Welcome to Grammar School Cottage

The Rose and Crown

This is the 'local' for Grammar School Cottage.  A traditional 'wet' pub, this place serves an excellent selection of traditional real ales.  The Campaign for Real Ale's pub of the year four times in the last seven years is at the heart of life in Charlbury.  

The Bull

The Bull is currently being refurbished by the new tenants who also run The Pelican, Notting Hill, London.  Experience to date suggests that this will be an excellent gastro pub when it reopens later in 2023.

The Four Horseshoes

Ye Olde Four Horseshoes is worth the short wall down Sheep Street.  Formerly, The Railway Arms, this is a traditional local pub serving beers, wines and spirits.

The Bell

The Bell has recently been acquired by Lady Carole Bamford of Daylesford Organic fame. Lady Bamford already owns The Fox in Lower Oddington and The Wild Rabbit in Kingham.  We can expect the fully refurbished Bell to be one of the very best fine dining restaurants in Oxfordshire.

The Plough

The Plough Inn, Finstock serves really excellent local produce - including Cornbury Park venison - alongside seafood specially delivered from the south coast. It's all home made and it's a comfortable walk from Charlbury for Sunday lunch.  Recommended local dining $.

The Royal Oak

Dating from 1660 and sited on the Roman road Akeman Street, The Oak at Ramsden takes gastropub dining to the next level.  Check out their web site here.  Recommended gastropub dining $$.

The Lamb

Another excellent local gastropub, The Lamb Inn, Crawley serves the classic hearty, British classic dishes that everyone loves. Sample menus are available here. Lots of options but probably $$.

The Fox

The Fox, Leafiled gets consistently excellent reviews and scores a maximum 5/5 on Tripadvisor.  Classic dishes cooked perfectly and at a sensible price.  More details at their web site.  Good value $.

The Bird in Hand

One of the best restaurants in the area.  Great food, great atmosphere, great customer service..  Walkable via Finstock and Ramsden, this will not disappoint. Web site with sample menus here, $$

The Swan

One of two local restaurants owned by Lionhearth Group, The Swan at Ascott-under-Wychwood dates from the mid fifteenth century.  Local food from local farms served by experts.  You can take this in your stride with a long, circular walk around Charlbury.  Well worth a visit.  More details here. $$.

The Tite Inn

A stone's throw from Diddly Squat Farm Shop and Clarkson's Farm,  The Tite Inn serves good, honest food at sensible prices.  They have a web site here.  $

The Killingworth Castle

Boasting two AA rosettes and a Michelin recommendation, this gastropub is one of the very best in Oxfordshire.  The head chef, Adam Brown, learned from the best Michelin restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay & Le Champignon Sauvage. More details here.  $$$

The Chequers

Unpretentious and dog-friendly, but don't be fooled into thinking this is all about 'pub grub'.  The menu is as sophisticated as you might expect from the second Linonhearth pub on our list. Even the wine list is special.  British classics don't get any better.  More details are available here. $$

The Kingham Plough

I am probably best leaving this to The Telegraph:  "This is the quintessential Cotswold country pub with rooms, a handsome honey-stone old inn with eclectic furnishings, crackling fires, sunny terrace and relaxing vibe. Set in the heart of a particularly pretty village, it’s a genial venue that offers a high-end take on classic pub food" .  Matt and Katie Beamish run the pub with Emily Watkins of the Fat Duck as head chef. Fine dining with menus available here.  $$$

The Wild Rabbit

Lady Carole Bamford's gastropub venture The Wild Rabbit is part of the Daylesford estate – one of the most sustainable organic farms in the UK.  Sam Bowser is the executive chef and, having worked under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, you can expect the very best from him and his team.  Go to the Wild Rabbit website here. $$$$