This quintessential Cotswold pub on the Oxfordshire borders is a delightful 15th-century stone building, gloriously unspoilt but with 21st century bling. The King's Head is the classic village pub that one always hopes to find but seldom does.

Set on a village green it's a community pub, but one with a difference, as many of the customers seem to live in Kensington and Chelsea and ski at Klosters.

Seven settles stand in the large L-shaped main bar, which is dominated by four real ale pumps, one of which is always the exquisite Hook Norton Best Bitter, one of England's truly great drinking experiences.

This is a pub that is on the up, the menu is glorious middle-England comfort food - lambs kidneys, Gloucester Old Spot sausages and steak and ale stew. There is a wonderful selection of English cheeses including a Double Worcester which is matured for a mouth watering 12 months.

The licensee, former guardsman Archie Orr-Ewing, uses many organic and locally produced ingredients including entirely grass fed Aberdeen Angus beef, from the family farm. But at lunchtime the home made soup and sandwiches will provide plenty of sustenance for the many well brought-up walkers using the passing Oxfordshire Way, all of whom take off their muddy boots and leave them in tidy lines in the hall.

You don't to have support fox-hunting to enjoy the pub, but it probably helps as it is a favourite haunt of many horse riders and the pub's excellent accommodation offers race goers willing to travel the 26 miles to Cheltenham during Gold Cup Week a fantastic base.

The Green,
Bleddington,
Gloucestershire,
OX7 6XQ
Tel: 01608 658365

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Regional Winners 2005

Overall Winners 2006
Regional Winners 2006