The Inn at Freshford

The Inn at Freshford is a historic public house in the village of Freshford, near Bath in Somerset, England. It sits at The Hill, Freshford, BA2 7WG, roughly 15 minutes by car from central Bath or about 9 minutes by train, making it a countryside destination for both local residents and visitors. The pub describes itself as a beloved local institution that has served locals and travellers for centuries, combining seasonal British cooking with well-kept ales, a curated wine list, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks. In December 2025 the pub was purchased by William Cartwright-Hignett and his wife Marianne. William had known and loved The Inn all his life and comes from the neighbouring Iford Manor Kitchen & Estate, which he owns. Their stated ethos centres on community, hospitality, heritage and sustainability, with the aim of letting guests escape the stresses of everyday life and enjoy food and drink in a warm, welcoming setting. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Matthew Briddon, who comes from the award-winning Iford Manor Kitchen. The menu focuses on innovative modern British dishes using quality ingredients from local producers, much of it grown, grass-fed and reared on the adjacent approximately 1,000-acre Iford Manor Estate. Sustainability is presented as central to the seasonal food offering. The drinks programme is headed by Iford Cider, co-founded in 2016 by William Cartwright-Hignett with Joe Abbott and made nearby, never from concentrate. Lagers and ales are mostly brewed in Somerset or a neighbouring county. The pub also serves its own Two Valleys Lager, crafted by William in collaboration with True Story Brewing, which is unique to The Inn at Freshford and The Cross Guns at Avoncliff. A garden is part of the offering, reinforcing the countryside setting. As a commercial entity, The Inn at Freshford is a privately owned pub business rather than a listed company. Its identity is closely tied to the Iford Manor Estate hospitality group, and its proposition blends heritage pub culture with modern British dining and a strong local-sourcing story.

The Inn at Freshford is a public house in the village of Freshford, in Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset, England. It is located at The Hill, Freshford, near Bath, BA2 7WG. The pub presents itself as a beloved local institution that has served locals and visitors for centuries, although the exact date of its establishment is not given in the available sources. For much of its modern life the pub operated as a countryside local and dining destination within easy reach of Bath, roughly 15 minutes by car from the city centre or about 9 minutes by train. Its offer combined seasonal British cooking with well-kept ales, wines and hospitality in a rural setting. A significant turning point came in December 2025, when William Cartwright-Hignett and his wife Marianne purchased The Inn. William had known and loved the pub all his life and is associated with the neighbouring Iford Manor Kitchen & Estate, which he owns. The acquisition connected the pub to the Iford Manor hospitality and estate operation, including its approximately 1,000-acre estate used for growing and rearing ingredients. Following the purchase, the new owners set out an ethos centred on community, hospitality, heritage and sustainability. Executive Chef Matthew Briddon, from the award-winning Iford Manor Kitchen, took charge of the kitchen team, focusing on innovative modern British dishes made with quality ingredients from local producers and from the adjacent Iford Manor Estate. The drinks programme was also aligned with the estate's wider interests. Iford Cider, co-founded in 2016 by William Cartwright-Hignett with Joe Abbott and produced nearby without concentrate, heads the drinks list. Lagers and ales are mostly brewed in Somerset or a neighbouring county. The pub also introduced its own Two Valleys Lager, crafted by William in collaboration with True Story Brewing, available uniquely on tap at Freshford and at The Cross Guns at Avoncliff. A garden forms part of the pub's setting. As of the available evidence, The Inn at Freshford continues to operate as a privately owned pub and dining destination, with its identity closely tied to the Cartwright-Hignett family and the Iford Manor Estate.

• Iford Cider co-founded by William Cartwright-Hignett with Joe Abbott, later heading the drinks list at The Inn at Freshford.

• The Inn at Freshford purchased by William and Marianne Cartwright-Hignett of Iford Manor Estate.

• Executive Chef Matthew Briddon of Iford Manor Kitchen takes charge of the kitchen at The Inn at Freshford.

A heritage countryside pub offering modern British seasonal food, local drinks and warm British hospitality, with sustainability and community at its core.

• Iford Cider

  Cider co-founded in 2016 by William Cartwright-Hignett with Joe Abbott, made nearby and never from concentrate.

• Two Valleys Lager

  Lager crafted by William in collaboration with True Story Brewing, unique on tap at Freshford and The Cross Guns at Avoncliff.

• Modern British seasonal menu

  Innovative modern British dishes using quality ingredients from local producers and the adjacent Iford Manor Estate.

1. 1The Inn at Freshford | Explore & Dine Todaytheinnatfreshford.com
2. 2The Inn Public House - Wikidatawikidata.org