Queens Head, 53-54 Ely Street, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, CV37 6LN [Map]
01789 204914 
11:30-23 MO-SA; 12-22:30 SU
Accommodation, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Rail Station Near Pub, Campsite At / Near Pub

Danny, Anna, Annabelle & myself outside the
Queen's Head, August 1997 - Tim took the photo

The best pub for beer in Stratford. Also a great pub for a quick lunchtime snack that won't cost an arm and a leg. Pop in there for a bacon and brie baguette. Food is also available during the evenings too but only on Fridays and Saturdays. Great beers! They always have Draught Bass as well as the West Midlands favourite Brew XI (which is generally not that nice but certainly very drinkable in the Queen's Head). You'll also discover that they have a guest beer on offer too. I tried Orkney Skullsplitter there once, an incredibly strong brew brewed way up north. The guest beers are always carefully chosen and excellently kept and the barman is always more than willing to offer advice as to their taste - I wish that every pub provided that essential service.

The pub was built in the 18th-century and sits in a side street away from the main tourist traps and tends to be more relaxed - definitely a pub where Stratford locals go for a drink. They've also a courtyard out the back with hanging baskets, picnic tables lit with candles during warm Summer evenings and they put a clever gas heater on during those slightly cooler nights.

To find the pub, find the High Street, wander along it until you reach Pizzahut, turn up Ely Street and you'll find it a short way up on the right.