Reviews & Testimonials

From the Shropshire Star

The Boycott Arms
Upper Ludstone, Claverley. Star Rating ***

I overshot the turn-off for the Boycott Arms near Claverley even though I thought I knew where it was, tucked away just off the Dudley to Telford road. But it was as dark as pitch at the time and I was part-dazzled by a lorry's headlights. I suspect other travellers may also whizz by without realising that this traditional country pub offers an excellent stopping-off point for a hearty meal in informal surroundings.
After enduring a frantic episode of Christmas shopping, a pub meal offered a welcome respite from the noisy, neon-lit stores and their headache-inducing special offers. The Boycott Arms was dimly-lit. It was not pumping out piped music and there was plenty of room to move around and to lift your elbows without nudging a well-fed lady next you.
We did encounter an initial hiccup, how¬ever. The bubbly girl at the bar was most wel¬coming and invited us to choose seats in the dining lounge or in the restaurant room next door. I parked myself on a comfortable, high-backed bench seat next to a radiator lounge and studied the menus.
I suppose I'm used to being waited on hand and foot and expected a waitress to appear. After 25 minutes I noticed a wooden spoon with our table number on it deduced we were expected to order at the bar. My faux par.
After this minor slip everything went swimmingly. They have an extensive choice (unless you are a vegetarian that is, as there seems to be only two starters and one main course - Italian three-bean casserole).
To begin with I looked no further than the Thai fish cakes with (a throat-warming) chilli sauce, thinly sliced cucumber strips and salad bits (£4.75). It was top notch, particularly the spicy sauce which I mopped up with some of Libby's fresh, chunky bread. This bread came from "the little shop down the road", apparently. I must call in.
Libby had several generous slices by way of her deep-fried whitebait with tartare sauce (£4.50). She's a fish fan, and knows her whitebait. I thought it was fine but she judged it was a little lacking in flavour. Blame the fish, I say.
Our plates were promptly cleared away and I had barely noted the stained glass, leaded windows, faded prints, deceptive little step up into the gents corridor, the Toby jugs and rustic garden hoe when the lamb arrived. Coincidentally we had both chosen lamb although the meals were entirely different. Libby had ordered Moroccan lamb with apricot and pine nuts with rice (£10.25). I went for the lamb shank in a rich, red wine gravy with new potatoes and vegetables (large chunks of carrots and a broccoli head).
We both enjoyed the lamb. Libby pronounced the Moroccan, tagino-style slow-cooked veg excellent and I said the same about my accompaniments. The only difference was I finished all of mine. The Boycott Arms serves full, not vast, portions, which I was happy to see.
Time then to digest and relax and contemplate the desserts. There was banana split, cheesecake, etc, all £4.75. I eventually compromised between being sensible and gluttonous and agreed to share a red berry Pavlova with Libby. It came in a huge dish, with lots of sliced banana, kiwi fruit, red berries, ice-cream and cream and even a physalis . . . and two spoons. Very little was left.
The Boycott Arms is being expertly run by Janice Giles and Joanne Tolley and has earned a reputation for good food. It was a customer who suggested it should be reviewed. If there is any criticism it can be directed at the smoke-stained paintwork. Little excuse now for that.

Rex M. Key

From the Express & Star

Herman Melville wrote in Moby Dick that the best sensation of warmth is experienced when part of you is freezing cold.
It was an anecdote which came back to me when I pulled up a chair by the roaring fire at The Boycott Arms, off Bridgnorth Road near Claverley, between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth.
The warm glow to the cheeks had the maximum effect because I was chilled to the bone having been out for a trek in the country. The fireplace is the centrepiece for the pub's cosy interior and traditional feel, making it the perfect setting to enjoy a leisurely meal over a pint of ale or a glass of wine.
Continuing with the Moby Dick connections, fish is apparently the chef's main speciality in an extensive menu.
I opted for deep fried whitebait for a starter, while my partner indulged with oak smoked salmon. There was plenty of food with both which were accompanied by triangles of wholegrain bread and a skillfully carved wedge of lemon.
For main courses we ordered off the seasonal extras menu. My partner chose Morroccan chicken with rice - the African twist being a spicy aromatic sauce of pine nuts, apricots and spinach.
For myself, Harlech lamb just got the nod over the trio of fish. This was a whole shank braised in red wine which fell off the bone - I felt like a medieval lord tucking into this drumstick which was slightly crisp on the outside and wonderfully succulent on the inside. Equal care had been taken when preparing the new potatoes, carrots, broccoli and gravy.
Vegetarians might struggle because the Italian three bean casserole is the token non-meat dish depending on how you classify fish.
And at just over £30 for all of the above including one round of drinks, it is at the pricy end for pub restaurant fare. The barman expressed surprise that I had got through all of my whitebait. A solution would be to serve less and drop the price.
Nevertheless, the meal was a hearty experience and no-one would argue with The Boycott Arms' statement at the top of its menu that it is "The Home of Really Good Food."

Matt Davies

From the Express & Star

Five star standards are set at the pub in the country
In the tranquil surroundings of Shropshire's countryside, you would be easily mistaken for thing that The Boycott Arms was miles away from Wolverhampton. But just over the border into Shropshire, the pub nestles in picturesque meadows just a few minutes drive from the city centre.
The country pub and restaurant is well known for its meals and cosy settings with people flocking from miles around to get a taste of the home-cooked morsels. The friendly faces behind the bar are always welcoming and can't do enough to help while you wait for your food.
Sunday lunches are served between 12.30pm and 2.30pm when roast dinners are on offer, and after that, the regular menu is available. The charming, cosy and relaxed environment means guests cane either sit in the bar area or in the restaurant, but either way you order at the bar.
The pub proprietors pride themselves on being 'the home of really good food' and offer a wide ranging menu of simple dishes. You can select from a wide range of starters including smoked salmon, potato wedges and mussels, and the main courses include a fantastic range of fish dishes, steaks and vegetarian options.
There are also a full range of specials including more refined dishes like tarragon chicken, trio of pork or salmon with lime and coriander. Service is swift and with a smile. For those with enough room left for dessert, there's home made apple pie, fruit pavlova and ice cream on offer.

Katy Hastings