Refined country house dining takes on a bold new dimension at The Wood Norton, where Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell brings his unmistakable flair to one of the region’s most elegant culinary destinations. As Culinary Director, the celebrated “Yummy Brummie” has thoughtfully reimagined the hotel’s dining experience across both its signature restaurant, Fleur de Lys, and the more relaxed Lounge & Terrace menus, introducing a distinctive culinary identity that balances heritage and innovation.

At the heart of his approach is a respect for classic brasserie tradition, elevated through his signature modern British style; bold flavours, playful contrasts and a keen sense of seasonality. Carefully sourced ingredients from Worcestershire and the surrounding counties sit alongside refined technique and a lightness of touch that makes each dish feel both luxurious and approachable. The result is dining that feels perfectly attuned to The Wood Norton itself: historic yet fresh, sophisticated yet welcoming.

Within the grandeur of the hotel’s country house setting, Purnell’s menus invite guests to move effortlessly between refined evening dining and relaxed daytime indulgence, whether lingering over a multi-course dinner or sharing plates on the terrace with views across the gardens. His presence has ushered in a confident new culinary chapter for The Wood Norton, positioning it firmly as a destination for discerning diners seeking character, creativity and a true sense of place in the Worcestershire countryside.

French culinary heritage marries seasonal British

At Fleur de Lys, Purnell’s sophisticated Brasserie dinner menu marries French culinary heritage with seasonal British produce and inventive twists. Dishes such as scallops in squid bouillabaisse, masala monkfish and venison with bordelaise showcase his hallmark bold flavours, while his award-winning dessert, The Egg, brings theatrical finesse to the table. Served within the Wood Norton’s grand, historic surroundings, the experience is designed for leisurely, indulgent evenings.

Modern and sociable

For a more relaxed yet equally flavour-driven approach, Purnell’s Lounge & Terrace sharing plates offer modern, sociable dining inspired by his belief that great food is best enjoyed together. Seasonal small plates and light bites bring his signature touch to daytime dining, perfectly suited to long lunches or informal gatherings in the Worcestershire countryside.

Glynn & Tonic ∙ Gin Tasting and Dinner Experience

Adding a further layer of culinary theatre, the Wood Norton also hosts exclusive experiences such as the intimate Glynn & Tonic, an exceptional evening of flavour, craft and conversation. Glynn & Tonic, an intimate dining experience hosted by Glynn Purnell on Saturday 28 February, this exclusive event brings together Purnell’s inventive modern British cooking with the characterful, small-batch spirits of local producer Hentony Gin of Evesham.

Limited to just 20 guests, the evening has been thoughtfully designed to feel relaxed, personal and immersive. It begins in the elegant Terrace Lounge, where guests will enjoy a guided tasting of Hentony’s artisan gins, exploring their distinctive botanicals, provenance and flavour profiles. From there, the experience moves to the intimate setting of the Boardroom for dinner, where Glynn Purnell presents a specially curated menu inspired by the very gins tasted earlier in the evening. Each dish is created to echo, complement or contrast the botanicals and notes within the spirits, resulting in a cohesive and memorable gastronomic journey.

Blending local collaboration, seasonal ingredients and culinary creativity, Glynn & Tonic offers a rare opportunity to experience the chef’s food in an intimate setting, with stories, insights and flavours woven throughout the evening.

∙ BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO GLYNN & TONIC HERE ∙

Purnell’s rural retreat

Set against sweeping views of formal gardens and the Bredon Hills, The Wood Norton has become Purnell’s rural retreat, a place where heritage, landscape and contemporary gastronomy meet. Whether for refined evening dining, relaxed sharing plates or immersive culinary events, his presence ensures this historic Worcestershire hotel continues to shine as a destination for memorable food experiences.

The day we met Glynn Purnell

29 June 2025 ∙ “We were delighted to be invited to experience the launch of Glynn Purnell’s new Lounge & Terrace menu at The Wood Norton, and it turned into a truly memorable summer afternoon. Bathed in sunshine, the terrace offered an idyllic setting against the elegant backdrop of the hotel, with glasses of fizz in hand and gentle music drifting through the warm air. Glynn Purnell, affectionately known as the ‘Yummy Brummie’, was every bit as charming as expected, and his dishes were exceptional”, ~ Mette, Cotswolds Concierge.

In a region known for its rolling countryside, creative makers, and strong sense of community, Anna and Aga of Hentony Gin stands out as shining examples of what independent, locally rooted businesses and people can achieve. Crafted with care and attention to detail by the inspirational women who are both originally from Poland and now live in the Vale of Evesham, Hentony Gin reflects the spirit of the Cotswolds: thoughtful, refined and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Small-batch production

At the heart of the brand is a commitment to quality and authenticity. From carefully selected botanicals to small-batch production, every bottle is made with intention. Rather than following trends, Hentony Gin focuses on creating a balanced, elegant gin that speaks for itself; one that can be enjoyed simply, shared with friends, or paired beautifully with food. It’s this dedication to craftsmanship that has earned the brand a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.

Relationships matter

Supporting independent businesses is central to the ethos of this business. By working closely with regional partners, venues and producers, the brand plays an active role in strengthening the local economy and championing Cotswolds creativity. In a world of mass production, Hentony Gin represents a slower, more meaningful approach where relationships matter and quality always comes first.

Glynn and Tonic ∙ Craft and flavour at The Wood Norton

This commitment to collaboration and creativity is perfectly reflected in Glynn and Tonic, an exclusive evening hosted by Anna & Aga on Saturday 28 February. Limited to just 20 guests, the event begins with a guided tasting of Hentony Gin, exploring its signature botanicals and refined flavours.

