitress number3 turners up and says she s going to clear the table for the food and puts dirty glasses to the back of the table, starter was delicious, after numerous attempts of eyeball waitress number 1 water turns up. Plates cleared up by waiter number 4, glasses still remain. Mains turn up missing our side and Yorkies, waiting for her to come back but never did, no ask if any sources needed etc just drop and go. Went on like this all night. I got up to pay at the bar as got fed up of waiting for the bill with out drinks etc and had the most awkward scene from Waitress, Number2 where she was creeping around us, then after a few minutes told us we couldn t pay at this till like we was stupid this is where I told her of our experience and told her to remove any service charge, she weirdly read me what I had and mumbled a lot of stuff at me to where at a guess the manger come and just stud there .a lot of eyes, shoulders and hands at each out without a word said sooo weird again terrible service from the manager (waitress number 1) th Yes

I chose this restaurant for a family birthday lunch after reading the reviews. The food did not disappoint in any way. It really was a fabulous lunch. The negative point was the service; it was a bit haphazard and slapdash, not what I expected from a restaurant like this. We did eventually get a waitress that was efficient. I knew when the waiter was taking my sons drink order that he would not get it. We asked 3 different members of table staff until it appeared but long after we had all got ours. Having said that maybe that was a one off and where the food is concerned I would not hesitate to go back.

We tried the Woodsman following its excellent reputation and it didnt disappoint. The sustainability and wood fired concept is unique and the dishes were creative, beautifully presented and flavoursome. Of particular mention was the wood fired cod and the rhubarb and custard tart, both were outstanding and of Michelin star quality

Absolutely superb Sunday lunch. Can t fault any of it the lamb shoulder was perfect.

First time absolutely brilliant Food was amazing The Roast Beef was unbelievable vegetables were awesome The two lads worked together and were so professional and nothing was ever too much 5 stars aren t enough Our head of reception realised she had made a mistake in our seated location and moved us to where we should have without any hassles The whole experience of today from the bar staff to the head of service it was a experience I would encourage anyone to take up We most definitely will be returning hopefully the road works would have been completed Parking: £6.50 to park was good value and a safe zone

We had a truly excellent meal here for a birthday treat. Gorgeous inviting atmosphere and the staff seemed friendly. Wine selection was good. The duck was the pick of the starters, especially the croquette. I had the pate which wasnt really a pate but more of a slice of gala style pie but delicious nonetheless. The mains were where the meal really shone for me; I had the cod and mussels which came with a gorgeous sauce and beautifully cooked celeriac. My partner had the beef, shortrib and sirloin, both cooked to perfection and the accoutrement were again fantastic. The sides were great too: Id definitely recommend the dirty mash but the hispi cabbage we had as well was delicious. We shared a pudding, a pistachio and white chocolate mouse with a blood orange sorbet that Im still thinking about! I think the only criticism Id have of the evening was that the service was pretty slow. I think they probably needed one extra wait staff on service because our waiter just seemed stretched a little thin. The spacing between the courses was also pretty uneven, our starters came at a fairly normal time but then we waited quite a long time for our mains. Its the sort of thing that generally Id overlook, except you are paying quite a lot for this meal. Regardless, I would wholeheartedly recommend a special occasion dinner here.

Love this place as a treat out. Every meal Ive had here as been fantastic, even though it isnt the easiest menu to pick from if youre a bit fussy like me. Most recently had the Sunday roast - the only place Ive ever had a decent roast potato out, plus generous portions. Fantastic cocktails, too. Highly recommend for a special occasion.

Excellent dinner at The Woodsman, the food, service and atmosphere was great and we would definitely dine there again. Weve taken one star off of service as our waitress, although helpful and efficient, wasnt terribly welcoming.

At The Woodsman, I indulged in their pave and shoulder of Bathurst Estate fallow deer, accompanied by their recommended side of dirty mash (mashed potatoes with crispy venison and gravy) and a glass of Valpolicella Ripasso Pojega red wine. I was also offered a serving of their bread with their homemade herb butter, which was a delightful start to the meal. The deer was then presented in two forms: a perfectly cooked medium rare steak and a slow-cooked portion wrapped alongside it, served with parsnip, praline, and quince. Both preparations of the deer were absolutely delectable, showcasing the care and precision put into the cooking. While the vegetables were enjoyable, they were overshadowed by the melt-in-your-mouth deer, as expected. Despite being a bit pricey, I would highly recommend this meal to any visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon. The dirty mash, infused with venison and gravy, was also a delightful accompaniment, and the waiters wine recommendation paired perfectly with the meal. Overall, it was a remarkable food experience, and I would gladly return for another meal if I find myself in the area again.

