Tucked away in the charming village of Toot Baldon, Oxfordshire (just 7 miles from Oxford), The Mole Inn is a proper countryside gem. Think cosy interiors with exposed timbers and rustic stone walls – but it’s the food that really steals the show. With AA Rosette-standard dishes using local, seasonal, and free-range ingredients wherever possible, this is modern British fare done right. And yes, the Sunday roasts are worth writing home about.

Owners Jack Anderson and Dave Phillips took over the pub in 2024 – and let’s just say, they’ve gone full throttle. Alongside the à la carte offerings, they’ve added a wood-fired pizza oven, BBQ and outdoor kitchen, plus a fire pit and a new garden menu. Local beers are flowing more freely, and the community vibe is buzzing.

They’re not just resting on their rosemary fries, either. The Mole is doubling down on its reputation for events, with everything from live music and tapas nights to pizza parties and (cue parental joy) kids eat free deals during half-term. Private dining has also landed, set in their dreamy secret gardens with your own chef, a choice of three menus, and VIP treatment that’ll make you feel like countryside royalty.

And the ambition? Oh, it’s big. With builder and business partner James Morris in tow, the team is eyeing up derelict barns for luxe accommodation and planning a stylish events space on the enormous car park (who knew parking could be so promising?). Not that they’re strangers to accolades – they bagged the Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons Award for Excellence back in 2015. Watch this space – The Mole’s definitely burrowing its way to the top.