Leafy village with 500-year-old thatched roof pub named one of England’s best

A quaint village just a 35-minute drive from Birmingham has been recognised for having one of the UK’s top pubs.

Nestled at the northernmost point of Warwickshire, Austrey is just a stone’s throw from one of the Midlands’ largest family attractions.

The picturesque village surrounded by open countryside offers idyllic springtime walks through country lanes, fields and a butterfly-filled tree plantation.

Two churches grace the village – a Baptist Church built in 1808 and St Nicholas’, dating back to the 13th century.

Austrey saw its population triple in the latter half of the 20th century as local farms were sold for housing developments, but growth has slowed recently, allowing the village to maintain much of its rural charm.

Austrey’s residential streets are adorned with large homes boasting generous driveways and manicured lawns, charming cottages and tidy new-builds. The last census recorded just 1,142 residents. 

The village hall, located in an old school building, serves as the community hub, hosting local events, classes and meetings.

The Premier store, the only shop in the village, provides essential items. Interestingly, the disused telephone box next to the Baptist Church is a listed building.

The Bird in Hand pub, the only remaining thatched roof in the village, is the most eye-catching building in the area.

This Grade II-listed pub, which dates back to the 15th century, maintains many of its original features, including gas fires in the lounge and bar area and a beer garden at the back with views of the church.

The Telegraph recently named The Bird in Hand as Warwickshire’s best pub, lauding its ‘marvellous thatched roof’ and ‘just as handsome’ interior, ‘with all the beams, nooks, crannies and more that makes the best English country pubs irresistible’.

The pub, which was featured in the 2024 and 2025 editions of the Good Beer Guide, has won numerous other awards.

It offers a variety of ales from breweries across the country and serves traditional pub food throughout the week, including a popular Sunday roast. Those from Birmingham planning a visit to Austrey could combine it with a trip to Twycross Zoo, which is just a five-minute drive away.

Drayton Manor can be reached within 25 minutes, and the National Forest is also nearby.