The Kingham Plough, Oxfordshire

Overview

A sought-after foodie destination run by Matt & Kate Beamish who are passionate that this rural pub remains the hub of the village, so expect local ales on tap, great food and a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

A stylish refurbishment of its communal spaces, with open fires and comfortable sofas by the wood-burner, provide the ideal surroundings in which to while away a lazy afternoon. With country antique furniture covered in stylish upholstery, quirky vintage finds sourced locally and displays of original photographs, sketches and prints by renowned 20th century artists (all for sale), the restaurant area has a more sophisticated feel.

For those seeking a little alfresco relaxation, sit back on the large paved terrace or in the lawned beer garden with plenty of picnic tables from which to enjoy the sunshine. The six upstairs bedrooms are comfortable and cosy - don't miss the excellent breakfast of delicious drop scones.

Rooms from

Doubles/twin: £145

Good to know

Amex not accepted, Visa / Mastercard / Maestro all accepted
Disabled access
Private and alfresco dining
Parking available
Dog stay: £10

Quiet romance
Expect glowing fires and candles in the bar/dining areas and cosy, comfortable rooms ooze detail touches.

Dog-friendly
Canine chums are welcome in the bar areas and dog-friendly annexe rooms (5 & 6) where they will find bowls and doggy treats.

No car needed
Eco-friendly guests can take the short bus ride from Kingham station, which stops right in front of the inn.

A touch of culture
Explore majestic Blenheim Palace and its stunning gardens and grounds.

Rooms

There's a choice of six smartly refurbished rooms, with four rooms above the pub, and two in the annexe with independent access.

Whichever one you plump for; all are luxuriously finished with Egyptian cotton on five super-king and one king-size bed. Twin beds are available in two of the bedrooms. All rooms are sympathetically decorated to suit the rural setting with floral feature wallpaper and antique furnishings, and all the creature comforts to make you feel at home, from mohair throws and glossy magazines to mini-fridges with half bottles of Champagne and towelling robes to Tea Pig teas, homemade cookies and Lavazza coffee machines. Retro white bathrooms feature rain showers and roll top baths and locally made Bramley bath products.

Wake up to a great breakfast, whether it's freshly made drop scones, porridge with local honey or the full English with Arlington White eggs, Kelmscott bacon and Paddock Farm pork sausages.

Restaurant & bar

Head chef Jonny Pons continues the pub's legacy of championing local artisan produce and local sourcing of the very best fresh, local, seasonal ingredients for both the all-day bar menu and à la carte menu.

Expect flavourful modern British dishes with Mediterranean influences alongside pub classics on the frequently changing restaurant and bar snacks menus - courgette and pea soup; slow-cooked pork belly, creamy mash, apple relish and truffle jus. Meat is cooked over wood fires. Vegetarian dishes, gluten-free and vegan options are always available.

Cotswold lager is a best-seller behind the bar, as well as locally brewed Hooky ale and Butcombe bitter from Somerset. Aspall cider is also on offer, alongside a carefully curated wine list with a selection of 16 wines by the glass and 61 by the bottle. The pub's commitment to local sourcing and using seasonal ingredients extends to homemade sloe gin and elderflower cordial using foraged ingredients.

The Kingham Plough is still very much a village pub that feeds locals as well as gastro-tourists.

Things to do

A short drive away, don't miss the incredible Blenheim Palace. One of Britain's largest and most famous stately homes, it offers a host of treasures to discover. There are guided tours of the staterooms and a chance to explore the estate's sumptuous parkland. A new Winston Churchill Memorial Garden and Footsteps Trail opened in 2015, taking visitors on a journey through the key achievements in the great statesman's extraordinary life.

Those at the Kingham Plough over the August Bank Holiday weekend shouldn't miss the Big Feastival, an annual extravaganza on the farm owned by local pop star turned farmer/cheesemaker Alex James of Blur. The weekend event is a festival of food and music, with famous chefs demonstrating their cooking skills while you listen to live music from some of the best musicians in the country.

Theatre, arthouse cinema, gallery and concert hall: the Chipping Norton Theatre describes itself as 'complicated and a little eccentric', and it's always worth a look to see what's on. A mixed arts venue hosting, co-producing and supporting some of the most exciting, accessible and entertaining culture in the region, there are also community and education programmes with workshops, classes and creative projects.