The Kingham Plough

The Kingham Plough sits on the village green in Kingham, one of Oxfordshire's most quietly coveted spots, and has been a destination pub in the truest sense for over a decade.

It first earned its reputation under chef Emily Watkins, who put it firmly on the destination-dining map; current head chef Jonny Pons carries that legacy forward with a daily-changing modern British menu that leans Mediterranean in technique while staying rooted in local sourcing. Paddock Farm Herefordshire beef, fish and shellfish from the Cornish coast, Salt Pig charcuterie, and Cacklebean eggs are the hero ingredients — everything else is made in-house, sourdough excepted.

The pub holds two AA rosettes and has featured in both the Michelin and Good Food Guides.

Six individually furnished bedrooms and a separate Little Barn cottage make it a natural base for a few nights in the north Cotswolds, with two of the rooms dog-friendly (a dog bed, water bowl, and towel for muddy paws are provided).

The bar runs all day from 8:30am, serving craft ales, local beers, and cocktails alongside a grazing menu, while the restaurant kitchen works à la carte at lunch and dinner.

The terrace catches the afternoon sun in good weather. It suits couples, walkers, and anyone who wants a proper pub meal without sacrificing kitchen quality — the cheeseburger and Ploughman's board hold their own alongside the more ambitious plates.