Bucks &amp; Oxon


<p>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&#8217;re in a virtuous mood). Wash it down with a fabulous local ale or perfectly matched pinot and hey presto, you&#8217;re in gastropub heaven. </p>



<p>And so, with the timing perfection of an expertly cooked fillet steak, along comes <a href="https://www.top50gastropubs.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The&nbsp;Estrella Damm</a> list of the country&#8217;s finest gastropubs, with three Bucks &amp; Oxon gastros in the top 50, up from two last year, and a further five making the top 100, plus one more winning a special newcomer award. With Marlow emerging as a veritable gastropub hotspot &#8211; ok, so we&#8217;re not all that surprised &#8211; we&#8217;re making a beeline for the riverside town next time we&#8217;ve got a sticky toffee pudding craving&#8230;</p>



<p>So here they are, the Bucks and Oxon fab nine, six of them new entries. We&#8217;ll race you to the table.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hand-and-flowers-marlow-no-8"><a href="https://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hand and Flowers</a>, Marlow (No.8)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="761" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.13.52.png" alt="" class="wp-image-114020" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.13.52.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.13.52-300x228.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.13.52-657x500.png 657w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.13.52-150x114.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.13.52-690x525.png 690w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>At Tom Kerridge’s two Michelin-starred pub, The Hand and Flowers, local provenance and originality high on the agenda, but the interiors are still unpretentious and there&#8217;s a relaxed vibe. Ideal for a special occasion, especially the private dining room for up to nine (but with mains at the £50 mark, this is definitely somewhere for a treat). </p>



<p><strong>Try this:</strong> Tenderloin of Pork Roasted with Liquorice, Malted Cheek, Potato Risotto, Irish Kale and Brassica and Anchovy Ketchup</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coach-marlow-no-15"><a href="https://www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Coach</a>, Marlow (No. 15)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="793" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.15.27.png" alt="" class="wp-image-114021" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.15.27.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.15.27-300x238.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.15.27-631x500.png 631w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.15.27-150x119.png 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/Screen-Shot-2021-03-29-at-17.15.27-662x525.png 662w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>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&#8217;s a Michelin steal.</p>



<p><strong>Try this:&nbsp;</strong>Duck Liver Parfait with Fig &amp; Cherry Chutney and Toasted Brioche £14.50 </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.thebelllangford.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bell Inn</a>, Langford (No.37)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110405.745.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-141606" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110405.745.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110405.745-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110405.745-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110405.745-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Run by born and bred Cotswold gents Peter Creed and Tom Noest, the Bell Inn Langford (find it slap bang on the Glos/Ox border near Burford) focuses on good simple pub grub, but sourced and cooked to perfection, winning it a new entry straight into the top 50. Expect an earthy modern country pub feel, showcasing the duo’s love for a classic British menu with the addition of wood-fired dishes and an extensive drinks menu, all with a great vibe and ambiance. </p>



<p><strong>Try this: </strong>Roasted celeriac, goat&#8217;s curd, green sauce and hazelnuts (£17)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-the-bucks-oxon-gastropubs-in-the-next-top-50">And the Bucks &amp; Oxon gastropubs in the next Top 50&#8230;</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.thebutcherstapandgrill.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Butchers Tap &amp; Grill</a>, Marlow (No. 57)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110354.082.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-141605" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110354.082.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110354.082-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110354.082-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110354.082-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This neighbourhood pub, a new entry, is all about meat (the clue&#8217;s in the name) where you can choose your cut from the meat counter and have it expertly prepared, or take it home and cook it yourself if you&#8217;re up for the challenge&#8230; There&#8217;s dry-aged beef, Blythburgh Pigs pork, Longland Farm duck and more, all carefully sourced with welfare top of the agenda. This is a no bookings, sport on the TV kind of place and kids eat free Mon-Fri 3-5pm when accompanied by a paying adult &#8211; dogs welcome too &#8211; so take the whole gang. </p>



<p><strong>Try this:</strong> Fried chicken shawarma burger with mango chutney, mint mayo and cheese (£15)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://thewildrabbit.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wild Rabbit</a>, Kingham (No. 72)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/The-Wild-Rabbit-gastropub-720x480.jpg" alt="The Wild Rabbit" class="wp-image-101774" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/The-Wild-Rabbit-gastropub-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/The-Wild-Rabbit-gastropub-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/The-Wild-Rabbit-gastropub-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/03/The-Wild-Rabbit-gastropub.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>This Cotswold gastropub is all about elegant seasonal food in elegant rustic surroundings, with an open fire, oodles of exposed Cotswold stone and a smattering of local celebrities. You can eat a la carte in the dining room or sit on the other side of the bar and opt for a more relaxed menu, with rabbit rarebit (£5) and Ortiz sardines, with homemade sourdough (£13) among the options (not a pork scratching in sight). A new entry this year.</p>



