We went on our first trip to the Cotswolds over the summer and it was a dream. Everything you imagine the English countryside to be, the Cotswolds is. With thatched roof cottages, rolling hills, charming villages, and timeless beauty, the Cotswolds are something out of a fairytale.
The Cotswolds is also home to some of the best pubs in the UK. And when you think of pubs in the countryside, you will get just that- fireside corners, wood beams, hearty meals crafted from local produce, or a perfect pint of ale.
The Cotswolds offers a wealth of exceptional pubs to explore. From historic inns brimming with character to modern gastropubs serving innovative dishes, these establishments capture the spirit of the countryside, tradition, and hospitality.
If you’re planning a visit, here’s our guide to discovering the best Cotswolds pubs.
We took the guesswork out and found the best, highest-reviewed, and most amazing ambiance.
The Bull
Charlbury

The Bull has graced the corner of Charlbury since the early 1500s and has retained its historic warm-hearted charm. Where known celebrities are rumored to gather (for good reason) or the Londoners who make the hour-long trek to eat and drink at The Bull.
The Bull is the perfect spot to enjoy an open-fired meal, sit by the burning fire, enjoy a Keller Pilsner, and chit-chat with the patrons.
We enjoyed both breakfast and dinner at this perfect English Cotswolds pub. We order an array of offerings, our favorites being fresh Cider Mussels and the apple pork chop with roasted mash.
We found The Bull to be one the best Cotswolds pubs for breakfast. The eggy bread was suburb. The Bloody Mary hit the spot after a night out at the bar.
Rating: 4.6 (532 reviews)
Location: Sheep St, Charlbury, Chipping Norton OX7 3RR, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1608 656957
Website: Visit Website
The Porch
Stow-on-the-Wold


The Porch is arguably the most famous pub in the Cotswolds and claims the title of England’s oldest inn.
Step inside this honey-colored cottage, with rustic interiors, complete with exposed beams and crackling fireplaces, creates a warm and inviting ambiance perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring the stunning English countryside.
This Cotswolds pub menu showcases starters like Cotswold gin-cured salmon and ham hock terrine to engage the palate. Main courses include classics such as beer-battered haddock and chips, alongside innovative options like the vegan Buddha bowl.
The Porch House burger and slow-cooked beef blade are highly recommended. For a quintessential British experience, their Sunday roast features roast sirloin of beef or roasted pork belly. The dessert menu tempts with sticky toffee pudding and dark chocolate delice.
To complement a meal, enjoy some excellent Brakspear ales and try a few of their creative cocktails.
Rating: 4.3 (1500 reviews)
Location: 1 Digbeth St, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1BN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1451 870048
Website: Visit Website
Cotswolds Afternoon Tea: Looking for a picture-perfect afternoon tea in the Cotswolds? We found the best in the beautiful countryside HERE.
The Plough Prestbury
Prestbury

This whimsical grade 2 listed thatched cottage pub in the beautiful Prestbury is all things friendly- kids, family, dogs, tourists, locals, Londoners, race fans, and even horses!
With a one-acre garden featuring a stream, ample outdoor seating, a boules pitch, and a children’s play area, The Plough is the ideal location to meet with friends or watch a horse race.
The pub focuses on traditional cider and cask ales, served directly from casks via a small hatch. The interior includes a cozy tap room with an open fire for winter warmth. In summer, The Plough hosts a lively Cider Festival with live music, dancing, and entertainment.
Rating: 4.8 (1500 reviews)
Location: Mill Street, Prestbury, Cheltenham, United Kingdom, GL52 3BG
Contact: +44 1242 361506
Website: Visit Website
The Wild Rabbit
Kingham

Set in the peaceful hidden gem village of Kingham, The Wild Rabbit brings all the charm of a traditional English countryside pub.
Settle in near the double-sided wood-burning fireplace, or in a comfy nook for a specialty cocktail, artisan beers, or fine glass of wine.
During the warmer season enjoy the lovely outdoor terrace to unwind with friends.
Rating: 4.5 (500+)
Location: The Wild Rabbit Church Street Kingham Oxfordshire OX7 6YA
Contact: +44 01608 692866
Website: Visit Website
The Stump
Cirencester


The Stump is a vibrant Cotswolds pub that has earned its place as one of the area’s best-loved spots for craft pints and artisan pizzas.
This country pub invites you to unwind and indulge in a well-curated selection of beers and a delicious range of pizzas crafted with fresh, local ingredients with an innovative touch.
Each pizza is a testament to the pub’s commitment to quality and flavor, making it a must-visit for food or craft enthusiasts exploring the Cotswolds.
Beyond the exceptional food and drinks, The Stump is a gathering place where memories are made. It’s a space where locals and visitors unite, forging a sense of community over shared meals and conversations.
Address: Foscross Lane, Cirencester, Cheltenham GL54 4NN, United Kingdom
Rating: 4.6 (756 reviews)
Contact: +44 1285 720288
Website: Visit Website
Back Lane Tavern
Woodstock

