Of the wealth of heritage timber frame buildings in Ledbury, The Feathers Hotel stands out by virtue of its sheer size and prominence on the High Street. Alight from the 232 Daffodil Line Bus at the similarly timbered Market House, walk up to the pedestrian crossing and the façade fills your vision.
Built in the 16th century, and originally two houses, the building extends to the rear abutting the Master’s House complex, with an arched coach entrance to the car park off New Street and a pedestrian alleyway to the St. Katherines car park. For years a family run concern and fine example of a small market town hotel, the Feathers Hotel is an institution in the town. When some years ago it was absorbed into a small chain, The Coaching Inn Group, there were some concerns but these proved groundless, as the quality of service and facilities have matched the standards set by the previous owners, preserving the historical attributes of the building while adding modern elements.

Through the original entrance, the bar area has comfortable settles and low tables and some bar stools. The lounge area has exposed timber framing, a large fireplace and a range of armchair seating. A recently refurbished large coffee shop area provides plenty of extra seating with a gallery-like collection of framed artwork. Outside, the courtyard is accessed from the entrance archway that must have received coaches in the past, and is a pleasant sun trap in the afternoons, with an elevated leafy shaded area with plenty of seating.
In the bar there is a clear commitment to serving quality cask-conditioned ale, confirmed by long -standing award of inclusion in the Camra Good Beer Guide. Three hand pumps on the bar all serve beers from Ledbury Real Ales, who are a great asset to the brewing community of the area. Started by Ant and Kate Stevens in 2012, and located just out of Ledbury on the Hereford Road, Ledbury Real Ales brew a core range of Gold, Bitter, and Dark beers. A sustainability expert, Ant applies his principles with solar panels, battery storage and reed beds for waste water treatment. Ant makes the most of the proximity of high quality hop growers, with the majority of beers using locally grown hops. In addition to the core range, they have developed a range of small batch beers, using hop varieties not traditionally grown in the area to expand the available flavour profiles and reduce shipping miles. These are often part of the Worcestershire-based Charles Faram hop breeding programme which works with local growers to promote flavour profiles and disease resistance, often starting from a small number of individual plants.
The Feathers support these activities by serving the Ledbury Real Ales Small Batch beers when they are released, and in the late summer, the Green Beers featuring named hop varieties taken straight from the bines to the brewing kettle, preserving characteristics that can be lost in the kilning process.
Other beers on the bar are craft ales on draught include Camden Lager, and Pale with some international lagers and local ciders. The chiller cabinet offers further beer selection including 0.5% ABV Adnams Ghost Ship.
As you would expect from a bar serving a large restaurant, the wine list is extensive and well-chosen, with by the glass options in two sizes. An extensive cocktail menu with gin and tonics and the presentation can be memorable. For low and no alcohol drinks,The Feathers offers one of the best ranges in Ledbury, with mocktails, beers, wines, and ciders. Fruit juices, teas and coffees complete the printed drinks menu which now runs to twenty pages.
The food menus are served throughout the bar areas, including small plates and sandwiches. Only the restaurant section can be pre-booked.

Accessibility – Ramps available through the coffee shop entrance.
Dogs welcome on leads in the bar and coffee shop area.
Note that payments are by card only.
The Feathers Hotel,
25 High Street, Ledbury,
Herefordshire, HR8 1DS
Phone: 01531 635266
Email: feathers.ledbury@innmail.co.uk