Everything started great, with the warm greeting by the manager lady and a lovely table for two. Ambience is great, the building certainly has some character. Wine list is well made, some of the wines you cannot find in retail easily, good choice. The starter was nice, mackerel well made with some creative touch. Mains were good also, not amusing but well worth it. The major let down was the table service - gloomy overworked staff, self-service for wine bottle(we had to pour it ourselves or to ask to do it), generally it felt very superficial and not welcoming. By far the worst we had in winter.

Went in for an English tea (as advertised outside). The place was empty, and the staff couldn t be anymore uninterested if they tried. We were told we could only have one if prebooked. Imagine having to prebook a scone and a pot of tea. No explanation, no apology. It s one of those places that looks fantastic from the outside, and great things are expected of, but the harsh reality is, it doesn t live up to it. Customer service non existent.

Quick lunch - delicious and was a Christmas tradition. I say was because we won t be going next year - beautiful wine and expensive meal which we expect there but and then charged £5 for parking while we ate. Shame but won t be back

Superb. Ridiculously good food and a perfect atmosphere.

Brilliant! Excellent value, generous serving size, friendly service, beautiful ambience & decor. I only wish we could have gotten in for Xmas lunch and not the place we ended up. Had the slow-cooked Roe Deer special for two and it could have fed 3-4ppl.

Nice pub and good location. Staff pleasant but toilet were terrible.

Beautiful restaurant, love the open kitchen in dining area and exquisite food. Will come back again

Gorgeous interiors, absolutely fabulous food! Mind-blowing, Ive even forgotten to drink my wine ;) Big thank you and congratulations to the whole kitchen team. Youre making people happy :) Front of house was amazing too!

Myself and my husband had the most fabulous meal here a couple of weeks ago. Lovely pub area when you arrive with open fire and sumptuous leather seating. Beautiful restaurant area with a huge open oven and the chefs working in front of you. The drinks menu was good, cocktails made well and staff friendly. Will be back if we are in the area again!

Food was amazing, i adore the decoration, everything was set perfectly and in harmony. A very relaxing and memorable night. I do recommend this place to anyone around in Stratford.

Great lunch there with friends, the menu choice is limited to what game is on offer at time but was all delicious. Would recommend the Pork Belly Starter for sure. We had a long lunch with some wine and drinks, great atmosphere for adults but probably not the best place for young children as a lunch venue in the restaurant.

Possibly best meal we have eaten last night, definitely a cut above the normal ! Fabulous locally sourced ingredients and served by a team who really knew the details of all dishes. We had a Trout starter that was simply stunning, an amazing sharing main of Deer Shoulder wrapped in bacon and finished in the wood fire, then Banoffee Soufflé, with peanut butter ice cream and toasted popcorn macaroon. Cost wise, a 3 course meal would be between £60-£70 per person, plus drinks, if that is in your price range I genuinely dont think you can beat this for flavour and quality A good wine list is available with lots of choice around £35-£50, and plenty of gin options.

Nice and relaxing for a drink. Bar staff very friendly.

The food was delicious and could not be faulted, compliments to the chefs. And although the service was attentive, they clearly need more training on etiquette....serve ladies first, pour wine without spilling, explain the dishes served.

Sunday Roast is a must. The Roe special was melt in your mouth, plenty to share between two. Service is great here, attentive and timely. Staff were gracious enough to let us take some leftovers home for our dog and bagged it all up for us. Varied selection of wines and cocktails. Recommend for a Sunday roast or a date night.

Amazing food & service. Had the beef Sunday lunch, was so go good went back next evening for the deer.

Very very good!!

The food was very enjoyable and service generally good. There was confusion over the wine we ordered which was a much more expensive bottle, not being experts this only became apparent when the bill came. So dont rely on the staff to check.

We are a couple and intend to write an honest review about our experience without emotions affecting our opinions. Having stopped in the Hotel (Indigo) for the bank holiday weekend we decided on having Sunday lunch here before heading home. We booked the restaurant at the start of the trip but then moved the time forward on the last day to midday. The restaurant loses a point here because we received a phone call to confirm the booking but to also be told we have to vacate the table two hours later. Shouldnt be an issue as only two of us but the tone of the call soured it all. We ordered the special which was lamb and was delicious but also £56 for two. The beef was priced at £27 each. We didn t have a starter or dessert as nothing took our fancy to sway us to pay for these at around £10 each. Its to be expected as it is in the Michelin guide. The food was very good, ample amount of Lamb and very nice sides. The setting is wonderful with the blazing wood stove although I think the food is probably prepped elsewhere and bought here to finish. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Would we eat here again, probably not unless the menu really had something we would want from the starter of dessert section but thats a personal preference.

