Yorkshire Pub Goes from Ploughing the Fields to Ploughing Through the Michelin Guide
21 Jan 2025
Well, well, well! What do we have here? A charming 16th-century Yorkshire inn has just strutted its way into the prestigious Michelin Guide, and we’re more excited than a Yorkshire pudding rising in a hot oven. The Plough at Wombleton (yes, that’s a real place, and it’s absolutely delightful) has managed this feat within its first year under new management. Not too shabby, eh?
New Kids on the Block (Actually, They’re Pretty Experienced)
Richard and Lindsey Johns, the dynamic duo behind this success story, only took over The Plough at Wombleton in late 2023, but don’t let that fool you – these hospitality veterans know their onions (and their Yorkshire produce, for that matter). While Richard’s been working his magic in the kitchen with seasonal ingredients from across the North, Lindsey’s been charming the socks off guests with service that’s warmer than that roaring fire they’ve got going in winter.
The Plough at Wombleton: More Gongs Than Your Nan’s Mantelpiece
The Plough isn’t just a one-hit wonder, mind. Before catching Michelin’s eye, they’d already bagged themselves a spot in the Estrella Top 100 Gastro Pubs list 2024 and earned a ‘Good’ rating in the Good Food Guide 2024. At this rate, they’ll need a bigger trophy cabinet than Real Madrid.
From Tyres to Triumphs: A Bit of Michelin History
Now, here’s a fun fact to whip out at your next pub quiz: The Michelin Guide actually started as a clever marketing ploy to sell more tyres! Back in 1889, the Michelin brothers thought, “You know what would make people drive more? A guide telling them where to find a decent meal!” Genius, really. Fast forward to today, and The Plough joins an elite club of just 1,206 UK restaurants listed in the Guide.
What the Michelin Inspectors Said (They Were Pretty Chuffed)
The mysterious Michelin inspectors (who we imagine wear excellent disguises) were particularly impressed when they visited The Plough at Wombleton, with Chef Richard’s “hearty dishes that are classically and wholly enjoyable” – including a pork chop that apparently knocked their socks off. They also noted the inn’s character, from its beamed ceiling to its summer beer garden. Because let’s face it, what’s a proper Yorkshire pub without a decent beer garden?
Humble Pie (Which Isn’t Actually on the Menu)
Speaking about their achievement, Richard and Lindsey remained characteristically Yorkshire-modest: “We’ve just tried to do our best,” they said, which in Yorkshire-speak means they’ve probably been working their socks off. They’ve promised not to let this change what they do, though we reckon their booking line might be a tad busier now.
So, if you fancy a bit of Michelin-approved grub in a proper Yorkshire setting (somewhere between the Howardian Hills and the North York Moors, to be precise), you know where to head. Just don’t all rush at once to the Plough at Wombleton – we still need to get a table ourselves!
(Photos credited to Olivia Brabbs)
For more amazing Yorkshire pubs, similar to The Plough at Wombleton, read one of our 5-of-the-best articles below. The 5 Cosiest Pubs in Yorkshire…
