Just a short walk from the heart of Bradford-on-Avon, The Three Horseshoes is a long-standing coaching inn that has quietly remained one of the town’s most characterful pubs. Known locally as “the ’Shoes”, it’s a place that hasn’t been reworked or rebranded over time, and that’s very much part of its appeal.

Much of the building’s original fabric remains. The wide wooden door that once allowed horses through into the yard still opens onto what is now a generous rear garden and terrace, a genuine sun trap, where you will also find ‘Lucky’s’, an outside cocktail bar, perfect for the summer months. Inside, the pub unfolds across several rooms, with well-worn tables, beer mats pinned to beams and an atmosphere that feels lived in rather than styled.

The bar focuses on quality and variety rather than the predictable. Three rotating local ales are always on, alongside a small but carefully chosen range of ciders, including Black Rat. The selection changes often enough to reward repeat visits, without losing its sense of balance. You don’t need to recognise the names to trust what’s being poured.

Live music runs through the week, with busier evenings on Fridays and Saturdays and more relaxed sessions on Sunday afternoons. Genres shift between rock, folk, jazz and punk, but the mood stays the same: informal, welcoming and easygoing. That reputation was recognised when the pub was named Best Music Venue in Wiltshire 2025, a reflection of both the quality and consistency of what’s on offer. The crowd reflects that atmosphere, with different generations mixing naturally rather than splitting into corners.

Awarded CAMRA Bath & Borders Rural Pub of the Year in 2022, The Three Horseshoes has earned its reputation by staying consistent rather than chasing trends. Traditional pub fixtures including darts, a jukebox and a pool table sit comfortably alongside a strong midweek trade and a loyal local following. With regular food trucks operating in the rear garden rather than an in-house kitchen, the focus stays firmly on good beer, live music and an atmosphere that feels settled and sociable. It remains a proper local pub that is excellent at what it does.