We had the tasting menu, honesty, what a fantastic experience. Service was great, very knowledgeable about the food, and Ive been to some fantastic restaurants, but this was really the best. The food was out of this world and cooked to order, so maybe a bit of a wait, but well worth it, seasonal and so fresh. If you really want a fantastic dining experience, well worth the money. Really really recommend this place. Id like to thank the staff to make this all part of a wonderful evening

A truly amazing meal at @thewoodsmanrestaurant in Stratford-upon-Avon Surely the best restaurant in Stratford! To be honest, I could have eaten the pillow-like focaccia all night! I had the Cornish rock bass with lobster tortellini and lobster and vanilla bisque followed by the rhubarb with rice pudding mousse, ginger ale jelly and rhubarb sorbet! Simply stunning! Thanks for a wonderful meal

It becomes easily your fav restaurant in the Midlands..!!! Everything is special, beautiful and...simply amazing.

The best restaurant in town. A little pricey on the drinks but the food was absolutely worth it. Beautifully plated and showcasing the best of regional British ingredients. Highly recommend if youre in town and looking for top notch British cuisine aside from the great pubs that Stratford-Upon-Avon has to offer.

Beautiful place and fantastic service

Lively food and great restaurant and bar

We went to The Woodsman on 10th May for a birthday celebration. Our meals were: Quail Kiev as a starter each followed by Fallow Deer for one of us and the Lamb for the other and both accompanied with the dirty mash and char grilled carrots, finishing up with the Banoffee Soufflé. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and dishes ingredients but also made recommendations from personal experiences which were welcome. Personal touches re the birthday we re unexpected and a lovely addition. The food was beyond excellent and the wine chosen to accompany was perfect. Could not in any way fault such a wonderful experience.

This really is a fabulous restaurant and Im not sure as to why it has not gained a Michelin Star as the food and wine lists, are exquisite. Service is excellent. All food is prepared over a log fired oven

superb sunday lunch, excellent beef, good service lovely and relaxed - perfect way to spend a few hours on a sunday

I don t have anything really to say, because my meal here was perfect. The food was flawless. Unique flavors, I loved the quail Kiev, and the smoked butternut squash was absolutely fantastic. This is the best restaurant in Stratford for a reason

Had a great meal for our anniversary, loved it!

Tasty fresh local and well presented dishes straight from the wood burning grill in the restaurant. Will be back!

Very expensive but well worth a visit, food and service superb. I am editing this review as when I got back to the hotel and checked the bill I found that the food and drink did not include VAT that was bad enough but they also added the food, drink and the 12.5 percent service charge together and then added the VAT, I only wish I had checked the bill because I would have complained. My silly fault.

Beautiful olde worlde restaurants situated inside the Indigo Hotel. Fabulous food, waiters were brilliant & a lovely historic building. Would definitely recommend.

Food Very expensive for what it is. Excellent service and excellent food regardless. Just nothing too wild But still an amazing place. £75 a head including sharing a bottle of wine.

Fantastic find in Stratford.. Amazing food and service, great bottle of wine and the best lamb either of us had ever had. Would definitely recommend.. If i could give 6 stars in would

Absolutely delicious, bread before starter was exquisite. Sharing plater was nice and beautifully presented main.

Beautiful place, wonderful drinks, and AMAZING service from Robin. She went above and beyond to make our visit as comfortable as possible! Thank you Robin Food

Super Sunday lunch, great staff, knowledgeable sommelier etx. Highly recommend.

I really looked forward to our dinner at The Woodsman. It was my birthday and I was highly intrigued by the vision of the restaurant. I did not realize the restaurant was inside the hotel which meant people walking through the restaurant to find the bar. I also expected the vision to shine through a bit more. Our food was very good, especially our main course (deer shoulder). Starters and desserts were also good, but not spectacular. I found the service the biggest disappointment of the evening. Staff was friendly, but not very attentive nor professional. It was a bit of a slow night and we were the only table in our side of the room for a while. We overheard a loud discussion about something that went wrong. Not very professional. Also staff was hanging around doing nothing quite a lot, but I still had to ask for a new drink and after our desserts we were forgotten and sat with empty plates and empty glasses. It took ages to finally get attention and the bill. For this prize and in this segment I expected more.

