Best Pubs in the Cotswolds
Classic Cotswolds drinking holes
The best Cotswolds pub experiences are about more than “a list” - they’re about timing, bookings, and pairing a great lunch with the right villages nearby. Below are our handpicked favourites for atmosphere, food, and a proper countryside feel plus tips on how to build them into a day route.
1. The Bull, Charlbury
Why go
A standout for a “food-forward” pub day and a strong choice if you want something special without feeling formal.
Best for
Foodies, couples, celebratory lunches.
Planning tip
Book ahead on weekends.
Voted UK Pub of the year 2025
2. The Chequers, Churchill
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The Vibe: Casual, award-winning, and overlooking the River Windrush.
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Why it’s Top 7: Known for their sustainability and "no-fuss" approach. Their haddock is flaky and pristine.
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The Insider Edge: Bourton is famous for its "Venice" vibe; grab a takeaway here and eat by the low stone bridges for the ultimate photo op.
Jeremy Clarkson favourite
3. Falkland Arms, Great Tew
A quintessential “chocolate-box” Cotswolds pub in Great Tew, known for its heritage feel (flagstone floors, oak beams, and an inglenook fireplace) and a genuinely cosy country atmosphere. It’s also a strong choice if you want a pub stop that feels like a destination in itself rather than just “somewhere to eat”. Oh, and there are hundreds of old mugs handing from the ceilings!
Best for
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Classic Cotswolds pub experience
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Couples and small groups
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Walkers and slow-paced day routes
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Visitors who want a pub with real character (and the option to stay overnight)
Traditional, great fireplace
4. The Bell, Charlbury
Why go
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Another Carol Bamford destination in the Cotswolds. This and The Fox probably here best ones. This is summar destination which has a great drinking spots at the front, back and further down the back where they also offer woodfired pizzas. Worth checking out.
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Polished pub-with-rooms in the heart of Charlbury - modern British cooking with a strong seasonal focus, and a good option when you want a slightly more “designed” feel than a traditional inn. It’s also listed in the MICHELIN Guide.
Best for
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Weekend stays (pub + rooms), couples, small groups who want a lively but refined pub atmosphere.
Vibe
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Restored historic pub, community heart, with a modern boutique sensibility (often noted for its makeover and charm).
Good to know
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Consider it for dinner + stay rather than a quick stop; it suits slower pacing.
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Book ahead on popular dates.
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Pair it with
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Perfect if your day also includes Charlbury/Cornbury Park countryside, and you want your “main stop” to double as your base.
Great outdoors
5. Bull, Burford (Bull Burford)
Why go
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A striking Cotswolds coaching inn turned design-forward pub hotel right in Burford—ideal if you want a high-comfort stop with strong “treat yourself” energy. It’s a fully refurbished historic inn with bedrooms, and the MICHELIN Guide’s hotel listing calls out the art-filled, contemporary character.
Best for
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Luxury-leaning travellers, couples’ weekends, people who want a Burford base (or a premium lunch/dinner stop paired with shopping and strolling).
Vibe
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Heritage exterior, modern interior—more boutique-hotel than “muddy boots village pub.”
Planning tip
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Great for Burford + one nearby village rather than trying to do a huge loop.
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If you’re staying, you can build a calmer itinerary with fewer daily moves.
Pair it with
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Burford works well as a gateway stop—combine with a short villages loop and keep the day relaxed.
Great Wine with Dali and Banksy Artwork
6. The Double Red Duke, Clanfield (often shortened to “Red Duke”)
Why go
A bold, design-led take on a classic Cotswolds inn: open-fire cooking, a lively bar, and a “weekend escape” feel that works just as well for a long lunch as it does for a stay. It’s frequently featured in reputable round-ups (e.g., Top 50 Gastropubs’ profile notes Good Food Guide/press mentions).
Best for
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Couples’ weekends and “treat yourself” stays
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Food-led pub days (make this the anchor booking)
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Small groups who want atmosphere + comfort
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Travellers who prefer a stylish, boutique-inn vibe over a purely traditional village pub
Vibe
Heritage building, modern personality: colourful rooms, a busy social bar, and dining spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel restaurant than a quiet local.
Good to know
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The inn offers 19 individually designed bedrooms (so it can be both your pub stop and your base).
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Menus are explicitly described as seasonal, with cooking “over fire/embers” and daily specials.
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Their booking page notes they are cashless (cards only).
Planning tip
Use it as the centrepiece of your day: 2 villages before lunch + one scenic stop after. Book ahead for peak dates; if you’re staying, build a calmer itinerary and do fewer daily moves.
Pair it with
Ideal for a north/near-Oxfordshire edge of the Cotswolds route - good if you’re doing a “food + villages” day and want a strong base with minimal hassle.
Great selection of Whiskies and Spirits
The easiest way to plan a pub-led day
Choose one great pub booking, then add:
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1–2 villages before lunch
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1 scenic stop or shop after lunch
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1 final village for a short walk
Why this works: you avoid rushing, parking stress, and missed reservations.
Want a pub day without driving or parking stress?
We can build a private day around your preferred pub booking - door-to-door pickup from Oxford, London or airports, and villages chosen to match your pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I need to book pubs in the Cotswolds in advance?
For popular pubs - especially on Fridays, weekends, school holidays and in summer - yes, booking ahead is strongly recommended. Even if a place takes walk-ins, you’ll have a better day if your lunch stop is secured.
Q2. What time should I book lunch at a Cotswolds pub?
A safe window is 12:00–13:30. Earlier bookings tend to be easier and help you avoid queues, especially in the busiest villages.
Q3. How many villages should I combine with a pub lunch?
Most visitors enjoy 2 villages before lunch and 1–2 after. The Cotswolds looks small on a map, but narrow lanes, parking and slow traffic can make overpacked routes stressful.
Q4. Are these pubs easy to visit without a car?
Some are - if you choose the right base and keep your day focused. However, many of the best village pubs are not well-served by public transport. If you’re visiting without a car, plan fewer stops and consider one “driver day” to reach rural pubs comfortably.
Q5. What’s the best pub style to choose: traditional inn or gastropub?
If you want atmosphere and classic charm, choose a traditional inn. If you want the meal to be the highlight, choose a food-led gastropub. For many visitors, the ideal day is one iconic village + one food-led pub booking.
Q6. How long should I allow for a pub stop?
Plan 90–120 minutes for a relaxed lunch, longer if you’re dining with a larger group or staying for dessert/coffee. Rushing the pub stop usually makes the day feel like a checklist.
Q7. Can you help plan a route around a pub booking?
Yes. If you tell us your pickup point (Oxford, London or airport), timing and preferred pub, we can suggest a sensible village route around it—and if you want, provide private tours/transfers so you don’t need to drive or worry about parking.
