The Humble Ploughman’s Lunch – A Proper British Classic
Ah, the Ploughman’s Lunch – a plate full of tradition, pickles, and good old British charm. But where did this hearty delight come from? Was it handed down from medieval farmers to today’s hungry pub-goers? Not exactly.
The name was popularised in the 1950s, when the Cheese Bureau (yep, that was real) and the Milk Marketing Board wanted to shift more cheese and encourage pubs to put together a cold meal that screamed “British.” Enter the Ploughman’s – bread, cheese, onions, maybe some ham if you were lucky, and boom: a pub staple was born.
At The Swan Inn, Abbotsbury, we’ve taken it up a notch. Choose from home cooked ham, mature cheddar, rich Stilton – or treat yourself and have all three. Add a fresh crusty roll, proper salad, homemade coleslaw, tangy pickle, pickled onions, and a few beetroot slices to make the perfect plateful. We even throw in a couple of cheese portions and a smile (optional but encouraged).
It’s a bite of British history, served fresh in our lovely village pub.
Available now at The Swan Inn – best enjoyed with a pint and a smug grin.