First class everything

Booked this on spec as needed to stay overnight in Stratford so not sure what to expect This is restaurant that produces serious brilliant food Not eaten as well as this since L Enclume earlier this year Very different offerings but no less enjoyable Wonderful! Michael Morgan

Amazing food, amazing staff. Could not fault anything x

Came here for a last minute birthday booking. Food was absolutely incredible, staff were lovely and very attentive. All worth the price. 10/10 will return.

I was super excited to book a table at this stunning restaurant, having wanted to dine here for ages! The location is stunning and steeped in history, with timbers from Shakespeares house in one room. The restaurant was beautifully decorated and we were shown to our table which was adjacent to the wood fired ovens, where you could watch the chefs cooking the dishes. The serving staff were excellent, they were always there the second you wanted them but faded into the background otherwise - perfect! They were helpful with wine suggestions and advised me that there was only one of the specials - Venison Wellington left. Having secured this I opted for a truffled goats cheese tart for starter. The food was just perfect for my taste, the balance of flavour and the lightness of the starter was perfect and beautifully presented. The Wellington was just divine, the meat moist and pink with the most delicious mousse and pastry - no soggy bottoms here! The highlight of the evening had to be finally getting to sample dirty mash. Trust me it is dirty. It is filthy and I want more, I would return just for the side dish alone! A perfect evening which I could not fault, I will return with my husband soon.

Beautiful place

Fantastic meal here.

Absolutely incredible. Such great skill on display from the chefs, the food was amazing. Very polite and friendly service. I cannot fault it, highly recommend.

Great place food outstanding

Was charge £14 for one carrot, 3 roast potatoes and a bit of cabbage! No vegetarian or gluten free options despite double checking before booking! Was overcharged by £84 as well. Disappointed beyond measure. Dietary restrictions: No care taken to cater for any dietary restrictions. Extremely disappointing.

Went because of high reviews and Michelin recommendation. Good menu with creative twists on English classics. Starter and dessert very good, mains were good but not as good as expected. A bit overcooked/dry as well as over-priced. Service could have been more personal and was slow at the end. Enjoyed the atmosphere. Dont regret trying but wouldnt go back.

The Woodsman is a great restaurant and this is our 3rd visit. Now a must for us with the theatre. The sauces are particularly good.

An excellent restaurant that made a perfect venue for our intimate wedding! Where to start, the staff were amazing, the venue was stunning and the food was out of this world. We used the library as a reception room, moving onto the feasting room for food and retiring to the sung to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening with our guests. The food was amazing, in true feasting quantities and had a great variety served in a family style of help yourselves from the delectable selections, catering to the dietary requirements of our wedding party. Every dish was super tasty, with a particular stand out being the market fish which was Sea Bream and was commented on as a stand out item by many guests. The suite we stayed in after at the attached hotel Indigo was really nice, clean and spacious, with the hotel allowing us early access to the room for my wife to get ready in. We would like to thank all the staff who helped to make our day so special & will definitely be visiting again in the future. Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair accessible through the hotel entrance at the back or with assistance up a small step at the front entrance.

Wow, excellent

We booked in for lunch with our one year old, the staff were very attentive the food was first class and they accommodated the little one really well. The smell of the open fire and the low lit rustic atmosphere is what really sets the place off. Highly recommend!! Kid-friendliness: We were in at lunch but most likely wouldnt take the little one in the evening, they would accommodate if you did though I am sure.

The service was fantastic and the chefs are amazing. My wife liked something on the menu, but didn t want the accompaniments. We talked to them and they completely changed the dish to suit her requirements. Everything we ate and drank was delicious and the service was superb. And the dessert tasted like New Years Eve!

We really enjoyed the meal. Well cooked, well presented and ethically sourced. Service was good and staff helpful. Vegetarian options: There are some vegetation dishes, but much of the menu is meat based.

Im going to say it.... This might possibly be the best meal I have ever eaten in a restaurant. So good I couldnt stop thinking about it and it pains me that this place is 2 hours away from home The setting, service and whole experience was The order: Raviolo of wild rabbit & berkswell cheese The Sunday lunch special - slow cooked deer shoulder wrapped in maple glazed bacon. Plus all the trimmings which were wood fired 2 courses were £35pp + £5pp for the deer shoulder special (so worth it) Visited in November 2023

Really tasty food and good portion sizes. Very helpful and lovely staff

The most amazing food I have eaten in a very long time. I have eaten in a lot of restaurants over the years and by far this is one of the best. The food was so fresh and tasted out of this world cooked to perfection.The staff are very good and helpful and the setting for the restaurant is perfect. We live a hour away but shall be traveling back for an evening meal then driving back home. It is really worth a visit. Fantastic.

