The Herbert Arms has been part of Chirbury village life for generations
Dating back to the 18th century, this former coaching inn sits close to the Shropshire and Mid Wales border, with a long history of welcoming locals, travellers, farmers, families and friends.
After being closed for several years, the pub was reopened by Matt and Ailsa in 2026 following a £250,000 refurbishment. Their aim was not to turn it into something it was never meant to be, but to bring a much-loved village pub back to life with warmth, care and really good food at its heart.
Back at the heart of Chirbury
The focus since reopening has been simple, to create a pub that works day to day, with a strong food offer built around beef, local supply and consistent cooking.
Today, The Herbert Arms is set up as a place to drop in for a drink, stay for a meal,
or visit as a destination, with the same approach running through everything, good sourcing, straightforward cooking and a pub that feels settled back into the village.
Built on experience
Matt began his career at Hobsons Brewery before moving into pub management, later running The Charlton Arms and The Church Inn for Cedric and Claude Bosi, followed by Bennetts End. Ailsa brings her own experience from hospitality across Shropshire, with a natural understanding of how a good pub should feel from both sides of the bar.
Together, Matt and Ailsa now run The Cross Keys and The Herbert Arms, bringing together a love of proper pubs, local suppliers, good food and friendly service.
A clear and simple ambition
The vision for The Herbert Arms is straightforward: to keep the pub at the heart of the community while serving food that makes people want to travel a little further.
That means dry-aged steaks, proper pub favourites, local ales, generous Sunday lunches and a warm welcome every time you visit. Nothing fussy. Nothing forced. Just a proper village pub, brought back with care.