Tucked away behind the main streets, The Back Lane Tavern is a stylish, cozy pub cherished by locals for years. It offers a menu of international small plates (the Korean Chicken Wings are an absolute must), bar snacks, real ales, artisanal cocktail,s and a wine list featuring 30+ wines by the glass.
Snowshill Arms
Snowhill
Snowshill Arms is a cozy country pub and the main place to dine in Snowhill. It dates back to the 15th century and has been rumored to be once a brewery for monks at Winchcombe Abbey.
Snowhill Arms is located near villages such as Broadway, where you can take in the area’s scenic beauty.
With its charm and welcoming atmosphere, it has become one of the most beloved and best Cotswolds pubs for a pint and hearty meal. You can enjoy a variety of real ales from Donnington Brewery and delicious traditional pub food.
The menu features a range of options from sandwiches to hot meals, with daily specials that often highlight seasonal local produce. A favorite among patrons is their traditional Sunday Roast, making it a must-visit spot on a weekend.
Snowshill Arms is family-friendly, dogs, as well as walkers, are always welcome. Ample parking adds to the convenience of visiting. During warmer months, bring the kids to the outdoor play area.
Rating: 4.5 (801 reviews)
Location: Snowshill Arms
Contact: +44 1386 852653
Website: Home
Hollow Bottom
Guiting Power


Named by the locals for being in the hollow of an area of a village, Hollow Bottom is where Rugby, football, and racing fans, and community members gather for a cold pint or suburb Sunday roast.
In this enchanting historic pub, a premium seasonal menu is offered. For winter, start with soup of the day or hot meat pie to take the chill out, indulge in an Ale braised shin of beef with potatoes, and finish off with a proper British pud.
For those wanting a proper British Sunday Roast, Hollow Bottom is not to miss. Be sure to pair your roast with the maple-roasted carrots and the apple stuffing, yum.
Rating: 4.6 (606 reviews)
Location: The Hollow Bottom, Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5UX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1451 539890
Website: hollowbottom.com
Ebrington Arms
Ebrington

The Ebrington Arms is a beautiful 200+-year-old village pub in the north Gloucestershire Cotswolds is perfect for sharing meals with family or gathering for drink and conversation with friends.
Step inside to find a cozy interior with rustic wooden beams, stone walls, and inviting fireplaces, creating a perfect setting for relaxation and a glass of wine.
Enjoy a pub classic like a Sirloin of Wiltshire beef and fries with a cold pint, or a warm chocolate torte with raspberry sorbet.
Rating: 4.4 (720 reviews)
Location: May Ln, Ebrington, Chipping Campden GL55 6NH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1386 593223
Website: Visit Website
The Chequers
Churchill Chipping Norton


This classic English pub is perfectly set in the village of Churchill with stunning honey-colored cottages, a village green, and a historic church. This village and its pub are everything you think of when you think of the Cotswolds.
The Chequers is an adult-friendly gastropub featuring flagstone floors, rustic wooden beams, candle-lit antique tables, and a well-loved dartboard.
This Cotswolds pub is for those looking for a relaxed yet cozy atmosphere, where dogs are welcome, the pints are ice-cold and the food is amazing (we are still dreaming of the twice-baked cheddar souffle).
Enjoy the inviting warmth of an open fire in the bar during cooler months or dine elegantly outdoors on delightful) summer evenings.
Rating: 4.6 (810 reviews)
Location: Church Rd, Churchill, Chipping Norton OX7 6NJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 1608 659393
Website: Visit Website
The Kingham Plough
Kingham

The Kingham Plough is a handsome honey-colored pub located in one of our favorite Cotswolds villages, Kingham. The Kingham Plough is often celebrated as one of the best Cotswolds pubs serving feel-good dishes and cold pints.
This family-owned Cotswolds pub serves quality, locally sourced meals. Enjoy timeless pub classics like perfectly wood-fired Herefordshire steaks, Salt Pig charcuterie, or fresh seafood,
Behind the bar, you’ll find an exceptional lineup of craft ales and locally brewed beers, alongside meticulously mixed cocktails made with premium spirits. Or take advantage of the thoughtfully curated list of handpicked international wines.
Rating: 4.7 (532 reviews)
Location: The Green, Kingham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 6YD
Contact: +44 01608 658327
Website: Visit Website
The Crown
Church Enstone

The Crown Inn in the Cotswolds is also owned by the same family as The Kingham Plough. It carries the same philosophy as their other establishments- crafting stunning seasonal dishes with the finest fresh, local ingredients.
Relax in the cutest thatched cottage and treat yourself to one of The Crowns’s daily specials, a Sunday Roast, a bar snack a glass of wine, or a top-shelf nightcap by the Inglenook fireplace.
Rating: 4.5 (500+ reviews)
Location: Mill Lane, Church Enstone Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 4NN, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 01608 677262
Website: Visit Website
The Hare
Milton-under-Wychwood

