Galton Arms lunch review

traditional pub serving great food

Harrow Lane, Himbleton, WR9 7LQ

the pub

My Galton Arms lunch review was supposed to be a dinner review in early November – but lockdown 2 screwed up that plan. Dinner became lunch, November became December. And so I found myself arriving at this pub on the outskirts of Worcester with my eldest son, Billy, on a cold, mid-December day.

The Galton Arms is full of traditional charm, and boasts a long history as can be seen in this History of the Galton Arms. Inside are a couple of fireplaces, four eating areas, and a homely feel to the place. We were the first to arrive for lunch and received a warm greeting. We chose our table and ordered a beer to aid with the perusal of the menu.

It can’t be steeped in history without a quirk or two. In the men’s toilets the windows are clear and not opaque as is usually the case. So standing at the urinal you get a great view (see picture below). However, for people walking to or from the car park, a face at the window can mean only one thing!

What I particularly liked about the Galton Arms was the mix of customers and the general atmosphere. The diners there that lunchtime were a good mix. Pensioners enjoying a mid-week meal and a chat, the postman having a sandwich for lunch and chatting to another man at the next table, a local I believe. A couple of walkers from the next village. Two guys in hiking boots who didn’t appear to me to be locals. And others. It’s the sort of pub that makes you wish you lived in the village!

the food

starters

Billy chose the sweet Chilli & Tomato Soup and I opted for Mushroom Bruschetta in Brandy Cream. The soup was tasty with a small kick from the chilli, and was served with a large, crusty roll. My Mushroom Bruschetta was good both in quality and portion size. I was a little disappointed that there were only four starters from which to choose. Rather than a fixed flavour of soup, a soup of the day would offer more variety to a regular visitor. That said, the starters we ordered could not be faulted.

main courses

Billy enjoyed his Beer Battered Fish & Chips with Peas and Salad. The chips were crispy, and the fish tasty and succulent. The usual price for this dish is £9.50. However, Wednesday at the Galton Arms is Fish Day and we paid the exceptionally good price of £6.95. I checked out their website before our visit and was looking forward to trying the Mediterranean Sweet Chilli Stir Fry with Torn Mozzarella. On the day, having just re-opened after lockdown, this was off the menu as they had no mozarella. I said any cheese would be fine and they readily offered the dish with brie. The dish is a riot of colour. It was flavoursome, there was a good variety of textures, and the brie worked well for me. We ordered a side of onion rings which didn’t impress, although at only £1.95 they are half the price we often pay elsewhere.

Other main courses to consider are some reasonably priced steak dishes, fillet of salmon, or one of my favourites, slowly roasted belly pork.

desserts

When reviewing deserts, what better way than to order the Trio. In this case, crème brûlée, chocolate brownie, and sherry trifle. The crème brûlée was just as it should be – what else can I say? The chocolate brownie was a little dry for me. The trifle was spot on. Just perfect all the way down to the kick of sherry-soaked sponge at the bottom.

Billy ordered the sticky toffee pudding and didn’t regret it. Served with custard or ice cream, this was hot and tasty and a great way to end the meal.

around and about the Galton Arms

Less than two miles away is the Trench Wood Nature Reserve. This ancient woodland is jointly managed by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Butterfly Conservation.

A seven-mile ‘Crowle – Grafton Flyford – Huddington Court – Crowle’ circular walk can be found on the viewranger website. My Pacer shows another Crowle circular walk. In fact, on the day of our visit, a couple were having a post-walk meal and just before we left another couple of walkers turned up for lunch.

The pub is just a sixteen-minute drive from the centre of Worcester and barely six miles from the M5 motorway. For visitors to Worcester, the Galton Arms may be ideal for lunch on the way in to the city or dinner on the way home.

facilities

parking

The Galton Arms has its own car park.

disabled access

This restaurant is suitable for wheelchairs with disabled access to the restaurant and bar. Wheelchair access is only possible through the rear entrance (in the car park) to the pub.

children

Children are welcome and there is a small children’s menu. High chairs are available and there are also baby changing facilities.

toilets

The toilets were clean and there is a disabled toilet.

take-aways

Take-away food is available.