Bucks &amp; Oxon


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPARTRIDGE.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182130" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPARTRIDGE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPARTRIDGE-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPARTRIDGE-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPARTRIDGE-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bull, Charlbury</figcaption></figure>



<p>Winter is all about crisp cold days and the kind of expertly prepared triple-cooked chips that only a really good gastropub can do (or pan-fried trout if you’re in a virtuous mood). Wash it down with a fabulous local ale or perfectly matched pinot and, hey presto, you’re in gastropub heaven.</p>



<p>And so, with the timing perfection of an expertly cooked fillet steak, along comes&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/list/1-50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estrella Damm&nbsp;Top 50 Gastropubs list</a> of the country’s finest gastropubs, voted for by more than 350 hospitality industry experts from across the UK, as well as the core 1-50 list of the best pubs.</p>



<p>The #1 position overall was snagged for by&nbsp;<a href="https://theunrulypig.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unruly Pig</a>&nbsp;in Woodbridge, Suffolk, for the second year on the trot. But right now we’re starving, and only have eyes for the fine catch served up Bucks and Oxon this year: an impressive tally of no less than five of our local gastropubs in the Top 50, a further four in the 51-100 rankings, and a special &#8216;One to Watch&#8217; award for the fabulous White Hart at Fyfield. Grab a fork and dig in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bull-charlbury-no-11"><a href="https://thebullcharlbury.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bull</a>, Charlbury (No. 11)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPIE.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182131" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPIE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPIE-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPIE-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/BULLPIE-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bull, Charlbury</figcaption></figure>



<p>A fixture on Sheep Street in Charlbury since the early 1500s, it&#8217;s about time this charming and characterful gastropub hit the top of the Estrella Damm hotlist. An established local serving good honest beer, The Bull has also come to be renowned for its menu – locally sourced, seasonal produce primarily cooked over an open flame. The verdict of <em>The Times</em> restaurant critic Giles Coren: &#8216;Best pie and a pint of your life.&#8217; To that we&#8217;ll add: Sunday&#8217;s spit-roasted joints are a must, as are the weekly fish specials.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coach-marlow-no-29"><a href="https://www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Coach</a>, Marlow (No.29)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/THECOACH.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182137" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/THECOACH.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/THECOACH-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/THECOACH-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/THECOACH-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Coach, Marlow</figcaption></figure>



<p>Tom Kerridge’s The Coach is a sleek, modern bistro-style gastropub that was awarded a Michelin star in 2017 for its delectable small-plate menu – and it&#8217;s held on to it ever since. The vibe in this 40-cover restaurant led by head chef Sarah Hayward is buzzy, the room open-plan, and with a set lunch at £15 for two dishes, or a third for £7.50, that’s a (Michelin) star of a steal. Now celebrating its tenth birthday, it maintains a flexible, accessible approach to drop-in dining, though it does allow tables to be booked on the day. Get on the blower from 9am!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hand-amp-flowers-marlow-no-32"><a href="https://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hand &amp; Flowers</a>, Marlow (No. 32)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/HANDANDFLOWERS.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182135" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/HANDANDFLOWERS.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/HANDANDFLOWERS-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/HANDANDFLOWERS-400x300.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Hand and Flowers, Marlow</figcaption></figure>