<p><strong>Try this:</strong> Spiced dry aged duck, leg pastilla, plum sauce, hibiscus, cylindra beetroot (£32)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.fiveelmsweedon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Five Elms</a>, Weedon (No. 80)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110241.075.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-141604" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110241.075.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110241.075-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110241.075-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110241.075-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This gastropub near Aylesbury is another new entry to the Estrella Top 100, and prides itself on local, sustainable ingredients cooked with modern techniques and flair. The Grade 2 Listed thatched pub is pure Chilterns charm and is family and dog friendly, so everyone&#8217;s welcome. The menu is succinct and frequently changing depending what&#8217;s fresh, so you can expect something new every time you visit. </p>



<p><strong>Try this:</strong> Roasted Halibut, Coco Bean, Celeriac, Sea Vegetables, Dulse Butter Sauce (£27)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://themashinn.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mash Inn</a>, Radnage (No. 81)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="773" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/image.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-141614" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/image.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/image-800x618.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/image-400x309.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/image-679x525.jpeg 679w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Once you&#8217;ve jumped through the hoops of reserving a table at this incredibly highly-thought of restaurant and rooms, you&#8217;ll be glad you completed the booking form and paid up front for the set menu because it&#8217;s a dining experience to remember. Expect flame-cooked food, all local and much of it home-produced, with unusual pairings of ingredients (hello Barbecued Pineapple &amp; Matcha) and attentive and passionate waiting staff and chefs. One for gastrophiles. </p>



<p><strong>Try this: </strong>Garden Beetroot &amp; Smoked Ricotta or Pork Crackers &amp; Lime Pickle (£75 pp for an 8-course lunch or £95 for an 11-course dinner) </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-greyhound-beaconsfield-no-89"><a aria-label="The Greyhound (opens in a new tab)" href="https://greyhoundbeaconsfield.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound</a>, Beaconsfield (No.89)</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/3/2022/08/The-Greyhound-October-20212718-CHOC-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-135226" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/The-Greyhound-October-20212718-CHOC-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/The-Greyhound-October-20212718-CHOC-3-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/The-Greyhound-October-20212718-CHOC-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/08/The-Greyhound-October-20212718-CHOC-3-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Set in a 17th century former coaching inn in Old Beaconsfield (ie the pretty part), The Greyhound&nbsp;is a slick reimagining of what a local pub should and could be with an intent on quality across its menu and knowledgeable and fun staff, including attentive owners Daniel and Margriet Crump. Dishes include innovative combinations like Plantain Crisp and Stone Bass Tartare, Lime, and Coriander or Buckinghamshire Fallow Deer Carpaccio, Blackberry, Horseradish, and Beetroot to name a couple of drool-worthy seasonal offerings. The gastropub has held a spot in the top 100 for two years &#8211; awards it can display next to its 2021 Muddy Award!</p>



<p><strong>Try this: </strong>Butternut Squash Custard Grana Padano, Pecan, Sage (£12)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Newcomer Award: <a href="https://theoarsman.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Oarsman</a>, Marlow</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110259.988.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-141603" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110259.988.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110259.988-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110259.988-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/01/Untitled-design-2023-01-24T110259.988-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Describing itself as a &#8216;bistropub&#8217; this place is all about casual dining with an open kitchen and wholesome menu of re-imagined classics like steak tartare, gravadlax and fish soup. It&#8217;s very much on the Muddy radar and one of our list of <a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/best-sunday-lunch-spots-buckinghamshire-oxfordshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local Sunday lunch hotspots</a>, but also worth popping into for its fixed price mid week menu (£17.50 for two courses) or just some larder and bar snacks over a drink or two.  </p>



<p><strong>Try this:</strong> Seared Cod, Crisp Potato, Brown Shrimp Salad (£27.50) </p>



<p>And finally, a special mention for <a href="https://www.chandosoakley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Chandos Arms</a> in Oakley, Bucks, a runner up in the Best Newcomer Category this year. </p>



<p><strong>Be a gastro-tourist&#8230; Hope across the border to try more pubs from the top 100&#8230;</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BERKS</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://thebeehivewhitewaltham.com/">The Beehive</a>, White Waltham<br><a href="https://www.lochandtyne.com/">The Loch &amp; Tyne</a>, Old Windsor<br><a href="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/restaurants/heston-blumenthal-hinds-head-bray-review/">The Hind&#8217;s Head</a>, Bray<br><a href="https://thenewburypub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Newbury</a>, Newbury</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>GLOS</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.thewoolpackslad.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Woolpack Inn</a>, Slad</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>HERTS</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.thesilvercup.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Silver Cup</a>, Harpenden<br><a href="https://dylanskingsarms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dylans The King’s Arms</a>, St Albans<br><a href="https://alfordarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Alford Arms</a>, Frithsden</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WARKS</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.theroyaloakwhatcote.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Royal Oak</a>, Whatcote<strong><br></strong><a href="https://www.thecrosskenilworth.co.uk/">The Cross</a>, Kenilworth</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>HANTS</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://thepurefoyarms.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Purefoy Arms</a>, Preston Candover</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WILTS</strong></h2>



<p><a href="https://www.thelongsarms.com/">The Longs Arms</a>, Bradford-on-Avon<br><a href="https://www.blackswandevizes.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Black Swan</a>, Devizes<br><a href="https://thecompassesinn.com/">The Compasses Inn</a>, Lower Chicksgrove</p>


Top 100 gastropubs 2023 revealed

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