A COUNTRY pub near Ludlow has been named Shropshire Pub of the Year.

The Tally Ho Inn at Bouldon in Corvedale was handed the 2024 award by The Pub and Bar Magazine.

The pub, which reopened in July last year after months of closure, has gone from strength to strength and now has a very prestigious award to add to its achievements, a pub spokesperson said.

Chef Mark Harris and Sarah Cowley who also jointly manage last year's winner, the Pheasant at Neenton, said they are still in shock after finding that they had successfully joined the select group of Shropshire’s best pubs.

After taking on the country venue 15 minutes from foodie Ludlow, Mr Harris and Ms Cowley have worked to build a thriving venue that combines all the virtues and atmosphere of a great local with food that people will drive out time and again to enjoy.

They have been at the helm at the Tally Ho, with the help of a small and friendly team of local staff, many of whom have never worked in the industry before, since July. 

Ms Cowley, who manages the team alongside front-of-house manager Ellie Harman, said: “ It is such a massive achievement for the team, who have all worked incredibly hard in challenging economic circumstances to bring life back to this pub in such a short amount of time.

"We have really tried to create a warm and friendly environment, while also being sympathetic to its history as a rural, country inn.”

The Tally Ho had previously been closed for around six months.

Mr Harris, recently a national finalist for Chef of the Year in the Great British Pub Awards, said: “It is really great to be recognised for this award, not just for the customers and staff of the Tally Ho, but as it helps us to promote all that Shropshire has to offer, like working with small, local suppliers and sustainable Shropshire produce. 

“We have such an abundance of local ingredients here in Shropshire which we will continue to showcase on our menus alongside sustainably sourced British fish and seafood.”

Ms Cowley said they are "incredibly proud" of everyone involved, and that they hope they can take the Tally Ho all the way when the national winners are announced in June in London.