The Greyhound Inn, Oxfordshire

Overview

Tucked away in the pretty Letcombe Regis beneath the Berkshire Downs, the Greyhound Inn has been transformed into a vibrant village local by Martyn Reed and Catriona Galbraith, offering an impressive choice of real ales, delicious modern British pub food and cosy rooms.

There's a rambling bar and a series of cosy dining rooms, where wood floors, scrubbed and old dining tables, and a vast inglenook fireplace and a wood-burner, the latter fronted by deep leather armchairs, combine to create a comfortable and very relaxing atmosphere. It's a sought-after dining destination, popular with walkers and foodies alike.

The pub is also a great option for equestrians, as the inn partners with a local stables to offer overnight accommodation for up to three horses - perfect for exploring the Ridgeway on horseback. For those wishing to while away the afternoon outdoors, settle down at one of the picnic benches in the sun-trap garden, bordered by climbing roses and dotted with colourful pots.

Rooms from

Doubles/twin: £110

Good to know

Major credit cards accepted (not Amex)
Disabled access
Alfresco & private dining
Parking available
Dog stay: £15

Family favourite
Little ones allowed throughout the pub, with their own menu and a number of kid-friendly rooms.

Dog-friendly
Dog biscuits at the bar and three dog-friendly rooms (Childrey; Uffington; Lambourn) kitted out with dog bed, bowl, treats and towel.

Outdoor adventures
The ancient Ridgeway path is a couple of miles from the Greyhound, making the pub a perfect stopover for walkers or cyclists following this trail.

Rooms

The eight individually furnished rooms are spread across two floors above the bar and named after important local places of interest, including Ridgeway (after the ancient downland trackway) and Segsbury, which is a local Iron Age hill fort on the Ridgeway.

Using local interior designers and carpenters, they have been simply yet stylishly refurbished and kitted out - all feature calming heritage hues with splashes of bold colour, rich fabrics and tartan upholstered headboards on Hypnos beds. There's an intriguing mix of antique dark wood and pine painted furniture, and a number of rooms have original timbers and eaves. Smart bathrooms either have a shower or a shower over a bath, with Oxford boasting a striking blue roll-top tub, and organic Bramley toiletries.

Enjoy Oxford Company Coffee and homemade shortbread, and there are dog treats for furry friends. Plan your day over a relaxing breakfast, comprising of pastries and croissants, smoked haddock and poached eggs, or a range of delicious local jams and freshly baked bread. Pick up one of the informative local walk leaflets and explore the village and local footpaths.

Restaurant & bar

Cooking is innovative modern British and imaginative daily menus brim with quality local and seasonal ingredients.

There's meat from nearby Vicars Game Farm Shop and produce is often brought in from local gardens and allotments. Don't miss their signature starter dish - twice-baked cheddar soufflé with smoked haddock chowder - or tuck into pork fillet, hispi cabbage, black pudding crumb, apple, grain mustard and tarragon sauce, or a classic lamb burger with gorgonzola cheese and hand-cut chips, leaving room for banana pudding with Bourbon toffee sauce, or a plate of artisan cheeses. Sunday's boast a stellar roast - pick from local Wotton Farm leg of lamb, Oxford Sandy Back rare breed pork loin or Longhorn beef sirloin.

After a long walk, feast on warming soup and sandwiches at the bar. With a focus on nearby micro-breweries, there's an eclectic range of local ales on offer - Butts, Ramsbury and West Berkshire. Many wines on the carefully selected wine list come from the Oxford Wine Company and other local suppliers, with 20 offered by the glass, as well as a few vintage ports to accompany dessert or the cheese board.

Private dining

A private dining room, The Wessex Room, with teal and grey décor and a large communal dining table, comfortably accommodates fourteen people for a relaxed party or meeting. The Barn, a calming room with stone floor slabs and timber cladding, opens out onto the garden and serves as a private function room, or an extension to the garden.

Things to do

Situated in a converted piggery on a working farm, Saddleback Farm Shop & Cafe is a thriving farm shop with a butchery selling farm-reared beef, wild venison and game, alongside a deli and an excellent tearoom, where you can tuck in fresh Aga-baked scones.

Built for the Queen of Bohemia in the 17th century and remotely situated in windswept downland country near Lambourn in Berkshire, the National Trust property of Ashdown House looks like an elegant dolls' house. With an intimate feel and striking staircase hung with fine 17th-century paintings, Ashdown is a great option for those seeking a little local culture.

About 2km along the Ridgeway from the Uffington White Horse, Wayland's Smithy is a brilliantly atmospheric Neolithic chambered tomb. Its name comes from the story that the Saxon smith god, Wayland, lived there and would shoe any horse left with a coin overnight. Constructed between 3,460 and 3,400 BC and with dramatic entrance stones, it's well worth a visit when exploring part of the 87-mile Ridgeway, which passes through ancient landscapes and has been used since prehistoric times by travellers, soldiers and herdsmen.