When we booked our night at Hotel Indigo Stratford Upon Avon and saw a Mike Robinson restaurant within the hotel, we got excited—like, super excited. So excited that I decided The Woodsman Restaurant deserves a blog post dedicated to reviewing it because more people need to know about this very British experience.
In this post, I’m talking about my personal eating experience at The Woodsman Stratford Upon Avon and sharing some reasons to add this to your travel bucket list.
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Review: The Woodsman Stratford Upon Avon
The Woodsman Restaurant Overview
If you don’t already know who Mike Robinson is, read this. He’s a chef, restaurateur, hunter-gatherer, conservationist, and the UK’s most famous game chef. He’s passionate about using sustainable ingredients in his cooking, which is reflected in the ethos of The Woodsman Restaurant.
The Woodsman was nominated as the best new restaurant in the UK in 2020, and it’s easy to understand why. Eating there is a multi-sensory experience I haven’t found in many British restaurants.
The Woodsman Restaurant Decor
The restaurant is cozy and welcoming, with indoor seats layered with cushions and textures. While the outside seating is in a pleasant courtyard, there wasn’t enough sun cover for us with the baby since it was surprisingly sunny when we visited.
What I liked about sitting inside the restaurant was the proximity to the kitchen—smack bang in the center of the dining room.
It’s the restaurant’s star attraction and gives guests an inside peek at the culinary process. I loved watching the chefs cook our food on the open wood stove. It adds an element of excitement to the experience as you feel like you’re part of the action.
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The Woodsman Restaurant Menu
Everything about the Woodsman menu is British and sustainable. Each dish is based on a field-to-table concept, where the chef and his team carefully select everything before being added to the menu. The fish comes from small Cornwall fishing boats, and the produce is sourced from nearby farms, while the deer is hunted locally and butchered on-site. This attention and care can be tasted in each meal lovingly prepared from the menu.
We ordered different dishes to sample as much as possible from the menu. My husband ordered the pigeon, followed by the deer, and I ordered the mackerel, followed by the lamb.
I’m not a restaurant critic and don’t claim to have a refined pallet—I’m a travel blogger who enjoys good food! What I can tell you is everything we ate was truly wonderful and delicious. The explosion and combination of flavors on each plate were indescribable. In other words, we liked it A LOT, and I’m still thinking about that lamb!
What I love about the Woodsman Restaurant menu is there’s something for all tastes, including vegetarian options. Everything is seasonal, so you’re guaranteed freshness and taste, and it’s very British. In what other country can you find deer, mackerel, and pigeon on the same menu?
One of the things that you can’t miss ordering is the gin. In recent years, gin has become a more popular British drink, and the Woodsman offers extraordinary blends to enrich your culinary experience.
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The Woodsman Restaurant Staff
I must mention the restaurant staff in this review, as they were knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the menu. They helped us order the best meals, were attentive, and took time, even though the restaurant was busy. Speaking of, it’s always busy, so book in advance. They were also sweet with our baby Charlie and even washed out his bowl for us.
When to Go to the Woodsman Stratford Upon Avon
The best time to go to the Woodsman Restaurant for the full effect is at night since the atmosphere is more exciting with chefs working in the kitchen on the open fire. We went for lunch because of the baby, which was also a great experience. Visit any time of year as the menu changes with the seasons—in the winter, there’s usually an open fire to keep you warm!
Wondering where to stay? Check out these options!
The White Swan Hotel
Hotel Indigo – Stratford Upon Avon
Hotel Du Vin Stratford
Europe Travel Guide Planning
🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Europe?
Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Europe which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Europe on Amazon here.
👩⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?
I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance. I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here
✈️ Any flight recommendations?
WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise, Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.
🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Europe?
I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options available!
🚗 Where can I book rental cars or private transportation?
I strongly recommend using RentalCars. They are available in more than 60.000 locations and customer service support in more than 40 languages.
📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?
I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.
With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using either Airhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.
🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?
The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia. They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.
🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?
I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack.
The Woodsman Restaurant: Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Stratford Upon Avon, I highly recommend visiting the Woodsman. Don’t come here on a budget—you’ll want to splurge on three courses and some gin! Expect to spend around £100 per person. Trust me, it’s worth it to unite all your senses with a meal that understands and honors the concept and significance of sustainable food. It’s something that I genuinely admire and want others to experience.