Bottomless Brunch at the Harcourt Arms

We’re big fans of the Harcourt Arms in Stanton Harcourt.

It’s everything you want from a country village pub – warm, charming, and consistently good food and service. There’s a roaring fire, tasteful modern touches, and none of the pretentiousness you sometimes find in other independent pubs around the Cotswolds, where prices make your eyes water and the vibe can leave you feeling like an inconvenience. The Harcourt Arms is the antidote: relaxed, welcoming, and a place to happily while away a Saturday afternoon.

We were really excited to try their Bottomless Brunch, and it absolutely delivered.

One thing that sets it apart? You can switch up your drinks throughout the 90-minute slot – such a nice touch. We started with a glass of crisp prosecco (divine), moved on to a refreshing gin spritz served in a mini bottle with a straw and sprig of mint, and finished with a fruity sangria packed with fresh fruit (our least favourite of the three).

At £38 for two courses or £42 for three, it’s incredible value, the drinks alone would have added up to near that price elsewhere.

Unlike many bottomless brunches, where the food can be bland and forgettable, the dishes here are vibrant, inventive, and perfect for sharing.

We started with the chicken tenders, hot honey syrup, and waffle – a weekend special, and we can see why. Light, soft waffle, moist and crispy chicken, and a hot honey drizzle with just the right amount of kick.

Next came the courgette fritti with a spicy tomato sauce – probably our least favourite dish. The straw-like courgette fries were tasty, but not as crispy as we’d have liked.

Then came the Cajun salmon tacos with pineapple salsa. Two crispy tacos, generously filled with salmon and topped with zingy pineapple salsa, red chilli, and coriander. Super fresh and bursting with flavour – the Cajun seasoning really delivered.

The star of the show? The banana French toast with maple bacon.

We were expecting banana on top, but the banana was actually cooked inside the thick-cut French toast. Genius. Sweet, salty, sticky – the combination with the maple bacon was perfection.

Even though we were full, we couldn’t resist dessert. We shared the caramel chocolate fondant with clotted cream ice cream and the lemon parfait with almond and oat crunch. The fondant had a cakey brownie texture with a gooey caramel centre, rich but not sickly, beautifully paired with the ice cream. The lemon parfait came layered in a large glass – think cheesecake meets lemon curd, with layers of crunch and zingy lemon softened by creamy parfait. A big portion, but really satisfying.

Our top picks? The banana French toast and chicken tenders, hands down. But honestly, every dish was beautifully presented and delicious.

If I did it again, I’d probably stick with the prosecco – it was light, crisp, and incredibly drinkable.

After brunch, we hung around with a couple of board games, soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. It’s also worth noting: the pub is very dog-friendly, which we love.

We’ll definitely be back. The Harcourt Arms has yet to disappoint, and this brunch was no exception.