Pub of the Week: The Winterbourne Abbas Coach Arms Inn

The pub, just off the A35 in the centre of Winterbourne Abbas, has been enjoying success since it reopened following a takeover and major renovation in 2020.

Originally a coach house, the building was built more than 200 years ago in 1814.

The original coaching arch was boarded up when new owners Lee and Jo Worsley took over the site, but the boards have since been removed. During its early years horses would have made their way through the building, and now what is the pub’s main entrance towards the stables.

The historic Coach House Inn (Image: The Coach House Inn) General manager Angela Molloy said that opening in 2020 was a tough decision. She said: “It was a bit of a nightmare, and at the time after we renovated all of the downstairs, and we ended up opening on the day before the first lockdown.

“The entire first year we were opening and closing due to the lockdowns and the rules changing. It was definitely a strange way to start a business."

Being on the main road has definitely has its perks, according to Angela, who said: “We do have a heavy stream of traffic outside so we have lots of people stopping off on a long journey, and there aren’t that many places to stop on the A35 so it’s a nice break for people.

“We have rooms here as well, so it’s not uncommon for people to stay on their way through.”

Angela Molloy, general manager of the Coach House Inn (Image: The Coach House Inn) Asked what her favourite part of running the pub is, she said: “I really like the building, there’s just something really nice about it with lots of space, and because we’re on the main road, we get both locals and people from all over the world - it’s great.”

Speaking about the food on offer, Angela said the pub serves the usual pub classics, including fish and chips and scampi. They also source all their beef for burgers and steaks from a local farm. This month the pub is rolling out a new menu, featuring duck leg confit, braised beef short rib and risotto. 

Food from the Coach House Inn (Image: The Coach House Inn) Angela said: “Sunday is one of our busiest days of the week as we serve a carvery. Luckily we have a large floor space, with plenty of seating. Last week we had two tables of 15 sat, along with walk-ins and other reservations.”

The spacious seating at the Coach House Inn (Image: The Coach House Inn) Speaking about the beers on offer, Angela said that the bar stocks five lagers on tap which are changed at least once a year, and because they’re on the road, the pub offers a selection of seven non-alcoholic beverages on selection.

The pub will also be launching a takeaway service on Just Eat later this month for villages within around a five mile radius.

Talking about the decision to go online, Angela said: “Where we are in a village people don’t often have the service, or are given little choice over delivery options. We’re hoping to provide a service to fill that hole- we’ll also be launching pizzas as part of this.”