Staff were polite and helpful, only had a coffee, but Im very much looking forward to photographing a wedding reception there in April and sampling the food then!

Lovely food and staff, would recommend. The crumble soufle was a new one and very light. Ideal after a large meal

Mothers birthday meal as reccommended by friends.. It was a beautiful meal, food was just perfect.. had the edge that others dont! Really relaxed environment.. staff were mega efficient and friendly and not in your face! Highly recommend the experience!

Absolutely fantastic. Booked a table for my mums birthday. The food and service were second to none. Highly recommend

Lovely food, service and ambience

The Best

Can only give 5 star but would love to give 6. Sensational food, frienly, attentive and knowledgeable staff. The decor gives a nice warmly feel

Booked meal as part of a birthday experience staying in the hotel. The chicken liver parfait was incredible. Unfortunately the main event which was beef rump was not good and the leeks were stringy, on speaking to the manager she arranged to replace both meals straight away and was very apologetic. The replacement venison meal was absolutely delicious, though very rich , it was served with an extra venison sausage and mash on the side. On leaving we were told that the main courses had been taken off the bill which we werent expecting. The Woodman obviously has an excellent reputation you can see that by the reviews, I would like to commend the manager for the way she handled our complaint, and thank her for the way she dealt with it. We Would still come back and eat there again if we are ever in Stratford in the future.

Well: the food was good, and the service was nice, but nothing was on point: I had to ask we have side plates but no bread; is there bread? And then they brought it; the starter and main were genuinely good; but the dessert was obviously microwaved and lukewarm (tarte tatin in five minutes?) This is a good restaurant that only intermittently cares.

Stunner of a space. Several different rooms keep this restaurant feeling very cozy and warm. There is a small bar w/ a handful of seats (be aware that the full menu is not available at the bar). The Woodsman sharing platter is a great way to get a taste of the restaurants flavors and cooking. Wild venison scotch egg, muntjac lollipops, cauliflower croquettes. Reservation highly advised.

Amazing restaurant: The Woodsman welcomes you in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It immediately makes you feel at home. But do not be fooled: whats in your plate is fine dining at its best. All ingredients are locally sourced and they are optimally used. Everything is scrumptious and the portions are generous too. An absolute delight.

Great restaurant with delicious cocktails. Rhubarb and ginger Collins was really something special.

Fantastic Sunday dinner, best meal we have had for agers and will definitely return

Food was out of this world. Great selection of drinks available and fantastic service.

I was expecting something really special for my partner for a birthday treat but it just didnt happen. Beware the prices on the menu exclude VAT! On arrival we were greeted very well, lovely front of house staff member made us feel very welcome. We had some food allergies to sort out but they were already on it. Unfortunately we then had another waitress take over and it just went downhill really. The starters were lovely, really nice. The mains arrived on a platter and we had no plates to eat off, but it didnt take long to get them sorted as the waitress rushed them over. The mains were OK, the roast potatoes were rock solid and very tough, really couldnt chew them so had to leave them, everything else was good. The platter left meat juices on the table and the waitress came over to clean it up, she then sprayed the cleaner all over the table with a powerful spray that stated all over our drinks and us saying sorry as she was doing it, we had to use our napkins to wipe ourselves and our glasses down! So rediculous, why not spray the cloth then wipe the table? The desserts arrived, again were nice. After desserts we were left for quite a while and had to wait to get the attention of the waitress for the bill. Finally the bill arrived and we realised the prices in the menu were EXCLUDING VAT! Wow we did not expect this and along with the mandatory service charge of £16.50 made it very expensive for the food and experience. For the price we paid it was not worth it. Need better staff and really need to ensure all the food is edible. Unfortunately we would not go back. The food was good but not worth the cost, the experience with the waitress was not good and put a downer on the evening.

This was a really great experience. The food was excellent, the service super and the whole of the staff kind and helpful at every stage. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. If you like good food and excellent service this must be your go-to local restaurant.

Food was delicious and stuff very lovely.

Great restaurant with an English atmosphere and good (!) food.

Went above and beyond. Such a magical place. Food was delicious and loved the narrative.

