The Rampant Cat

It's the sort of place that genuinely reflects how people spend their time in a working rural village, without any of the polished self-consciousness you sometimes find elsewhere in the Cotswolds.

Penwood itself has a different feel from the famous honey-coloured stone villages you'll find in other parts of the region. The countryside around here is quieter and more understated, with good walking access into the North Wessex Downs if you want to explore on foot. The area has stayed rooted in its agricultural traditions for centuries, and the pub is very much part of that fabric.

Location-wise, you're only a short drive south of Newbury, so Penwood works well as a stopping point if you're moving around the region. It's close enough to Highclere Castle and other local attractions that you could easily combine a visit here with other plans in the area. What you get at The Rampant Cat is honest hospitality—good food and drink, friendly service, and a genuine sense of how people live in this corner of England. Whether you're just passing through or settling in for a longer stay, it's worth a visit.