Perfectly situated within the popular Cotswolds villages of Burford, Chipping Norton, and Stow-on-the-Wold, The Hare is the Idyllic English country pub.
With its stylish and charming gentleman-like interiors and pastoral Milton Stone facade, one will find a warm welcome and a hearty meal.
In addition, The Hares’s menu showcases locally sourced, seasonal ingredients with highlights such as tender wood-fired steaks, fresh seafood dishes, and inventive takes on classic British pub fare. Favorites include the Paddock Farm Cheeseburger or a sweet treat like White Chocolate & Raspberry Cheesecake.
Rating: 4.5 (500+ reviews)
Location: 3 High Street, Milton under Wychwood, Oxfordshire. OX7 6LA
Contact: +44 07395 774383
Website: Visit Website
Horse & Hound
Broadway

The Horse & Hound in Broadway is one of the best Cotswolds subs for an unpretentious hearty meal by a roaring fire or in the beer garden during warm months.
At this traditional 16th-century Cotswolds pub, one can indulge in pub classics like famous pies, traditional Sunday roasts, and daily specials featuring fresh fish and crafted pizzas.
Pair your meal with a fantastic selection of local wines, craft beers, ciders, and expertly mixed cocktails.
Rating: 4.2 (300+ reviews)
Location: 54 High Street, Broadway, United Kingdom, WR12 7DT
Contact: +44 1386 852287
Website: Visit Website
The Red Lion
Long Compton

The bar at The Red Lion exudes timeless British charm, with its oak beams, crackling log fires, polished wood, and inviting chairs creating a warm, old-world ambiance.
Sitting by the inglenook fireplace enhances the cozy setting, while the wide selection of quality drinks including locally distilled Cotswolds gin, whiskey, local ales, and a carefully curated selection of wines make The Red Lion Inn pub s serene spot for a relaxed catch-up with loved ones.
For those who want a bite to eat, The Red Lion Inn serves up bar snacks and an award-winning seasonal menu. Enjoy pies, burgers, Sunday roasts and proper Yorkshire puddings
Rating: 4.5 (500+ reviews)
Location: Main Street, Long Compton, United Kingdom, CV36 5JS
Contact: +44 1608 684221
Website: Visit Website
The Bell at Stow
Stow-on-the-Wold

On the edge of the storybook-like village of Stow-on-the-Wold, The Bell brings the freshest ingredients inspired by the Cotswolds countryside to create changing seasonal dishes.
Take a seat in The Bell’s cottage interiors of low wood beams, and flickering fire. Enjoy one of their small plates (the oven-bakes Camembert was amazing) a main dish, an amazing sticky toffee pudding, or a pint of cask ale.
On Sundays, The Bell takes great pride in their Sunday roasts with double egg Yorkies, potatoes, and the chef’s secret recipe gravies making it one of the best Cotswolds
Rating: 4.5 (800+ reviews)
Location: Park Street, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1AJ
Contact: +44 11451 870916
Website: Visit Website
The White Hart Royal
Moreton-in-Marsh

The White Hart Royal Hotel is ideally situated in the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, at the gateway to the picturesque Evenlode Valley in the heart of the English Cotswolds.
Originally a historic coaching inn, the hotel gained prominence when King Charles I sought refuge there following the Battle of Marston Moor on July 2, 1644. A plaque in the entrance lobby commemorates the King’s visit and his unpaid bill, adding a touch of royal history to this charming establishment.
Its restaurant and Cotswolds pub are equally intriguing with small plates, vegan options, everyday staples, and beers and ciders to complement.
The bar offers a relaxed and casual setting to enjoy the main menu, afternoon tea & sandwich menu, & Sunday menu. With its traditional Cotswolds décor and a cozy wood fire that crackles during the winter months, it’s the perfect locale to unwind in comfort.
Rating: 4.5 (1000+ reviews)
Location: High St, Moreton in Marsh, United Kingdom, GL56 0BA
Contact: +44 1608 650731
Website: Visit Website
The Potting Shed

Walking into the The Potting Shed is like walking into a cozy home. With comfy chairs, a warm fire, and a delicious meal, The Potting Shed is one of the Cotswold’s Best Pubs.
With a rotating menu meant to showcase the unique flavors and culinary styles of the season, you are bound to have a unique experience each time you visit.
The Potting Shed is the perfect Cotswolds pub for a nice drink and dessert after a long week, having an intimate date or birthday, or a family-friendly dinner on Sunday.
Rating: 4.3 (1300+ reviews)
Location: The Street, CRUDWELL, SN16 9EW
Contact: +44 1666 577 833
Website: Visit Website
In conclusion, the Cotswolds is home to some of the most charming and characterful pubs in the UK, offering everything from hearty meals and local ales to cozy fireplaces and stunning countryside views.
If you’re seeking a historic inn steeped in tradition or a modern gastropub with a creative menu, the Cotswolds is worth the adventure.
So, as you explore this picturesque region, be sure to stop by one of these delightful pubs (or stay at one of the best pubs with rooms in the Cotswolds) to savor the true essence of Cotswold hospitality.
Cheers!

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