OPENING HOURS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Monday to Thursday 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 11pm
Friday to Saturday 11am to 11pm
Sunday 12.00 to 10.30pm
Food serving times:
12.00 to 2.00pm and 6.30pm to 9.00pm
The Malt Shovel is a very attractive pub in the small village of Gaydon,
Warwickshire. A large bar, a staged seating area with stained glass windows,
solid wood and comfortable furniture, all contribute to make this a very popular pub.
Locals enjoy the excellent food, beer and friendly atmosphere
as well as visitors from further afield.
Official Website:
Click here
Telephone Number:
01926 641221
Map: See below.
BACKGROUND
The documented history of the Malt Shovel doesn't go back very far although it is known that the building dates back to the 1500s. The original door is still in place and now forms part of a small dining area. The pub has been owned and run by Richard and Debi Morisot from 2000 and they cook the food, serve at the bar and chat with their visitors. This is no faceless, plastic pub, the Malt Shovel is a slice of mid England country life at its best. The owners have been in the pub and catering trade for 30 years and the quality of the food and drinks reflects this.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE MALT SHOVEL, GAYDON
As you enter the pub, the main dining area is to the left with the bar and seating area to the right. It's quite a large pub but the atmosphere and decor give it a pleasantly intimate atmosphere. At the end of the seating area is an eye catching raised seating area with comfy lounge type seats and a stained glass window, very pleasant. The interior has lots of ceiling beams.
There is outdoor seating and tables at the front of the pub and from spring onwards the display of bedding plants is truly impressive. In part of the car park there is the local Gaydon Village Store which stocks all the basics of life and some luxuries.
The Malt Shovel is situated literally only two minutes drive from junction 12 of the M40 making it an ideal mid point stop over for those driving North to South or South to North. It is the nearest pub, by several miles, to junction 12 of the M40. Pub food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are served at the Malt Shovel which far surpass those found at the nearest motorway services and at far better prices.. If you need to buy anything at the Gaydon Village shop, it's in the Malt Shovel car park. The ideal alternative arrangement to boring and expensive motorway services.
One further advantage to a stop-over at the Malt Shovel is that the Gaydon petrol services are only one minute drive away! Prices for petrol are of course far cheaper compared to the nearest motorway services.
So let's just recap on the facilities available in Gaydon which make it a superb alternative to any of the M40 services; The Malt Shovel, a tip top quality pub serving delicious food and drinks, a village shop which stocks a good range of everyday items (delicious fresh bread daily!) and a large petrol station. All providing you with food and goods which are far cheaper than those at any M40 motorway services and service is with a smile.
THE FOOD AND DRINK
The lunchtime menu has a good choice of paninis, freshly made sandwiches, baguettes (try the delicious hot sausage one) or ploughmans. Don't forget the unforgettable Malt Shovel Big Breakfast, homemade cooking at its very best. The Sunday lunch menu includes Roast Ribeye of beef with all the trimmings.
The Malt Shovel is a very family friendly pub and welcomes children of all ages.
SERVICE
We have visited the Malt Shovel when it's busy and when it's not busy and service has always been prompt and pleasant.
PRICES
You can check out the prices for the menus listed in the paragraphs above. Our opinion of the prices is that they represent very good value for money considering the food quality, presentation and service.
NEARBY ALTERNATIVES
If you are looking for a pub close to Junction 12 of the M40 then really the Malt Shovel is your best bet. The nearby Gaydon Inn is now closed and the nearest alternative pub (no village shop) is the Red Lion in Northend (also now closed), three or four miles away.
OPINIONS FROM OTHER REVIEW SITES
There are many reviews of the Malt Shovel on the internet and all the ones we read are complimentary. Overall we estimate that the Malt Shovel scores an overall 8 / 10 in other review sites.
Review by David Marks.