A346 passes The Plough
PubEat & Drink

The Plough on the Hill

in Badbury

📷 Photo by Stuart Logan · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

This traditional village pub sits on a hilltop in Chiseldon, just south of Swindon on the eastern edge of the Cotswolds.

Visit website → Marlborough Road, SN4 0EP

The name references its elevated position, which gives it real practical value if you're walking the ancient Ridgeway path or simply want to pause and look out across the rolling downland.

Inside, it's straightforward and welcoming. There's a proper fire for cooler days, outdoor seating when conditions allow, and the kitchen handles standard pub fare alongside a solid range of local ales and other drinks. It's the sort of place that works equally well whether you're stopping briefly during a countryside walk or settling in for an evening.

The location makes it particularly useful as a base for exploring further afield. Marlborough and Avebury are both close enough for day trips, so if you want to venture beyond the immediate village, you can head out from here and return for a proper meal and drink. What's refreshing about it is the straightforwardness—it doesn't aim to be anything other than a reliable, unpretentious local pub. That honesty in approach is part of its appeal. Whether you're after a quick pint between walks or planning a longer visit, it handles both equally well and without any fuss.

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Reference & sources
51.52194°N, 1.72451°W Data: osm