The Blinking Owl

Locals come here regularly, and visitors find it offers a genuine sense of how these villages actually function rather than just passing through as a tourist.

You can stop in for a drink after a walk and choose from ales, lagers, and spirits, or have some straightforward pub food for lunch or dinner. The interior features a proper fire on cooler days, and there's a garden where you can sit outside when weather permits. It's the sort of place where you naturally slow down and take in the peaceful surroundings that define this part of the Cotswolds.

Broughton itself deserves exploration beyond the pub, particularly Broughton Castle, which stands right here in the village and rewards a visit if you enjoy history and grounds to walk around. The pub makes a natural stopping point before or after visiting the castle. If you need broader facilities or travel connections, Banbury lies a short drive away as the nearest proper market town. For anyone travelling through the northern Cotswolds, this is exactly the kind of authentic village stop that often turns out to be the highlight of a day out.