The Bull, Charlbury: Inside The Cotswolds’ Best Gastropub
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51 mins ago
It's hard not to fall for the charms of this cosy pub-with-rooms
From the outside, The Bull in Charlbury looks like your average country inn, with its quintessential honey stone, ivy-clad facade. But as soon as you step indoors, it becomes quickly apparent that you’ve arrived somewhere special: this pub is all roaring fires, flickering candles, wooden-beamed ceilings and plush leather armchairs. It’s the epitome of Cotswolds cosiness – but that’s not all there is to be excited about. The Bull is also one of the UK’s best gastropubs, coming in at number 11 on Estrella Damm’s 2025 list. C&TH’s Ellie Smith checked in for the ultimate January treat.
Review: The Bull, Charlbury
STAY
The Bull is found in the chocolate box town of Charlbury, on the edge of the Cotswolds. Helpfully, the picture-perfect village benefits from its own train station, which goes direct to London Paddington in just over an hour; if you’re driving, it’s around two hours.
We arrived on a chilly winter’s night, and the town initially appeared quiet and sleepy. But we soon discovered everyone was simply at The Bull, settling into their Friday night drinks. The pub has stood on the corner of Sheep Street since the early 1500s, but it reopened in 2023 following a big refurb helmed by Charlbury-born Phil Winser and James Gummer, the hospitality duo behind Notting Hill hotspot The Pelican. It was an instant hit with the locals, and quickly began drawing in visitors from further afield. A year and a half on, and The Bull has firmly established itself as one of the Cotswolds’ most revered foodie destinations.
The 16th century inn has been lovingly restored, keeping original features like wood pannelling, stone floors and exposed beams, but adding some glossy modern touches, like mahogany leather booths. Low-ceilinged and lit almost exclusively by candlelight, it’s romantic and intimate, the ideal spot for an overnight couples’ getaway.
Upstairs, there are 10 bedrooms, featuring similarly minimalist, pared-back interiors, with neutral tones and bathrooms stocked with Wildsmith products. If quietness is a priority, opt for one of the top floor rooms (we stayed in room 3 on the first floor, where you could hear a subtle hum of revelry below) – room 6 is particularly special, complete with a canopy bed and a separate alcoved room with a rolltop bath. There’s also Loaf Cottage, which is located just a couple of doors down from the pub and can accommodate up to four guests, well-suited to families.
EAT
The Bull has garnered rave reviews for its culinary offering, and it certainly lives up to the hype. Chef Ronnie Bonetti heads up the kitchen, focusing on open fire cooking using local and seasonal ingredients – it’s all about traditional British dishes cooked brilliantly.
Everything we tried was delicious, kicking off with a generous helping of the moreish house soda bread, served with seaweed butter. For the main event, the pie of the day is a must. Ours was chicken and bacon, and it was true pie perfection: golden, buttery pastry stuffed with a salty, meaty filling. There’s plenty for fish lovers too, including a set of specials on Saturdays like hand dived scallops, John Dory, and gurnard with sorrel. Word of warning: it’s not the best spot for veggies, although the hispi cabbage side dish was very tasty. Be sure to order some of the rosemary roasties too, cooked to perfection. And if you’ve got space, finish with The Bull’s take on the classic Mr Whippy, served in a pint glass.
That leads us nicely onto the drinks, which are equally impressive, with an array of local beers and Guinness on offer alongside cocktails, mocktails and a carefully curated wine list. After a post-dinner nightcap by the fire, we were thankful all we needed to do was climb the spiral staircase and flop into an extra-comfy bed. Come morning time, stroll downstairs for a leisurely breakfast: you can either build your own full English, or keep it simple with crumpets and marmite, eggy bread or overnight oats.
DO
While the food is the main draw of The Bull, there’s plenty to explore nearby. The team can recommend walks from the doorstep (complete with a picnic if you fancy), or organise countryside activities such as clay pigeon shooting. You’re also just down the road from Daylesford, as well as Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm in Chipping Norton – a must for fans of Clarkson’s Farm. A little further afield, there’s Blenheim Palace, plus the idyllic villages of Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water.
THE FINAL WORD
The Cotswolds is brimming with upmarket pubs-with-rooms, but Charlbury’s The Bull sets itself apart by going above and beyond on its food offering. It was the perfect spot for a winter weekend getaway, but would likely offer delights of its own come summertime, when a BBQ sizzles up dishes on the large terrace. With welcoming staff, a buzzy ambience and those unforgettable pies, The Bull feels like a real celebration of the simple beauty of the great British pub.
