The Cotswolds is brimming with pretty pubs, where you can enjoy a pint of real ale and a hearty lunch – perfect for fuelling up if you’ve spent the morning exploring the countryside on foot or by bike.
SoGlos rounds up 14 of the best Cotswold pub lunches, where you can tuck into everything from classic doorstop sandwiches, to Ploughman’s platters or a light salad.
The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold
The Porch House in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold is a prime example of how to blend Cotswold heritage with contemporary styling – with dining available in the restaurant, bar, lounge or garden, as well as private dining options too.
The Porch House’s modern menus include mains such as Asian crispy duck salad, roasted butternut squash and goat’s cheese risotto, ale battered haddock; and wild mushroom and tarragon dumplings.
The Plough Inn in Ford
Fine food and real ale aplenty await diners at The Plough Inn in Ford, near Temple Guiting, a traditional country pub that dates back to the 16th century and has a rich horse racing heritage.
Come lunchtime, hungry visitors can enjoy devouring everything from baguettes crammed with tasty fillings, to the homemade soup of the day - with pie of the day with mash or chips, or homemade cottage pie topped with cheesy mash and served with veg for heartier appetites.
The Maytime Inn in Asthall
The Maytime Inn is nestled in a beautiful setting in the Cotswold village of Asthall, near Burford, offering a relaxing spot for drinking and dining, as well as a beautiful pub garden.
With plenty of walks on its doorstop, The Maytime Inn makes the ideal stopping-off point for a pub lunch during a day’s rambling. On the menu are sandwiches, wild boar burgers and pan-fried hake.
The Fuzzy Duck in Armscote
In a
picturesque setting, The Fuzzy Duck is a family-run pub that offers a
contemporary spin on the traditional Cotswold pub experience.
As well as real ales on tap, an extensive wine list and simple bar menu, The Fuzzy Duck’s à la carte menu offers more substantial restaurant fare, such as pan-roasted pork chops and blade of beef pie.
The Ebrington Arms in Chipping Campden
The Ebrington Arms is a family-run pub that has been at the heart of the local community since the 1640s, serving beer
from its own Yubberton Brewery.
Now a popular Cotswold gastropub, diners can tuck into exceptionally-cooked classic dishes like pork belly with red cabbage and walnut mash, or short horn steak with chestnut mushroom ketchup.
The Lion Inn in Winchcombe
From truffle mac and cheese and Hereford burgers with smoked cheddar, to beer-battered haddock and chips, expect a quality pub lunch at The Lion Inn - a charming pub located in Winchcombe.
If it’s nippy outside, head to The Lion Inn’s restaurant or cosy snug. There's a nice pub garden to look forward to in the summer.
The Angel at Burford
The Angel at Burford serves up dishes that focus on simplicity and quality, with the 16th century coaching inn offering a nice place to stop for lunch in the town known as ‘The Gateway to the Cotswolds’.
The pub’s menu features the likes of beer battered fish and chips with minted mushy peas; Kelmscott pork steak with apple chutney; and crispy parma ham wrapped chicken breast.
The Halfway House in Kineton
Whether you’re a local or a Cotswold day tripper, make a detour to include a lunch stop at The Halfway House in Kineton – halfway between Temple Guiting and Guiting Power.
As well as a welcoming country pub atmosphere, expect a menu featuring Ploughman’s, slow-braised beef and sherry pie; and a tasty selection of sandwiches.
The King's Arms in Didmarton
The King’s Arms is a traditional British pub in a pretty countryside setting near Badminton – with a charming garden and wood-fired pizza oven during the summer months.
Choose from local, seasonal dishes like venison with fondant potatoes, and whole gilthead bream with clams and new potatoes, alongside pub favourites like honey and mustard roast ham with egg and chips.
The Bell at Sapperton
The Bell at Sapperton is a quintessential Cotswold country pub nestled between Stroud and Cirencester, with cosy spots by an open fire in the winter and a pretty courtyard garden during the summer.
Here, you can tuck into lunchtime pub staples, such as proper homemade pies and mash. There’s also a small plates menu made for afternoon sharing and some decadent puds if you’ve got a sweet tooth.
The Craven Arms in Brockhampton
This traditional 16th century Cotswold pub is hot on sustainability, locally sourced ingredients and is incredibly cosy. It's got an expansive beer garden for the summer and toasty roaring fires to warm up beside in the colder months.
Independently-owned, it's loved by locals and visitors alike for its cheery charm and warm welcome.
The Wild Rabbit in Kingham
It's a bit pricier than your average Cotswold pub, but you absolutely get what you pay for. From flickering flames in the two open pub fires, to slick service with a smile, there's the more relaxed bar area for a snack or a more upmarket restaurant with considered plates of fine dining food.
If you fancy a coffee or a pint on the terrace, it's a relaxing spot to watch the world go by, or rest your feet after a stroll in the stunning countryside.
The Mount Inn in Stanton
This is a stunning spot where the view's as good as the food. Take in the Vale of Evesham below you, with patchwork fields stretching all the way over to the Malvern Hills. The 17th century village pub is a perfect stop off on the Cotswold Way National Trail. Close to Broadway and Winchcombe, it's also a cracking spot to fuel up after a day of sightseeing.
Enjoy fish and chips, burgers, gammon and chips, platters, salads and a host of specials that are seasonally updated.
The Green Dragon Inn in Cockleford
This 17th century inn doesn't just have roaring fires, it has a farm shop too - so you can take plenty of tasty treats home with you. Tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Cockleford, you'll enjoy good food and fine wines and a great sense of being away from it all.
Favourites include mint marinated lamb chops, grilled red mullet fillets and fish finger sandwiches.