Great meal. Very pleased to see some artisanal gluten free bread served with the food. Highly recommend the trout starter!

One of the best restaurants we visited in 10 days of traveling in England :-) If you pass through Stratford upon Avon, this is an opportunity to discover it.

Excellent service and food was outstanding. Had the tomatoes to start with and sharing lamb shoulder to share. Lamb melted in the mouth and was a great portion size. Service was very attentive and very reasonably priced wines for the quality.

Beautiful interior, with a relaxed atmosphere. Good drinks menu and nice choice there. Knocked off a star as service was very slow, both at taking the order and bringing out our first course, despite an early sitting. Two out of three mains were good, but nothing special, perhaps our hopes were too high, but all in all a nice evening, the staff were friendly and the location convenient for a good evening out after in Stratford upon Avon

Great food, wine selection and attention to detail!

We were more than happy with our meals, although a bit expensive for what it was but the next table (of 6) walked out after not being served after 30 minutes

If you want decent food and a great experience avoid this place, it s not Michelin star food it s overpriced undercooked pretentious and badly prepared.

Dietary restrictions: Needed more gluten free options

Food was lovely had a great night

What an experience, right up my street. This was something a bit different to our usual choice of restaurant and I was really pleased. Especially with the venison which was like eating butter it was so tender and juicy. The wood fired kitchen is really unique, although does leave you smelling a bit smokey by the end of the night . Weve already recommended this restaurant to a number of friends. Thank you.

It was absolutely amazing! The service is good and the food is rich! Chef s kiss!

Amazing atmosphere and service at the Woodsman. We had the chef s special for two. The portions were great and the food was delicious. I d recommend anyone to book in advance for a special occasion.

Food was eccentric (no safe option on the Christmas Menu) but all very tasty. Evening was a phenomenal experience overall. Charlie looked after us the for much of the evening and was incredible. Would thoroughly recommend. Food

Autumn wedding feast, and incredible meal boxes The Woodsman hosted our micro wedding reception in October, and we couldn t have wished for a better day. Rachel, Chef and the team went above and beyond to ensure that we had the day of our dreams with delicious food and drink, and that we could have a celebration in line with the ever-changing guidance. All our guests agreed the food and drink were the highlight of 2020, and that they felt so comfortable in such a warm, welcoming atmosphere at the Woodsman. Since our (small) big day we have been ordering the Woodsman food boxes to remember and they have been just as delicious as the food weve enjoyed in the restaurant. They make restaurant quality food super-simple, with the added benefit of very little washing up!

Scoring 3 stars based on the category this restaurant falls into. Its in the Michelin guide, and was rated one of the best new restaurants in the UK recently, so in some esteemed company, and should be judged accordingly. The setting is good, in the indigo hotel, with some tables in the outside courtyard. For us though, the food and service were both a bit of a letdown for the price and expected standard. Asparagus starter had good promise but was overpowered by too much salt. Deer haunch main was surprisingly tough. There was way more chicken parfait than bread so soon ran out of bread and had to order more otherwise would have been eating very rich parfait on its own. Service not great either.. at one point 4 staff were all gathered round the till at the same time, and we had to get their attention to order food and drinks after waiting a while. Ultimately the ingredients and ideas were good, but service and preparation of the food didnt quite hit the mark for us.

Food was beautiful full of flavours

Had a treat of going to Woodsman for breakfast! Sat in their beautiful garden. Pricey but worth it as a treat.

Excellent relaxed fine dining, with a small but beautifully formed menu. Food was outstanding although I feel the desserts were not as excellent as the preceeding courses. Staff wonderfully respectfully friendly and extremely efficient.

We had a fantastic experience at the Woodsman on Friday afternoon - the food was incredible, wine was great and we were really well looked after by Rachael and the team. We immediately rebooked for a Christmas meal in December!

Long trip toget there, but upon entering startdord upon avon it was lovely with fields and countryside then moving into a quiet but current town with lovely buildings and elegance. Upon entering the Woodsman noticing the lovely decor and i not be ced the goshawk which was nice to see We were greated sat and served with bubbly staff with smiles and throughout the evening were constantly impressed with quality service, recommendations and happy people around us. The food was outstanding, pigeon starter, fallow mains and cheeseboard for myself and parfait, lamb and baked Alaska for a friend which did not disappoint my fallow was the best Ive ever had ad next time will hopefully get to try the wellington or a mix of venison. Seems the staff enjoy there work as made us feel the journey was worth it and will be back. Many thanks

In short a lovely setting, great atmosphere and a superb chef but down by indifferent, haphazard service. The menu and dishes were excellent without exception, especially the deer Wellington special for two (albeit at a hefty £70 for two price tag), but the service was disjointed, and lacked coordination and polish, probably down to poor training or lack of proper supervision and management by the maître d. Make no mistake this is a pricey restaurant and shouldnt fall short of the mark in any area. In addition the Covid security also fell below what would be expected - no sign-in or check-in process and no physical separation between our party of four and the group of three on the next table less than a meter away - although staff were all wearing face coverings. Will we return? Yes, for the food alone. Lets hope the other aspects improve in the meantime.

