Accredited for beer quality 2022
A charming and homely pub tucked away under the Stiperstones range. The public bar (to the right of the front entrance) is rather plain, but the little lounge (to the left) has its own charm provided by low beams, log fire, coppers, old photos and some local paintings. The pub has been in the same family for 55 years (2023) and it's good to see that this room has changed little. There are also two separate dining rooms.
Whilst the Stiperstones is very much integrated into the life of this rather isolated Shropshire Hills community, it is also a pub for outdoor folk. There are plenty of attractions close by, the pub is close to walk number 13 in the Walking with Offa series, and the landlady has even identified a couple of walks from the pub. A different sort of "walk" though is the pub's traditional Boxing Day Dash and Dawdle! The area is noted for wild whinberries, hence their appearance as an ingredient in the pies served on the menu, and the jam available for purchase. Unfortunately the cellar is small so two beers may not always be available. On the route of the Shropshire Hills Shuttle bus during the summer months.
The pub has for sale a range of flavoured gins (including the probably unique Whinberry Gin amde at the pub) in 25cl bottles.
Historic Interest
On the way up the hill from Plox Green, look out for the former Cross Guns Inn, Snailbeach (now cottages, but was still operating as a pub in the 1920s).
Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest
Listed status: Not listed
A pub since 1840, the Stiperstones has been in the same family for 45 years and has changed little since a late 1950s refit. The lobby retains its off-sales hatch in a glazed screen then, on the left, is the lounge which is fully panelled in typical 1950s style. The counter appears to be from the same era, as do the fireplace and fixed seating, but the bar back could be somewhat later - the mirror mosaic in the fittings was popular in the 1960s. More 1950s work in the public bar (curved counter, plain bar back, brick fireplace and fixed seating) though the exposed brick dado seems to be of a later date. The two dining rooms at the back have a few old fittings. Out-buildings have been converted into a well-stocked village shop.
Claims to built in 1750 and a pub since 1840, the Stiperstones Inn has been 45 years in the same family and appears little altered since a refitting in the late 1950s. The lobby still retains its off sales hatch in a glazed screen. On the left is the lounge bar which is completely panelled in a style that looks to be from the 1950s. The counter also looks to be from the 1950s with a red Formica top, the bar-back fitting has some mirror mosaic popular in the 1960s with the main shelf is of red Formica, the fireplace is a 1950s brick one and the fixed seating could also be from the 1950s.
The public bar on the right has a bar counter from the 1950s that curves on the left side and has a black Formica top, the bar back fitting is plain with a main shelf of black Formica there is another 1950s brick fireplace with a copper floor surround and the bench seating might date from the 1950s. There is an exposed brick dado which might be more 1970s than 1950s. There are two dining rooms at the rear. Outside gents' (modernised). On the left of the pub out-buildings have been converted to a well stocked village shop, which sadly lost its Post Office operation in recent years.
This Pub serves no changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Stiperstones Inn, Stiperstones