Get yourselves out to south Oxfordshire for what I believe is the best value Sunday lunch in our wider Oxford region. Expect a Sunday lunch that's chock full of 'hwyl'*. You open the front door of a hatched, timber-framed pub and you're met with rich dark blue painted walls, a natural warmth and the gentle murmur of happy customers. Welcome to a proper village pub. Welcome … [Read more...]
Betwixmas – a nice walk and a good pub? We got you!
As always, I'll be nipping out to my favourite foodie pubs in the Cotswolds and Chilterns with my partner and loyal Welsh Springer Spaniel, Chester. A 4-5 mile amble makes the food seem that much more justified! My favourite Yuletide pub walk is in the hidden Hambleden valley, just off the M40 near Stokenchurch. The Hambleden Valley reveals pretty villages, historic … [Read more...]
Review: The Ladbroke Bell
In the heart of the south Warwickshire countryside, a short jaunt away from Southam, Leamington Spa, and Banbury, lies a hostelry that defines the essence of the quintessential British Sunday pub lunch. Nestled within the tiny village of Ladbroke, The Bell is a bastion of culinary value, surrounded by thatched cottages, whimsical architecture, and an abundance of character that … [Read more...]
Review: Brasserie Blanc
Let's dive into the world of Brasserie Blanc Walton Street, slap bang in the middle of Jericho, and the fascinating culinary journey of Raymond Blanc and his burgeoning Heartwood group of affordable fine eateries. Brasserie Blanc offers a delicious but mainstream take on French food but now in a refreshed, stylish bohemian setting. Once a lively pub, it's recently been … [Read more...]
Review: The Bell at Charlbury
In the enchanting village of Charlbury, where history meets culinary finesse, The Bell, under the umbrella of Carol Bamford's Daylesford Stays and pub group, emerges as a gastronomic gem. Carol Bamford, an arbiter of classic country taste, has woven her magic into the fabric of this once moribund hostelry, creating not just a pub, but a destination. The Bell stands as a … [Read more...]