The Killingworth Castle, Woodstock

The Killingworth Castle, in Wootton, is a handsome stone and brick 17th century inn just off the A44, and when you step inside it has the kind of feeling that relaxes the shoulders – log burners, wooden floors, exposed brickwork, old wooden settles and that buzzy hum that comes with regular locals at the bar.

The food is high quality gastropub fare – good enough for a romantic meal, but also relaxed for Sunday lunches too. For kids there’s a large garden out the back (avoid the road at the front clearly!) and there are also 8 elegantly refurbished bedrooms that I’ve had a good look around too.

The Killingworth Castle is a stone’s throw from Woodstock, 11 miles from Bicester Village and 14 miles from central Oxford and, in my opinion, worth the journey every time.