Bucks &amp; Oxon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1502" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-sign.jpg" alt="The Thatch Thame exterior" class="wp-image-201799" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-sign.jpg 2000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-sign-800x601.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-sign-1000x751.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-sign-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-sign-1536x1154.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></figure>



<p>Is The Thatch the Oxfordshire gastropub that has it all? Flagstone floors, 16th century timbers and inglenook fireplaces? Tick. Light, bright dining rooms for larger gatherings? Tick. An outdoor terrace for summer spritzes? Also tick. Although given that there was snow on the ground during our Sunday sojourn to Thame, the terrace wasn’t exactly buzzing. Indoors, however, was a different story.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Ye olde beams were decked in twinkly lights, families tucked into an array of roasts (more on those below) and gal pals clinked glasses from cushy fireside armchairs. It’s not Muddy’s first culinary outing to this 500-year-old pub (read our <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/review-the-thatch-pub-thame-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review of The Thatch’s summer menu here</a>), but given that ‘slow Sundays’ are a speciality here, we thought it only right to give the best meal of the week a spin. Not to mention that the characterful candlelit nooks and crannies make for a very snug escape from the elements during the winter months. Just hop down Thame High Street, choose your seat and settle in – you’re in for a treat.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1023" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-front-eatery-1.jpg" alt="The Thatch old dining room" class="wp-image-201801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-front-eatery-1.jpg 1023w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-front-eatery-1-800x601.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-front-eatery-1-1000x751.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-front-eatery-1-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 1023px" /></figure>



<p>The Thatch is a historic jewel in the <a href="https://makinglifepeachy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peach Pub</a> group’s crown (sister pubs include <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-the-fishes-north-hinksey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fishes </a>at Hinksey and <a href="https://www.fleecewitney.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Fleece </a>in Witney) and it’s the market town’s big hospitality hitter for a reason. The beautiful bar attracts those just popping by for a pint, glass of fizz or a coffee. Both the modern and higgledy-piggledy old dining areas cater for couples seeking a tête-à-tête over a few deli plates, or larger crowds whiling away an afternoon with a hearty roast. It was bustling when we visited, but lunch service was seamlessly choreographed by the relaxed yet very ‘on it’ staff, and our little table by the old baker’s oven felt nicely tucked away.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-scaled.jpg" alt="The Thatch Sunday lunch review" class="wp-image-201803" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/Anna-at-The-Thatch-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>Trad Sunday lunch lovers are promised at least three roasts to choose from but we were regaled with a selection of five. You could call this a roast with a Royal Warrant; meat comes from butcher <a href="https://aubreyallen.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aubrey Allen</a>, which supplies many a local celeb as well as the royal household. Grass-fed British beef, Blythburgh pork from Suffolk, Cornish lamb and free-range chicken all hail from the celebrated <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/insider-guide-leamington-spa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leamington Spa </a>butcher. </p>



