PUBS
The Best Pub Gardens in the Cotswolds
Is there anything better than being sat in the sun, with a craft beer, in an idyllic pub garden? We don’t think so. The Cotswolds is home to some of the UK’s greatest pub gardens, whether you’re looking for a cosy spot to to enjoy a pint in the sun with a good view or an evening with friends, drinks and good food, these fantastic pub gardens cater to every taste. We’ve found the best boozers to soak up the sunny afternoons and balmy evenings ahead.
BY ARCHIE CAWTHRA
15 August 2024
1/21
Double Red Duke, Clanfield
The Double Red Duke is one of the Cotswolds most recognised pubs, and for good reason. It is a boutique pub in the Oxfordshire village of Clanfield. Set by a 13th-century church and opposite a 17th-century tavern, it's just a short drive from Cotswolds villages such as Bampton, the charming village famed for it’s use in Downton Abbey.
The garden is overlooked by the 17th century, wisteria-clad coaching inn making The Double Red Duke the perfect spot to enjoy a drink in the sun.
Bourton Rd, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2RB
2/21
The Feathered Nest Inn, Nether Westcote
If it’s views you’re looking for, The Feathered Nest certainly has the pub garden for you. This unrivalled view over The Cotswolds looks down on the Evenlode Valley and you can see over multiple counties. Arguably one of the greatest pub garden views in the UK.
The Feathered Nest Inn started life 350 years ago as a malt house. It was later converted into a traditional Cotswolds pub and, to this day, remains the heart of the village and a great place to while away a few hours. No matter whether you’re looking for somewhere to sup a pint of real ale or sip a glass of wine, champagne or gin after a walk in the Cotswolds countryside; staying the night at the Inn; or just popping in for a pint on a sunny afternoon, a hearty welcome from Adam and the team is assured.
Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire OX7 6SD
3/21
Horse and Groom, Bourton on the Hill
Sitting proudly at the top of Bourton on the Hill overlooking Moreton in Marsh and the beautiful Evenlode valley below, the Horse and Groom is a stunning Grade II listed roadside inn owned by the nearby Donnington Brewery.
Boasting five charming guest bedrooms, a wonderful large garden and spectacular views, the dog friendly pub offers classic British dishes with the finest local suppliers, while advantage of the plethora of game on their doorstep.
Bourton on the Hill, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9AQ
4/21
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge, Buckland Marsh
With the River Thames flowing next to the garden, The Trout has the perfect pub garden for slowing down. The Trout is one of my locals and is the perfect place to meet with family or friends for an evening drink.
Nestled deep in the West Oxfordshire countryside five minutes to the Downton Abbey famed village of Bampton, The Trout at Tadpole Bridge celebrates the very best of British pub country life. Surrounded by fields and with the River Thames flowing just outside their door, the cosy bar and boutique bedrooms are the perfect place for you to relax in classic Cotswold style.
Buckland Rd, Buckland Marsh, Faringdon SN7 8RF
5/21
The Lamb, Shipton-under-Wychwood
The Lamb is a historic Cotswolds pub situated in the beautiful village of Shipton Under Wychwood between Burford & Chipping Norton run by Peter Creed & Tom Noest, focussing on good simple pub food with a straightforward wine list, spirits and beer selection. There is a cosy bar area with lots of seating to have a quiet drink, a separate restaurant, a private dining room & also a large beer garden with frequent live music providing a charming atmosphere.
High Street, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire OX7 6DQ
6/21
The Bull, Charlbury
The Bull is one of The Cotswolds hottest new spots, recently celebrating its 1 year anniversary. When I last visited, I was amazed by the atmosphere across the whole pub, but in particular, the garden. Soft music was playing, groups of people were sitting with drinks and bar snacks laughing away and a gentleman in the corner was sitting reading the newspaper with a pie and pint, the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
The Bull had an unmatched ambiance, excellent food, good beer and pleasant staff.
