Harden's survey result
Summary
“Our favourite restaurant when in Wales” – this “treasure” of a gastropub was made famous in the 1970s (by Ann and Franco Taruschio) and under Shaun HIll (at the stoves since 2008) “maintains an enviable reputation” for “dizzyingly good food in the absolute middle of nowhere”. Regulars say it’s “like going to dine with an old friend in complete relaxation”, but with “top-flight” cuisine that’s also grounded and “making extensive use of excellent local produce” (“the best ever lamb…”, “unbelievable cheese soufflé…”, “great value lunch with pork rillettes with pickles and toast”). And it’s quite “reasonably priced” too. Aged 74, Shaun has been threatening to step back for years: “make sure you get there before he retires!”
Summary
Shaun Hill’ “comfortable and comforting restaurant” – a rural pub made famous in the 1970s by the Taruschios and co-owned by Shaun since 2008 – maintains its position as one of Wales’s most commented-on destinations. Although not quite at the heights it has sometimes achieved, “excellent local produce is served simply and well” and “the menu shows classical training with sparks of Asian and middle-European influences”.
Summary
“Shaun Hill’s cookery book is great”: “so full of clear sanity and common sense – qualities that shine through in all you are served” at this famous, rural Welsh pub (which was established in the 1970s as a pioneering foodie mecca under former owners, Franco & Ann Taruschio; and which Shaun has run for the last decade). It’s “an unfussy but welcoming environment” – “a bustling dining room full of people very happily tucking in, and with nice associated cottages to stay in”. Its ratings suffered last year though, with a new theme in reports that it’s “still good, but a bit in decline”: “no complaints, but it was just not the superb meal we were expecting”.
Summary
“Shaun Hill’s cookery book is great”: “so full of clear sanity and common sense – qualities that shine through in all you are served” at this famous, rural Welsh pub (which was established in the 1970s as a pioneering foodie mecca under former owners, Franco & Ann Taruschio; and which Shaun has run for the last decade). It’s “an unfussy but welcoming environment” – “a bustling dining room full of people very happily tucking in, and with nice associated cottages to stay in”. Its ratings suffered this year though, with a new theme in reports that it’s “still good, but a bit in decline”: “no complaints, but it was just not the superb meal we were expecting”.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Walnut Tree?
Owner's description
The food is an eclectic mix, based on Shaun Hill’s personal taste, paired with sound cooking techniques; rather than a particular country's cuisine. A unifying feature is the core of excellent ingredients.
Shaun Hill is one of Britain's most enduringly successful chefs. He began his career in 1966, working for Robert Carrier in his Islington restaurant. He went on to work in some of London's most prestigious addresses including The Capital Hotel in Knightsbridge with Brian Turner and Blakes in South Kensington.
He won a Michelin star for Gidleigh Park in Devon where he was a key player in the Modern British food movement of the late 80's that fused local, seasonal produce with global influences.
The Merchant House, his much missed 24 seat Michelin-starred restaurant in Ludlow was hailed as the 14th best in the world and turned the Shropshire market town into a gastronomic destination.
Shaun currently holds a Michelin star at The Walnut Tree where he was a regular customer when it was run by Franco Taruschio. The restaurant fell on hard times after Taruschio sold up in 2001, only recovering when Hill took the reins in 2008.
Along the way, he's forged a unique style with a string of timeless dishes including scallops with lentil and coriander sauce that are as distinctive and delicious now as the day he created them.
If you are looking for accommodation, there are two cottages, both next door to The Walnut Tree just a short walk through the garden. The cottages are called the Old Post Office Cottage and Ivy Cottage.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £40.00 | £45.00 |  |
|
|
Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £18.00 | £36.00 | £6.00 | £12.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £38.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £6.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
The Walnut Tree Restaurant Diner Reviews
"A long-time favourite. Food still excellent and service seamlessly efficient but we felt it had now got very expensive and rather more formal than it was. We did previously love the very relaxed interactive service that instantly made one feel at home rather than the object of service. Having said that they are clearly one of the very few hospitality venues that we have visited recently that is capable of retaining exceptionally well trained staff. Overall a lovely evening but will not so often be at the top of our local choices. It was good whilst it lasted as it was."
"Loved it. A sentimental journey after celebrating my 50th at the Merchant House when Sean Hill was cooking in Ludlow"
Llanddewi Skirrid, Llandewi Skirrid, NP7 8AW
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