<p>Elsewhere in Marlow, Tom Kerridge’s Hand &amp; Flowers – the UK&#8217;s only pub with two Michelin stars – remains a fixture in the Top 50 list and a Mecca for foodies everywhere. It&#8217;s made its mark and then some for its outstanding food, with local provenance and originality high on the agenda. But it&#8217;s also a chic place to stay overnight if you&#8217;re in Marlow, with 15 cottages dotted around the town in pretty Georgian cottages. If you go for a blowout (the private dining room <a href="https://thehandandflowers.co.uk/the-shed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Shed</a> is the place to head for a special occasion) you&#8217;ll probably need a lie down.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-wild-rabbit-kingham-no-46"><a href="https://thewildrabbit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wild Rabbit</a>, Kingham (No. 46)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/WILDRABBIT.jpg" alt="GASTROPUBS" class="wp-image-182138" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/WILDRABBIT.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/WILDRABBIT-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/WILDRABBIT-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/WILDRABBIT-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Wild Rabbit</figcaption></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s well worth hopping over to the Oxfordshire Cotswolds for The Wild Rabbit&#8217;s award-winning seasonal fare. This chic gastropub is part of the Daylesford Stays collection of boutique hotels (alongside The Fox at Oddington, The Bell at Charlbury and The Three Horseshoes at Asthall), so a beautifully appointed bedroom awaits too after your feast – perhaps pigeon salad followed by shoulder of Wootton estate venison for Madam?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-double-red-duke-nr-bampton-no-50"><a href="https://www.countrycreatures.com/double-red-duke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Double Red Duke</a>, nr Bampton (No. 50)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/DOUBLEREDDUKE.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182132" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/DOUBLEREDDUKE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/DOUBLEREDDUKE-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/DOUBLEREDDUKE-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/DOUBLEREDDUKE-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Double Red Duke</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Double Red Duke is a beautiful 17th Century coaching inn nestled in the Cotswold village of Clanfield, close to Oxford. Part of the Country Creatures hospitality group founded Sam and Georgie Pearman, one of its equally pretty sister pubs in Country Creatures&#8217; Cotswolds estate is the newly opened The Mason&#8217;s Arms just over the road. Come for the Insta-friendly red and white-striped umbrellas, stay for the top-notch cooking and superb wine list.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bell-inn-langford-no-52"><a href="https://www.thebelllangford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell Inn</a>, Langford (No. 52)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/BELLINNLANGFORD.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-182278" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/BELLINNLANGFORD.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/BELLINNLANGFORD-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/BELLINNLANGFORD-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/01/BELLINNLANGFORD-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Bell Inn, Langford</figcaption></figure>



<p>Run by born and bred Cotswold gents Peter Creed and Tom Noest, the Bell Inn at Langford, near Burford, focuses on good simple pub grub with a straightforward wine list, spirits and beer selection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-golden-ball-lower-assendon-no-61"><a href="https://www.goldenballhenley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Golden Ball</a>, Lower Assendon (No. 61)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="664" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/GOLDENBALL.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182134" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/GOLDENBALL.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/GOLDENBALL-800x531.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/GOLDENBALL-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Golden Ball, Henley</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Golden Ball, a modern British pub-restaurant set in the beautiful Stonor valley just outside Henley-on-Thames, is run by husband-and-wife team Ben and Priya Watson, who were well-deserved winners of Best Restaurant in the Muddy Awards 2024. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-feathered-nest-nether-westcote-no-71"><a href="https://thefeatherednestinn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Feathered Nest</a>, Nether Westcote (No. 71)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/FEATHEREDNEST.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-182248" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/FEATHEREDNEST.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/FEATHEREDNEST-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/FEATHEREDNEST-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/FEATHEREDNEST-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Feathered Nest</figcaption></figure>



<p>The Feathered Nest is a country pub, restaurant and inn set in the picturesque village of Nether Westcote in the heart of the Cotswolds&#8217; Golden Triangle. Under new head chef Renemar Pinedo, the gastropub&#8217;s relaxed fine dining is taking flight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-killingworth-castle-wootton-no-79"><a href="https://www.thekillingworthcastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Killingworth Castle</a>, Wootton (No. 79)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/KILLINGWORTHCASTLE.jpg" alt="gastropubs" class="wp-image-182136" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/KILLINGWORTHCASTLE.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/KILLINGWORTHCASTLE-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/KILLINGWORTHCASTLE-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/KILLINGWORTHCASTLE-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Killingworth Castle</figcaption></figure>



<p>Set in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Wootton, near Woodstock and Blenheim Palace, this historic gastropub has eight luxury en-suite rooms, and an impressive three AA Rosettes for food.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-to-watch-the-white-hart-at-fyfield-oxford">&#8216;One to Watch&#8217;: <a href="https://www.whitehart-fyfield.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Hart at Fyfield</a>, Oxford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/James-KH-Exterior-High-Res.jpg" alt="White Hart Fyfield" class="wp-image-173713" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/James-KH-Exterior-High-Res.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/James-KH-Exterior-High-Res-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/James-KH-Exterior-High-Res-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/James-KH-Exterior-High-Res-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The White Hart, Fyfield</figcaption></figure>



<p>Since arriving at the White Hart in 2005, husband and wife team Mark and Kay Chandler have restored this 15th Century gastropub to its former glory (read our review of our Muddy Award winning Best Destination Pub <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/review-the-white-hart-fyfield-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>). We&#8217;re sure the hat-tip as &#8216;One to Watch&#8217; will spur the team on to ever-greater heights – and possible guest chef collabs. Watch this space.</p>


Tuck in! The top 100 gastropubs 2025 revealed

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