Top 5 Country Pubs in the Cotswolds – Charming Village Inns

Exploring the rolling hills and honey-hued villages of the English Cotswolds isn’t complete without sinking into a cosy country pub. The region’s Cotswolds pubs blend timeless charm with hearty fare, roaring fires and local ales, all set against postcard-worthy rural scenery. Below are five of the most enchanting village pubs in the Cotswolds. Each has its own character – from ancient inglenooks to modern menus – but all serve excellent food and drink in a setting that feels straight out of a storybook countryside. Whether you’re after a pint by the fire or Sunday roast with views of the village green, these pubs deliver the quintessential Cotswold experience.

1. The Wild Rabbit – Kingham

The Wild Rabbit perches on a hill overlooking the pretty village of Kingham, Oxfordshire. Its stone walls and terrace take in sweeping views of farmland, making it an idyllic spot for a pint or lunch. Inside, the pub feels both stylish and snug: a large, double-sided open fireplace anchors the bar, while exposed beams and soft lighting add warmth. This Daylesford Estate pub is “packed with charm from its bright restaurant to the cosy bar and lovely terrace”, in the words of the MICHELIN Guide. The menu changes with the seasons, focusing on organic local produce – think modern British dishes like fresh game in autumn or Daylesford farmstead classics – all overseen by a talented kitchen team.

On tap you’ll find real ales from nearby brewers (for example Hook Norton’s classic Bitter and guest ales) and local Cotswolds ciders, alongside a thoughtful wine list and craft cocktails. The emphasis on quality ingredients and well-kept beer makes it a hit with both foodies and walkers. In summer you can enjoy a meal on the sunny terrace; in winter the fire is roaring. With friendly, knowledgeable staff and a gently lively vibe, The Wild Rabbit feels like a modern take on an old-fashioned country pub – exactly the kind of Cotswolds village pub fans adore.

2. The Bell Inn – Langford

In the tiny Oxfordshire village of Langford (just a few miles from Burford), The Bell Inn epitomises cottagecore charm. The low stone building is festooned with ivy in summer, and inside you’ll find solid flagstone floors, thick oak beams and a massive inglenook fireplace. Indeed, inspectors note it has “stone floors and an impressive inglenook fireplace” – the very image of a traditional Cotswold inn. (One reviewer even quipped it is “every inch the quintessential Cotswolds pub”.) This family-run pub – part of the same group behind Kingham’s Wild Rabbit – serves a menu of polished pub fare and hearty specials made from local ingredients. Think lamb or venison, fresh garden vegetables and rich pies, plus a few creative dishes reflecting the chef’s touch. The kitchen smoothly balances comfort and finesse: pub classics sit alongside one-off refined plates, all made with seasonal produce.

Drinks include well-kept cask ales and a rotating guest beer, plus a concise wine and spirits selection. The overall feel is welcomingly rustic: expect a friendly landlord behind the bar, soft lighting, and locals chatting over pints of ale. On nice days you can sit outside in the small beer garden with views of the village lane, soaking up the countryside air. Guests often linger late into the afternoon or on Sunday afternoons, enjoying the crackling fire and the view of the river just beyond the garden. In short, The Bell Inn is a picture-perfect village pub – cosy and cheerful – that delivers exactly what its name promises.

3. King’s Head Inn – Bledington

The King’s Head Inn sits on the green at the heart of Bledington, a sleepy stone village in the Cotswolds. Its honey-coloured Cotswold-stone exterior and smoke-gray slate roof make it look like a painting; inside is equally stunning. The low ceilings are laced with original oak beams, and the flagstone floor is warmed by a real fire crackling in a large fireplace. Heavy wooden settles line the walls, giving a true old-England feel. This pub is a long-time local favourite and has won several national awards – in fact, one guide calls it “the quintessential Cotswolds pub perfectly situated on the village green”.

Food at the King’s Head is serious and seasonal. Menus change often but centre on British classics: roasted meats, game pies, fresh fish or a well-judged vegetarian plate. A highlight is the generous Sunday roast – diners rave about the tender beef or lamb, crisp roast potatoes and rich gravy. There’s also a well-curated wine list, and the beer selection is strong (often a local brew or two alongside standard bitters). Service is professional and welcoming – the staff really know the menu and ales, and the pub has a community feel even when busy. With its blend of historic charm and unfussy quality, the King’s Head gives visitors a genuine taste of country-inn hospitality. It’s the sort of place where you might spend hours over a meal by candlelight, feeling as if you stepped back in time to old England.

4. Castle Inn – Castle Combe

Venture to Castle Combe (technically just outside the Cotswolds proper) and you’ll find one of England’s most idyllic villages – and at its centre, the Castle Inn. This 12th-century coaching inn of honeyed stone looks and feels like a movie set. Inside, low ceilings and a tangle of timber beams create cosy nooks; stained glass and antiques decorate the rooms. The atmosphere is old-world but warm – a big fire always burns in winter, and in summer the garden at the front spills out onto the market square. As one writer notes, “The Castle Inn stands proud in the old market square” and its “rustic interior is straight out of the 12th century”.

What really sets the Castle Inn apart is the food. It holds 2 AA Rosettes (a mark of outstanding cooking), and rightly so. The menu takes classic pub dishes and lifts them to restaurant quality. Expect top-quality steaks, game and locally caught fish, all accompanied by seasonal veg and home-made sauces. The Sunday carvery is legendary – crowds form early for servings of prime roast beef or lamb with Yorkshire puds and trimmings. Locally brewed ales and ciders are available on tap, and the wine list covers all bases. Of course, the real joy is the setting: dining by candlelight in beamed oak parlours, or sipping a pint on the terrace watching village life. In the words of a travel guide, visiting here feels like “stepping back in time”. No two pubs offer quite this mix of fairy-tale looks and first-class food, making the Castle Inn a truly memorable Cotswold stop.

5. The Black Horse – Cranham

Cranham’s Black Horse Inn is a somewhat hidden gem in the northern Cotswolds, but it embodies all a village pub should be. Recently reborn by local owners, this 19th-century stone inn has a renewed yet traditional interior: expect polished wood tables, a glowing open fire and friendly chatter. Food here is hearty and homey – the menu features seasonal British classics like pies, stews, house-made sausages and fish dishes, plus tempting burgers and a veggie tart. A local reviewer raves about its “top-notch food, locally-brewed ales… and a warm, welcoming… charm”. In practice you’ll find locals and walkers alike filling the place; the Black Horse is a popular stop for those hiking the nearby Cotswold Way, and it even hosts community events and live music from time to time.

On the taps are often real ales from Gloucestershire breweries and crisp local ciders, and the bar staff pour with a smile. The beer garden out back is charming in summer, with picnic tables under trees and a view across fields to the Malvern Hills. Inside, families and couples cluster in booths around the fire. On Sundays the roast, carved at the table, is a big draw. In short, the Black Horse feels like the heart of the countryside – a friendly pub where you can relax for hours, eating well and enjoying the simple pleasures of good beer and warm company. It’s less famous than some of the others on this list, but exactly for that reason a visit feels wonderfully authentic.

Each of these five pubs captures the essence of Cotswold village life: historic charm, home-cooked quality and genuine hospitality. From the Wild Rabbit’s chic countryside flair to the King’s Head’s classic pub feel, there’s something for everyone – always with the backdrop of rolling hills and stone villages. So pull up a chair, order a pint of local ale and settle in by the fire: a warm welcome and a taste of rural England await.