The best restaurants, pubs, and villages to visit in The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of my favourite parts of the UK. Given that it’s where my in-laws are based, it’s naturally a patch of the country that I find myself revisiting time and time again. Aside from its natural beauty and pretty villages, there are plenty of other reasons why I’m continually drawn back, including the dense concentration of excellent pubs and restaurants across the area. Following on from my guide to the best hotels in the Cotswolds, I thought I’d round up a list of can’t-miss restaurants, pubs, cafes, and places to visit below.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs:

Daylesford, Kingham

A Cotswold classic, Daylesford farm shop and deli sprawls across an impressive estate in Gloucestershire, encompassing various cottages that you can stay in, as well as their famous Bamford spa and health club. Pop in here for lunch in either Old Spot or Trough (menu options include hearty salads, pizzas, and more elevated dishes too), or pick up some gourmet ingredients and tasty supplies in their deli. Both restaurants are walk-in only, so expect to wait a little while for a table - the perfect opportunity to spend some time browsing the homewares in the farm shop.

The Bull, Charlbury, Charlbury

From the same minds behind west London pub favourite The Pelican, The Bull is an excellent restaurant with rooms located in quaint Charlbury. Expect seasonally led sharing plates cooked on the open fire, with my favourite dishes including the melt-in-the-mouth monkfish, crispy roast potatoes, and fresh, locally grown roast vegetables. Make sure to save room for dessert (the almond tart is a winner), and if you’re thinking of staying the night, you’ll find stylish, minimal bedrooms to sleep over upstairs.

Quince and Clover, Great Tew

Easily the best brunch cafe that you’ll find in the Cotswolds, Quince and Clover serves up ricotta pancakes and delicious eggs on sourdough to hungry locals almost every day of the week. You’ll also find their counter groaning with an impressive selection of homemade cakes and seasonal salads - alongside freshly churned ice cream.

Ox Barn, Southrop

Ox Barn restaurant is housed within Thyme, one of the most luxurious hotels in the area, and is manned by head chef Charlie Hibbert. Dishes on the menu are sophisticated and seasonal (the pea and ricotta crostini, and hazelnut tart are two of my favourites), and the setting manages to be contemporary and sleek all at once: think marble-topped tables and plush banquettes to curl up on inside a stunning and spacious converted barn. Make sure to take a wander around the impressive gardens after your meal.

The Swan Inn, Ascott under Wychwood

Visit this cosy restaurant with rooms for stellar British food: the menu features all of your favourite classics (don’t miss the homemade pies served with lashings of gravy and creamy mash), and make sure to sample their homemade bread and generous puddings too; definitely one to visit for those with a large appetite.

The Bell Inn, Langford

One of my favourite restaurants ever, let alone in the Cotswolds, The Bell Inn at Langford is a gourmet restaurant with rooms serving up delicious pub grub: think lip-smackingly good classics with a tasty twist. Don’t miss their flatbread starters, and make sure to save room for their moreish puddings too - on Sundays, they serve an epic roast. Sister pubs The Fox Inn and The Lamb Inn are equally as good and serve very similar menus.

Burford Garden Centre, Burford

One of Burford’s best attractions, the garden centre is well worth a visit - you could easily spend several hours browsing the bookshop, shop, and deli. Stop for lunch or coffee at the garden cafe, where you’ll find daily-changing hot meals, tasty sandwiches, and freshly baked cakes served every day.

The Chequers, Churchill

Sister restaurant to The Swan Inn (above), The Chequers is a family-friendly pub in Churchill, with a laidback feel and delicious menu of British classics. Enjoy fish and chips in the main restaurant (featuring soaring ceilings with wooden beams), or watch the match of the day whilst nibbling on drinks and appetisers in the front room.

The Wild Rabbit, Kingham

Part of the Daylesford empire, this self-described modern British inn is much more sophisticated than its website might lead you to believe. Bookings often fill up months in advance for a table here, where you can expect elegant and delicious three-course dinners.

The Double Red Duke, Clanfield

This cosy restaurant-come-hotel boasts beautifully designed bedrooms (expect jewel-coloured bathtubs and gorgeous wallpapers), along with several different dining areas to sprawl out across. Sit in the leafy Orangery that spills into the gardens and tuck into steaks with salt and vinegar chips followed by indulgent puddings.

Pretty villages

Burford

As ‘the gateway to the Cotswolds’, Burford features a bustling high street, and can’t be missed if you’re driving into the area from Oxford or London. Browse the chic boutique stores lining the high street, and peek inside the historic church here (where I got married!) before heading to Burford Garden Centre.

Bibury

Famed for its ‘chocolate box’ cottages framing the River Coln, Bibury is possibly one of the prettiest villages in the area - make sure to wander up and down Arlington Row, one of the best locations to snap those Instagram-worthy shots.

Lower and Upper Slaughter

The River Eye winds through Lower Slaughter, where charming cottages frame either side of the bank. Stroll along the riverside until you reach the old mill, where you can then follow the path into equally as pretty Upper Slaughter.

Broadway

Located in the north of the Cotswolds, Broadway features a high street of boutique shops that are worth perusing - and make sure to round off your visit by popping into Broadway Deli for coffee.

And more: Castle Combe, Chipping Norton, Chipping Campden, Stow on the Wold, Bourton on the Water