Wednesday 6 April 2011

The Plough and Harrow, Monknash

My choice for lunch, on my birthday, was The Plough and Harrow in Monknash, in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan.

The pub dates from 1383. It was part of a Cistercian monastery complex, under the jurisdiction of Neath Abbey, until 1536; then a “lobby entrance house” owned by the Stradling family of St. Donat’s. It was reputed to be the home of the "Wreckers of Wick" who tied lanterns round the necks of sheep on the cliff tops to lure ships onto the jagged rocks where they would be plundered.

On entering the pub, there is the welcoming sweet-smoke smell of a log fire. On the walls are historic photos, old musical instruments (they have live music on Saturdays) and assorted old-pub bric-a-brac. The food, beer and cider menus are written along the ceiling beams and on blackboards. I had a rich beef and ale casserole (with steamed vegetables and chips). My partner had the Glamorgan sausages.

The Plough and Harrow supports microbreweries, so in addition to the regular house ales (e.g., Bass, Wye Valley and Hancocks) they serve an interesting selection of real ales from smaller breweries. Today, I sampled PG Steam from the RCH Brewery (Somerset) and Amber Glider from Newman’s Brewery in Caerphilly.

The management has changed recently, but the very high standards are being maintained.








The Plough and Harrow
Monknash, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7QQ

Tel: 01656 890209

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