The evening continues with a specially curated dining experience by Glynn Purnell, Culinary Director at The Wood Norton and one of the UK’s most respected chefs, known for his Michelin-starred career and appearances on Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen. Guests will enjoy dishes inspired by the character and botanicals of Hentony Gin, bringing together spirits and cuisine in a truly memorable way. The event is a celebration of craftsmanship, flavour and understated elegance, and a testament to what can happen when talented local businesses come together. To book, email katiebutterworth@thewoodnorton.com.

A proud part of the Cotswolds community

Beyond its award-worthy flavour and beautifully presented bottles, Hentony Gin represents something deeper: pride in place, passion for independent enterprise, and belief in doing things well. Whether found behind the bar of a local pub, served at a special event, or enjoyed at home, each glass carries a story of collaboration, creativity and care.

In supporting Hentony Gin, customers are also supporting the wider network of small businesses, makers and venues that make the Cotswolds such a vibrant and distinctive place. It’s proof that when local businesses are nurtured, everyone benefits, from producers and partners to the communities they serve.

Hentony Gin is more than a drink; it’s a celebration of local talent, independent spirit and the enduring value of doing things properly, one bottle at a time.

∙ SHOP WITH HENTONY GIN HERE ∙

The Fleur de Lys pub might be in the quiet village of Lowsonford, but it’s making a big noise in the pie-making world – boasting a proud heritage which is now famous the world over.

In fact the historic inn is the home of the pie which bore its name for many decades. Whilst the original pies ultimately became part of Pukka Pies, the Fleur de Lys team have worked hard to keep their pie legacy alive by creating the award-winning Lowsonford Pie Company – serving 11 flavours of handmade pie in the Fleur De Lys kitchen every day.

The Fleur De Lys started out as a row of three 15^th-century cottages which became canal workers’ accommodation and were later knocked together. Subsequent uses included a blacksmith’s forge and even a mortuary, from where the bodies were taken to Rowington Church in the absence of a village church at the time. The arches where they would have horse and wagons going through to build the canal can also still be seen.

Coincidentally, pies, which have been with us since the Middle Ages, were originally called ‘coffyns.’ At that time the poor ate pies made from the entrails of venison, which are called ‘umbles’ hence the expression ‘To Eat Umble Pie.’

It wasn’t until the early 20th century when the premises first opened as a tavern, later going on to introduce the ‘pioneering’ idea of serving food and giving rise to the now famous Fleur De Lys pies. The remains of the bread oven, installed in the 1930s, can still be seen at the side of the main fireplace, and it was here where the licensee at the time, began cooking his now famous Steak & Kidney and Chicken & Mushroom pies.

The Grade II listed Fleur De Lys pub first began serving pies through the infamous kitchen hatch during the 1950s, drawing crowds from all over the Midlands to sample the finest steak and kidney or chicken and mushroom pies. The pub also went on to supply its pies to chip shops all over the county, becoming a staple treat for many.

The inn was mainly frequented by farmers who’d come in for a pie and a pint after they’d finished harvesting. The licensee of The Fleur from 1950 to 1958 was Mr. Brookes, who decided to increase the scale of his venture by moving production to Emscote Mill in Warwick, and so this became the home of Fleur de Lys pie production, distributing nationwide. Indeed, most of the buildings on the Emscote Road next to the Warwick and Napton/Grand Union Canal are remembered as the home of the Fleur de Lys pie factory, also fondly associated with those familiar aromas of pie production!

But in 1964 the original pie recipe was sold to Avana Meat Products in South Wales, who were subsequently absorbed by Premier Foods. The factory at Emscote was purchased by PUKKA Pies of Syston, Leicestershire, and eventually demolished in 1993.

Determined to keep the pie legacy alive, under the auspices of current landlords Emma and Nick Woodhouse, in 2018 The Lowsonford Pie Company was born, the Fleur de Lys pies continuing tradition and once again becoming sought after – handmade and served from the Fleur De Lys kitchen.

All their artisan pies are encased in a shortcrust pastry with a puff pastry lid and, when enjoyed at the pub, come accompanied with chunky chips, seasonal veg and lashings of gravy. Uniquely, all the pies are also available to takeaway, either chilled or frozen for just £6!

The pies have also received national recognition, enjoying great success at The National Pie Awards in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Current custodians Emma and Nick Woodhouse took over as licensees of the pub from Greene King nearly 12 years ago.

Emma said: “We’d decided to take on our first pub together and this place came up for sale. I remembered it because we used to go here when we were kids, my family would bring us here. I remember swinging on the willow trees over the canal.

“When we visited we knew immediately this place could be an absolute treasure chest. It’s the perfect location and exactly what you think an Old English country pub would be like. It’s so cozy with the log fires going in the winter and a beautiful canal-side garden to enjoy in the summer months.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved in our time here so far, making the pub much more family-focused but it’s always a work in progress.

“The village was so supportive of us and that first night that we were here, they all came out in force to greet us. Despite certain changes over the years, we have tried hard to keep honouring the character of the building. But the biggest compliment for us is when people say, ‘oh, I used to come here in the 50s for a pie through the kitchen hatch, and it’s just the same as it was then, but a bit nicer!’

“We strive to make people feel like they’re home away from home, so that whenever you’re here, there’s nowhere else you’d rather be.”

A Fleur de Lys is an ancient heraldic symbol of a lily flower with three petals. It can also mean an iris, which is botanically more correct as they do have three petals. It features on many coats of arms, including that of the British Royal Family.

∙ BOOK YOUR TABLE AND STOP BY FOR A PIE HERE ∙