Our Story

At the top of the hill climbing out of the Teme Valley, just as you cross the border from Worcestershire into Herefordshire, lies the small village of Upper Sapey.

For well over a century, The Baiting House has been the beating heart of village life in Upper Sapey. Traditionally, it was the welcome stop where drovers and waggoners, labouring up the hill with their horses, would pause for “bait” — the wonderful local word for a hearty bite to eat or a refreshing break.

The earliest records date back to 1840, when a wheelwright named Peregrine Perkins lived here and ran a handy sideline brewing beer.

Over the decades “The Bait” served as a proper country pub, but by the early 2010s the building had fallen into serious disrepair. Windows were boarded, the roof leaked, and the once-vibrant local had become a sad, neglected eyesore. It finally closed its doors completely in early 2015.

Then, in September 2015, local couple Andrew and Kate stepped in. They bought the derelict pub with a bold vision: to rescue it, restore its soul, and bring it back as a thriving hub for the community and beyond.

After an extensive refurbishment, The Baiting House proudly re-opened its doors in May 2016. Ten years on, the transformation has been remarkable. What was once a rundown, failing pub is now a beautiful, award-winning country inn that has been praised nationally as an inspiring model for the revival of other struggling rural pubs.

We’re especially proud of our food, which continues to earn recognition — including a listing in the Michelin Guide for its assured, flavour-packed modern British dishes.

From a boarded-up building on the brink to a warm, welcoming destination that locals and visitors alike love — this is the story of The Baiting House’s second life, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey over the past decade.

Stone-built house with brick accents, featuring bay windows and steps leading to the entrance, under a clear blue sky.

Interior of a room with a brick fireplace, painting of a cow, wood burning stove, small dining table with two chairs, and wall-mounted wooden deer head sculpture.

How We Brought The Baiting House Back to Life

When we first walked into the building in 2015, it was in an even worse state than many people realised. The roof had serious leaks, floors were rotten, the interior was dated and tired, and years of neglect had left it feeling cold and unloved. It wasn’t just closed — it was on the brink.

As a local couple with deep roots in Upper Sapey (Kate’s dad was born a mile away and went to school just down the hill in Stanford Bridge) we couldn’t bear to see our village pub lost forever. So we rolled up our sleeves. Over many months we carried out a full restoration: repairing and replacing where needed while carefully preserving the historic character that makes the building so special. We opened up the layout to let in more light, created a warm, welcoming dining space, and breathed new life into the old beer garden.

It was a labour of love — long days, plenty of setbacks, and a huge amount of learning on the job — but seeing the Baiting House come alive again, filled with locals chatting over a pint and visitors enjoying great food, made every bit of effort worthwhile.

Ten years on, we’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, and grateful to the amazing team and loyal customers who have been part of this journey.