<p>The veggie roasts are just as luxe and change with the seasons – think spinach and artichoke Wellington with all of the trimmings. And if your Yorkshire pudding supply runs dry, you need only mention it and staff will sail through the dining room with as many surplus puds as you can manage. We suggest reining it in to make room for the weekly special crumble.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-scaled.jpg" alt="The Thatch Sunday lunch" class="wp-image-201804" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-Rioja-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>While the classics were certainly tempting, a month or so of festive feasting had us craving wintry fare with a twist, and the Sunday specials board delivered on the brief. My husband opted for 28-day dry aged beef carpaccio with pickled veggies and confit tomato as a starter, and it elevated the tender meat to fresh new heights. I chose the comfort food route with a velvety homemade parsnip soup served with a few generous hunks of farmhouse white. The perfect way to come in from the cold, especially when teamed with a glass of jammy Rioja.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-scaled.jpg" alt="The Thatch venison wellington" class="wp-image-201805" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-venison-wellington-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>The star of the Sunday mains was my venison Wellington with creamy celeriac purée and buttered leeks. I only eat venison a few times a year and it feels delightfully decadent when I do; in Wellington form, it was rich, tender and moreish. My husband plumped for free-range pork belly with mash, cabbage, carrots and a cider sauce, and while the fat on the pork could have been rendered down more, he declared the mash and sauce 11/10.&nbsp;</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1920" height="2560" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-scaled.jpg" alt="The Thatch Sunday pudding" class="wp-image-201807" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-puds-1536x2048.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<p>For afters, I couldn’t resist the house apple crumble with custard, and it was a pleasingly non-stodgy, not-too-sweet take on a Sunday pud staple. Meanwhile my husband scraped every morsel of the pear and almond frangipane tart with salted rum caramel off of his plate, before nicking the bowl of Minstrels that accompanied my post-lunch americano. Not sure where he puts it, but we headed back out into a sub-zero Sunday evening (yes, we stayed that long) feeling warm, content and like we definitely didn’t need to eat again until breakfast time. Which gave us an evening to play with, <em>sans</em> washing up. The dream.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2000" height="1331" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-eatery.jpg" alt="The Thatch modern dining room" class="wp-image-201809" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-eatery.jpg 2000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-eatery-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-eatery-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-eatery-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-eatery-1536x1022.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The modern dining area</figcaption></figure>



<p>Very. While there’s no dedicated kids menu, children can order smaller portions of whatever’s on the menu and there’s enough variation to please picky eaters. The staff are brilliant with little ones too. For understandable reasons space is at more of a premium in the older part of the pub so families may wish to request a table in the more modern dining area to give the brood a bit more breathing room.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Definitely – dogs will love curling up by the fire or chowing down on a biscuit at the bar. Well-behaved hounds are permitted in the dining room too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>Yes; there’s ramps, wheelchair access and an accessible toilet. Some of the older sections of the pub might be tricky to manoeuvre through at busy times however, so the newer dining areas and outdoor terrace (when the weather permits) might be better picks.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Rumseys-Thame-Cafe.jpg" alt="Rumseys Thame" class="wp-image-143463" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Rumseys-Thame-Cafe.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Rumseys-Thame-Cafe-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Rumseys-Thame-Cafe-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/03/Rumseys-Thame-Cafe-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Thatch is a lovely day-time option as there’s enough in Thame to keep you busy, even on a Sunday. Pootle around the mix of independent and chains before you tuck in – worth checking out on the indie front are <a href="https://www.rumseys.co.uk/pages/rumseys-thame" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rumsey’s</a> beautiful Parisian-style chocolaterie and <a href="https://www.whatscookingthame.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s Cooking</a> for deli bits. <a href="https://mintvelvet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mint Velvet</a> is the best of the chain stores.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="751" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-lounge-1000x751.jpg" alt="The Thatch lounge" class="wp-image-201813" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-lounge-1000x751.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-lounge-800x601.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-lounge-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/02/The-Thatch-lounge.jpg 1023w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The bar</figcaption></figure>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>A top tier Sunday lunch with an eclectic specials board to please every taste. There’s a dedicated gluten-free menu so coeliacs are catered for too, but do flag any allergens to staff when booking as the kitchen is particularly busy on a Sunday. It’s the ideal spot to stop for a cosy drink à deux or round off a weekend dog walk; you’ll be warmly welcomed whether you’re in for the full Sunday service or just a nibble.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Those after a serene, hushed meal. This place is full of life on a Sunday, just as we like it, but worth noting if quiet chats are on your agenda. The small car park at the rear is tight too, but there’s plenty of parking on the high street.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>In mid-range gastropub territory. Starters £8 – £13.50, roasts from £19.75 – £26.50, specials and mains between £16.50 – £39 (that’s for a 6oz fillet steak with truffle sprinkled sides, just for context). Puds £7.50 – £10.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>The Thatch, 29-30 Lower High Street, Thame, OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340. <a href="https://www.thethatchthame.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thethatchthame.co.uk</a>.</em></p>


Review: Sunday lunch at The Thatch, Thame

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