Good vibe, attentive staff, food v good, especially dirty mash

It was a bit pricy, but worth every penny

Visit for drinks only. Three pints of Hooky, end of life, tasted like vinegar. At least they supplied 3 pints of alternative Hook Norton which was OK Three Pina Coladas were by all accounts terrible. Too much ice, not made with coconut milk, but concentrate, still the coconut taste was missing!. The massive amount of ice just helped to bulk out and water down the drink. If you want a proper cocktail I suggest you try somewhere that can make them. Otherwise was a pleasant experience let down by in experienced bar staff, not trained to make decent cocktails ( not the fault of the bar staff, but management, as is probably usual)

Loved my visit, Matthew on the bar was great , we had the lamb shoulder special it was the BOMB!

Best meal weve had for a long, long time. You wont be disappointed

Honestly cannot fault this place for Sunday lunch, from start to finish the staff were attentive, friendly and polite and the food itself was out of this world, we shared a starter sharing platter and then the special lamb with some of the nicest restaurant cooked roasties Ive ever experienced! The desserts were sublime too! Bit more expensive than your local spoons, but with this quality you really wont begrudge that extra cost.

My wife and I plus two friends went to the Woodsman for a celebration meal, I would just like to say, I am now over 70 years of age and never in all these years have I had a better meal anywhere in the world. The service and food was unbelievably good. If you are ever in Stratford upon Avon, I recommend that you try it for yourself, you won t be disappointed.

Food was fantastic, service was great, atmosphere was lovely!

We used the feasting room as our venue for our wedding dinner and could not recommend it enough! The food was incredible, the room was beautiful and the staff were fantastic, Phil looked after us all night. Can t wait to go again.

I had an excellent meal here with family. Very tasty and good value

I held a party in the feasting room. Incredible food with excellent wines. They allowed us to have an extended wine-tasting before the event (free) in order to choose wines. Menu was seasonal and they clearly care about the origin and the quality of their ingredients. The final bill was very reasonable given the number of guests and the quality of the provender (the cocktails were a highlight). Staff were excellent on the night but occasionally a little slow to respond to queries in the run up to the event. Can whole-heartedly recommend this place.

Fantastic food in a very nice setting. Little touches like the fresh bread with beef butter were much appreciated. Very highly recommended...

Absolutely fabulous meal & service - completely exceeded our wildest hopes. A foodie s delight with incredible atmosphere & lovely staff. Location is impossible to beat too, central & near attractions. The wood fired brick oven is impressive, as is the orchestration of the chef s team - get a set in that room in you can! We went for lunch & would go back again, would love to try their dinner menu.

This wonderful restaurant, currently closed thanks to plague restrictions, provided an utterly terrific Christmas Box, takeaway festive meal for us comprising some 6 courses including artichoke veloute with duck ragu, black trompettes and truffled gougeres, followed by a pressing of local game with dill mayonnaise and soda bread, then there was a choice of turkey or, our preference, fallow deer Wellington with truffle mash, honey parsnips, braised red cabbage, sprouts with chestnuts and bacon deer gravy. There was then a whole Tunworth Wreath cheese with golden raisin chutney (which we kept till the next day), and a choice of Christmas pud, or as we chose, Chocolate Yule Log with candied clementine, clementine jelly and clotted cream. Beautifully packaged and presented with the clearest instructions for cooking/heating, we collected our box on Christmas Eve and had a delicious stress-meal a deux. Isolating was a treat thanks to The Woodsman.

Excellent meal and service.

Had the most amazing meal, Im gluten free so its difficult to find places to eat, but the Woodsman and their staff went above and beyond to make my experience memorable. Thank you x

Phenomenal place. Great food, great atmosphere, great story to the sourcing of ingredients. Feels like a truly special place. Staff are second to none and cannot do enough for you. Highly reccomended and have steered many friends in the direction of the Woodsman for evening of guarenteed quality

This our favourite place for a family celebration. Excellent food, service and great atmosphere. Very talented chef who cooks with real passion.