Sheep St, Charlbury, Chipping Norton OX7 3RR
7/21
The Bell, Sapperton
The Bell at Sapperton is an independent, family-owned country pub, situated in the heart of the Cotswold Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Owned and run by Gloucestershire born and bred publican Peter Austen, they aim to offer great but relaxed hospitality and consistently great pub food prepared with fresh, seasonal and regionally sourced ingredients.
They’re multi-award winning and particularly well known throughout the region for their food, whilst proud of still being a top-notch pub in every sense of the word. They’re surrounded by invigorating walks, horse rides (we provide ‘Horse Parking’ too!) and bike rides. Roaring log fires and cosy corners in the winter, and a beautifully landscaped garden and courtyard for summer means the Bell has something for all seasons.
The Bell, Sapperton, Nr Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 6LE
8/21
The Killingworth, Woodstock
Set in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Wootton, near Woodstock & Blenheim Palace, the historic pub has eight luxury en-suite rooms with 3 AA Rosette food that focuses on seasonal, wild & organic fare from the Cotswolds.
Built in 1637, this stunning pub was once frequented by Winston Churchill when he lived round the corner in Blenheim Palace. It's the perfect spot for staycationing, set in beautiful countryside but near Oxford, Blenheim Palace and Cotswold villages for perfect days out. There's a lovely beer garden for summer cocktails and cosy intimate rooms with roaring fires in the Winter.
Glympton Rd, Wootton, Woodstock OX20 1EJ
9/21
The Fox, Oddington
The Fox is a 19th century British inn nestled in the Gloucestershire countryside. A village pub at the heart of the community with crackling log fires and a welcoming bar specialising in local beers and cocktails. The menu celebrates local producers including our sister farms at Daylesford Organic and Wootton.
The Fox was built in the seventeenth century from local stone likely to have been quarried from the fields around Oddington. It has been recorded as a pub since 1856. By 1862 The Fox had five rooms, a parlour, shop, carriage house and skittle alley.
If you’re feeling peckish, settle into one of the comfortable nooks in the bar, or dine in the bustling Saddle Room where you’ll find a menu of pub classics, wood-fired pizzas and seasonal specials. During these warmer months, while away the afternoon in the sun-soaked walled garden.
High St, Lower Oddington, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0UR
10/21
The Three Horseshoes, Asthall
The Three Horseshoes is an eighteenth-century pub set in the heart of the Cotswolds’ beautiful Windrush valley. The pub is home to one of the most popular beer gardens in The Cotswolds, a peaceful secluded garden with views over the Windrush Valley
Tucked away in the pretty village of Asthall, the walled garden looks out across rolling Cotswold hills. It’s the perfect environment to take in the surroundings and admire the local wildlife, including their regular visitors – a striking collection of native birds.
The sunny terrace and garden is surrounded by some of England’s most beautiful countryside. On warmer days, the garden is the perfect spot to enjoy lazy afternoons with a cold beer, a chilled glass of rosé and a wood-fired pizza, or balmy evenings sipping a cocktail. When the days turn crisp, wrap up in sheepskin blankets and keep warm with roast chestnuts from the fire pit, hot chocolate or a hot toddy.
Asthall Manor, Asthall, Burford OX18 4HW
11/21
The Fox, Barrington
A warm welcome awaits you at The Fox from the King family and their team who took over the pub in early 2022. As landlords at sister pub, The Angel at Burford since 2011, the Cotswold Pub Partnership are well known in the local area for outstanding food, drink and service, which they now bring to this second-to-none riverside location in the Cotswold village of Great Barrington.
In the winter, enjoy a drink next to the log burner in the cosy bar or dinner in the riverside restaurant, while a sunny day means the chance to dine and drink alfresco in the beautiful garden.
The Fox At Barrington, Great Barrington, Burford OX18 4TB
12/21
The Swan, Swinbrook
The Swan is an idyllic Cotswolds inn, on the banks of the River Windrush. I go to The Swan often as it is my go-to pub for a sunny day (not as often as I’d like!). The entire garden is a sun trap and the outdoor bar means you can stay in the sun. The pub is best described as tranquil, nestled deep in the Cotswold hills where all you can hear is soft music and surrounding wildlife. The perfect pub garden for an evening drink in the sun.
