Rattlebone Inn

This is a genuine local pub where you'll find villagers actually spending their evenings, so the atmosphere feels lived-in rather than curated for visitors.

The building itself carries real character throughout. Inside, low beams run across the ceilings and traditional furnishings fill the rooms with a warmth that comes from straightforward hospitality rather than performance. The kitchen serves well-made pub food without pretension, and they stock real ales from local breweries if you want to support what's brewed nearby.

Sherston rewards exploring beyond the pub. The village sits within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, near the source of the River Avon, with excellent walking country fanning out in every direction. You can easily spend an afternoon moving between time inside the pub and countryside walks on foot. It also works strategically if you're driving between Malmesbury and Gloucester and want a proper stop rather than just passing through. The location hits a useful balance—close enough to reach other Cotswolds attractions without much trouble, yet far enough away to feel authentic rather than like one of the region's busier, more touristed spots.