The Fleece Inn at Bretforton, four miles east of Evesham, is a half-timbered medieval farmhouse built in the early 15th century as a longhouse sheltering a farmer and his stock, and first licensed as a pub in 1848. It stayed in the same family for more than 500 years until Lola Taplin, who ran it alone for her final three decades, left it to the National Trust on her death in 1977. Badly damaged by fire in 2004 and reopened the following year, it keeps its witches' circles and pewter collection and has a reputation for folk music, morris dancing and Vale of Evesham asparagus in season. Reviewers rate the pies above everything, with well-kept real ales and a warm welcome; there are bedrooms for an overnight stay, dogs are welcome and there is a garden and orchard outside. One tip from regulars: there is no car park, only limited parking in the village square, which is not National Trust.