Swinbrook, Burford OX18 4DY
13/21
The Bell, Charlbury
Set in an apple orchard, the garden at The Bell is the perfect place to gather with friends and family. At just under an acre in size, the huge garden is planted with apple trees and wildflowers with a stream running through it.
During the warmer months, head here to while away afternoons playing games under the trees as you enjoy drinks into the evening. The garden bar stretches out over two terraces looking down across the orchard.
1 Church St, Charlbury, Chipping Norton OX7 3PP
14/21
The Crown, Ampney Brook
The outdoor space at The Crown offers more than just a breath of fresh air. As you sink into the comfortable seating, let the babbling brook and the whispering trees serenade you. It's a world away from the daily grind, and the perfect spot to truly unwind.
Ampney Crucis, Cirencester GL7 5RS
15/21
The Swan, Ascott-under-Wychwood
The Swan is a 16th century pub in the honey-stone village of Ascott-under-Wychwood is a stylish mix of rural chic and professional service. Outside you’ll find an delightful terrace garden with a wisteria-clad pergola. In short, the Swan offers all the character you hope to find in the heart of the Cotswolds.
4 Shipton Rd, Chipping Norton OX7 6AY
16/21
The Wild Rabbit, Kingham
The Wild Rabbit is one of those pubs perfect for soaking up the sunny afternoons and balmy evenings ahead. Dubbed the poshest pub in Britain, the Wild Rabbit still looks as polished and pristine as when it was opened in 2013 by Lady Bamford, founder of Daylesford.
Church St, Kingham, Chipping Norton OX7 6YA
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17/21
The Slaughters Country Inn, Lower Slaughter
Set in the heart of one of the most picturesque Cotswold villages, The Slaughters Country Inn offers the authentic charm of a traditional village inn, exceptional food made with the best local produce, a fine selection of local ales, roaring log fires to warm the winter months and a stunning terrace for when the sun shines.
The Slaughters Country Inn is the perfect location for a country break where wellies, walks and unwinding are the order of the day.
Lower Slaughter, Cheltenham GL54 2HS
18/21
The Fleece Inn, Bretforton
The Fleece Inn is the perfect example of a traditional country pub. The pub steeped in history, originally built in the early 15th century by a farmer named Byrd, the pub remained in the ownership of the same family until 1977. The last of the descendants was Miss Lola Taplin, a formidable character remembered by many of the locals, Lola bequeathed the pub to the National Trust when she died in 1977.
It remains largely unchanged, although it now serves delicious pub grub and most famously pays homage to the locally grown vegetable Asparagus during May and June. During the winter months traditional English favourites feature largely on the menu such as our famous Pies and locally made Faggots. When the summer months roll around the seasonally changed menu features popular choices such as traditional Ploughmans and the legendary Fleece Inn burger.
The Cross, Bretforton, Evesham WR11 7JE
19/21
The Ebrington Arms, Ebrington
Ebrington is a very special Cotswold village that gently breathes a pace and style of life that is seldom found but avidly sought. The Ebrington Arms captures this very essence, a village pub, homely and welcoming, fun and friendly, cosy, and snug with a landscaped ‘alfresco’ terrace and garden.
May Ln, Ebrington, Chipping Campden GL55 6NH
20/21
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Northleach
Step into the 17th century coaching inn and experience the charming bar and restaurant, enchanting gardens that bloom to life in summer, and menus filled with British seasonal ingredients.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, W End, Northleach, Cheltenham GL54 3EZ
21/21
The Bell, Langford
A pub near Burford run by Peter Creed and Tom Noest, focussing on good simple pub food with a straightforward wine list, spirits and beer selection. There is a cosy bar area with lots of seating to have a quiet drink, a separate restaurant with open fire and a view of the pizza oven, also a large beer garden overlooking the open countryside.
The Bell Inn, Langford, Nr. Burford. GL7 3LF