Kingham Plough

It's equally suited to dropping in for a drink and a bite or settling down for a longer evening. The kitchen works with local producers, and the whole place has a genuinely relaxed feel—you'll be just as welcome if you're passing through as you would be for a full meal.

The pub has comfortable rooms upstairs, making it a practical option if you want to stay overnight and use it as a base for exploring the surrounding area. It's managed the balancing act well: keeping the character of a proper village local while also offering contemporary dining, all without losing the community atmosphere that's kept it going over the years.

Kingham itself is a pleasant enough place to wander around, and you're close to the Daylesford Organic estate if that's on your agenda. From here, you're also well-positioned to reach proper market towns like Chipping Norton and Stow-on-the-Wold, so combining a night here with wider exploration of the Cotswolds works perfectly. Whether you're after a decent place to eat or a reason to base yourself in the area for a night, this does the job.