RESTAURANTS

The Ox Barn at Thyme launches new Prix Fixe Menu

BY ARCHIE CAWTHRA

The Ox Barn at Thyme have recently launched a brand new Prix Fixe menu. The new menu reflects the season at hand and uses the produce from Thyme’s kitchen garden. We were invited to the Ox Barn to try out their new menu and it did not disappoint!

The Ox Barn is Thyme at Southrop Manor’s restaurant, run by talented head chef, Charlie Hibbert, the son of Caryn Hibbert (Thyme’s founder). Thyme is out in the sticks in the quintessential Cotswold village of Southrop, before we had lunch, we had a walk around the Thyme estate. It was one of them places where you could have fallen asleep on the grass. There were no busy roads or busy towns in sight, you were surrounded by stunning Cotswold Stone buildings such as The Lodge, Thyme’s cottages and houses in the village of Southrop. Not only that, but the view from The Lodge looked out over miles of Cotswold countryside. It clearly took time to make Thyme, with the story of the land imbued in every detail. Eating, drinking, sleeping, relaxing or even walking around Thyme gives you a moment to pause for thought, slow down, and connect with nature.

When it comes to restaurants open in the Cotswolds, they tend to be split into two categories, luxury and chic or rustic and cosy. But when it comes to the Ox Barn at Thyme, it’s truly a mix of both. The restaurant is one of them restaurants where you can enjoy a great meal but still feel relaxed, the friendly staff and relaxing music certainly help that atmosphere as well! The Ox Barn used to be a very derelict building in an awful state as Caryn Hibbert states in her Cotswold Style Interview. Which you can not believe when you see the Ox Barn today.

Even though I had been to Thyme multiple times before, I’ve never eaten at The Ox Barn, I’ve been to the Baa Bar (the bar at Thyme), the Meadow Spa (the wellness spa and pool), The Swan (Thyme’s pub) and also walked around the estate to relax. I had heard incredible things about The Ox Barn from friends and family so had been desperate to visit for ages. It did not disappoint. I had high expectations walking in as all other of Thyme’s food and drink establishments were incredible. The expectations were met plus more!

All the staff we met on the day were so lovely and helpful giving us their recommendations and telling us more about The Ox Barn. Me and my party both had three courses, each one getting better as it went on! For my starters I ordered Braised chickpeas & escarole, for the main I ordered Beef & peppercorn ragu on soft polenta and for my pudding, I got the Semifreddo Montebianco (chocolate and chestnut semifreddo). All of these dishes were beyond incredible, my personal favourite was the Semifreddo Montebianco, arguably one of the best puddings I’ve ever had.

The guest I brought was vegetarian, even though it’s a small menu, they catered amazingly for vegetarians! My guest loved the food so much she’s already booked to come back in the coming weeks! She also ordered the Braised chickpeas & escarole for starter, the Orecchiette con rape for her main course and she got the Almond & lemon cannoli for pudding.

The Prix Fixe menu is available Monday-Sunday at lunch.

Braised chickpeas & escarole