Bucks &amp; Oxon

Winter is all about crisp cold days, frosty walks, 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.



And so, with the timing perfection of an expertly cooked fillet steak, along comes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com/list/1-50">The&nbsp;Estrella Damm</a>&nbsp;Top 100 Gastropub list of the country’s finest gastropubs – with Tom Kerridge reigning supreme with two out of the three Bucks and Oxon gastros to reach the Top 50! 



The top spot was snagged by&nbsp;<a href="https://theunrulypig.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Unruly Pig</a>&nbsp;in Woodbridge Suffolk – the judges gushed about the warm and welcoming setting, an idyllic backdrop to a pub that plates up filling and well-crafted food full of wit and charisma. But right now we’re starving and only have eyes for Bucks and Oxon&#8217;s tasty trio. Grab a fork and dig in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hand-amp-flowers-marlow-no-10"><a href="https://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk">The Hand &amp; Flowers</a>, Marlow (No.10)</h2>



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At Tom Kerridge’s two Michelin-starred pub, The Hand and Flowers, local provenance and originality are high on the agenda, but the interiors are still unpretentious and there’s a relaxed vibe. Ideal for a special occasion, especially the private dining room (The Shed) for up to ten (but with prices starting from £175 for three courses, this is definitely somewhere for a treat).&nbsp;



Try this:&nbsp;30 day dry aged fillet of beef with potato buttermilk waffle, crème fraîche &amp; chive butter and sauce bordelaise



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coach-marlow-no-21"><a href="https://www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk">The Coach</a>, Marlow (No.21)</h2>



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Tom Kerridge’s second Marlow site, The Coach, is a sleek, modern bistro-style pub that was awarded its own Michelin star in 2017, which it has held on to since. It maintains a flexible, accessible approach to drop-in dining though it does allow tables to be booked on the day for lunch or dinner. Phone lines open at 9am so trigger fingers at the ready! The vibe in this small 40 cover restaurant is buzzy, the room open-plan, and with mains from £9.50, that’s a (Michelin) star of a steal!



Try this:&nbsp;The Coach burger with raclette, cola braised beef and dill pickle £19.50



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bull-charlbury-no-50"><a href="https://thebullcharlbury.com">The Bull</a>, Charlbury (No.50)</h2>



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A fixture on Sheep Street since the early 1500s, it&#8217;s about time this charming and characterful pub hit the 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. Though you can pick from the main menu any day of the week, Sunday&#8217;s spit-roasted joints are a must as are the weekly fish specials. 



Try This: Dover sole with brown butter and a side of salt baked celeriac, green sauce and roast potatoes. 



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Be a gastro-tourist… Hope across the border to try more pubs from the Top 100…



BERKS <a href="https://www.thebeehivewhitewaltham.com">The Beehive</a>, White Waltham <a href="https://www.lochandtyne.com">The Loch &amp; Tyne</a>, Old Windsor <a href="https://www.hindsheadbray.com">The Hind’s Head</a>, Bray <a href="http://www.dewdropinnhurley.com">The Dew Drop Inn</a>, Hurley <a href="https://thebelgianarms.com">The Belgian Arms</a>, Holyport



GLOS <a href="https://www.horseandgroomcotswolds.co.uk">The Horse and Groom Inn</a>, Upper Oddington <a href="https://thefoxatoddington.com">The Fox at Oddington</a>, Oddington <a href="https://www.thewoolpackslad.com">The Woolpack</a>, Stroud



HERTS <a href="https://dylanskingsarms.com">Dylans The King’s Arms</a>, St Albans



WARKS <a href="https://www.theroyaloakwhatcote.co.uk">The Royal Oak</a>, Whatcote <a href="https://www.thecrosskenilworth.co.uk">The Cross</a>, Kenilworth <a href="https://www.thehalfwayatkineton.com">The Halfway at Kineton</a>, Kineton



WILTS <a href="https://butcombe.com/the-methuen-arms-wiltshire/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0cmf9bfxgwMVWpRoCR1nlQ88EAAYASAAEgKpe_D_BwE">The Methuen Arms,</a> Corsham <a href="https://www.blackswandevizes.co.uk">The Black Swan</a>, Devizes <a href="https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-castle-inn/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbKUkLjxgwMVIYCDBx0WAgNXEAAYASAAEgJNAPD_BwE">The Castle Inn</a>, Castle Combe

Tuck in! Top 100 gastropubs 2024 revealed

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