Absolutely brilliant Sunday lunch. Fantastic menu with some great autumn seasonal additions. All of our guests roasts were cooked to perfection, Beef, Pork & Chicken. Lovely wine menu with some delicious options by the glass. Service was excellent, very reasonably priced considering the quality of produce.

Great food & very good service .Will be back

The vibes were decent, drinks were good and the food was excellent. My wife and I had the pumpkin and squash bursts and the shared venison platter, both of which were amazing. The only reason it s not 5 a is bc a) I m hypercritical and b) the service was a little slow. I know that most places are struggling to get enough well trained staff and the service was in the adequate category for me, and the quality of the food more than makes up for it. A great place and we ll worth the visit.

Amazing food, service was exquisite!

Fantastic food. And fantastic, friendly and helpful staff.

We really enjoyed our Sunday roast - food is just perfect, there were also some kids options which were not on the menu. Wood fire oven and food being grilled at the open kitchen create nice ambience, me and my girls enjoyed watching the cooking process. Would love to come again!

Amazing food

Absolutely fantastic food, good service, lovely people and a great atmosphere. I love their taste in music.

How can you give 4 stars when you didnt eat here, let me explain. Tuesday night is there Limited menu night, we didnt know there was no vegetarian options, although they offered to make one. We decided to leave and they rang round found us another venue and didnt charge us for our drinks. Great customer service, will be back to try the full menu.

We had a Christmas drink after wandering around the Christmas Market in Stratford upon Avon

Very varied and good menu. Food quality was excellent.

Located in a beautiful Grade || listed building the restaurant provides locally sourced produce based on a field to fork philosophy. Fantastic a la carte menu supported by a good wine list/spirit list and cocktail menu. The restaurant offers pre-dinner drinks in either an open bar or dinners only private area, which add to the unique experience of The Woodsman. The quality of the produce is excellent and you can tell the Chef and his service team have worked hard to deliver a great experience. If you are visiting Stratford Upon Avon The Woodsman is a must - I recommend you book in advance.

Lovely food. The service was patchy but they were very busy and I m not sure they were fully staffed. Will definitely go back when I m in the area.

Excellent lunch enjoyed today. Limited menu but results in quality ingrediants, diverse choice and cooking at high level. Front of house could do with some better training and co-ordination but staff are friendly. Good experience.

Its amazing restaurant with a high standard of service, fresh and very tasty food, if you want to know how is haven, you need to come on The Woodsmen restaurant

Absolutely wonderful..nothing is too much trouble for the staff...never in your face but always attentive... food excellent top quality coffee. Lovely loos.General decor restrained bordering on austere..uncluttered slightly lacking in ambience..beautiful building

Pricey but well worth it.Service excellent and attentive without being intrusive. Portion sizes very good.Intimate without feeling smothered definitely would revisit.

Top notch roast meats every time be it lamb,pork ,especially beef, roe deer. Must visit if you love well cooked meats of any kind .

Food and service is exceptionally good would definitely eat here again

Some of the best food Ive had in a long time. I had the signature scotch egg starter which I cannot recommend enough. The building and decor is classy and beautifully appointed, the staff are friendly and attentive without being in your face and, given the quality, the pricing and portion sizes are excellent too. We spent most of the evening after our meal telling everyone we know they should come. Thank you, Woodsman.

Nothing but good things to say about this place. Excellent service, lovely staff, great atmosphere and the food was 10/10!

Lovely building with atmosphere to match. Fine dining restaurant with game being a speciality. We thoroughly enjoyed our slow cooked Roe Deer. The service was both friendly and efficient. Also very covid conscious. Cant wait to return..

Beautiful atmosphere, modern yet warm and welcoming. Food is excelent.

Highly recommended Sunday lunch today. Superb quality, delicious tasting fresh food, with clear provenance. Excellent service from Manager Rachel and the rest of the team who are warm, friendly and passionate about the food and ensuring our lunch was the best experience they could provide. The Woodman never disappoints and the atmosphere does not suffer despite the extra precautions in place for COVID - a piece of normal

Great food and great service!

Gorgeous!!!

Great game and lovely people

The best food I have had in a while.

Amazing place, amazing food and made to feel very welcome. Loved it

Went a year ago to this fantastic, high quality restaurant. Gutted it is now closed because Stratford upon Avon put into Tier 3.....