Cotswolds restaurants
Discussion
Looking for a restaurant in the Cotswolds for my 40th birthday. Hoping for somewhere decent, but it needs to be suitable for our kids (aged 4 and 6). We are staying in the North Cotswolds (Notgrove) and we are looking for somewhere within a 30 minute drive of that (ish).
Lords of the Manor hotel popped up but their main restaurant is fine dining (no good for kids), and I can't find any feedback on the other restaurant there.
Looking for somewhere between fine dining and pub food!
Lords of the Manor hotel popped up but their main restaurant is fine dining (no good for kids), and I can't find any feedback on the other restaurant there.
Looking for somewhere between fine dining and pub food!
XJ75 said:
Thanks - I'd looked in Cheltenham but somehow missed the Ivy. I've booked that. Thanks for the suggestions.
You could be almost anywhere and eat at an Ivy. It’s a nice dining room but it’s just mediocre chain restaurant food. Cotswolds does pubs better than restaurants and the Charlbury option is a good suggestion. The Fox, Oddington is great as is the Bull, Burford. DeuceDeuce said:
You could be almost anywhere and eat at an Ivy. It’s a nice dining room but it’s just mediocre chain restaurant food. Cotswolds does pubs better than restaurants and the Charlbury option is a good suggestion. The Fox, Oddington is great as is the Bull, Burford.
Yes not far from Notgrove is The Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power not sure what it’s like these days?DeuceDeuce said:
XJ75 said:
Thanks - I'd looked in Cheltenham but somehow missed the Ivy. I've booked that. Thanks for the suggestions.
You could be almost anywhere and eat at an Ivy. It’s a nice dining room but it’s just mediocre chain restaurant food. Cotswolds does pubs better than restaurants and the Charlbury option is a good suggestion. The Fox, Oddington is great as is the Bull, Burford. If it's not too late, cancel the Ivy. It's a national chain and it's mediocre at best. The one in Cheltenham is in a nice building (I think it's the old Lloyds Bank in Montpellier) but that's really it.
There's a small chain of pubs - the Bell at Langford is one and there are 4 others including one in Cheltenham itself. The food is very good, and the service and atmosphere are outstanding. Google it to find all the locations.
There's a massive difference between a national chain and a small local chain. I do frequent the Ivy in Cheltenham, as my Mother (who is 84) lives within walking distance and loves it. It's not somewhere I would choose to go if I had free reign.
There's a small chain of pubs - the Bell at Langford is one and there are 4 others including one in Cheltenham itself. The food is very good, and the service and atmosphere are outstanding. Google it to find all the locations.
There's a massive difference between a national chain and a small local chain. I do frequent the Ivy in Cheltenham, as my Mother (who is 84) lives within walking distance and loves it. It's not somewhere I would choose to go if I had free reign.
If you're north Cotswolds, can I suggest the Pudding Club in Mickleton.
It's not really fine dining, but it is a fun experience and, given the theme, the kids will probably love it.
...only question is whether the days work (Fridays only) and whether they've still got space.
Edit: Just seen where you are - Mickleton is quite a drive (~30 minutes). Cheltenham would be more convenient for sure.
...but I'd second the caution about the Ivy chain - ate at the Birmingham one and it was overpriced. Good...but not great - you're paying for the name not the food.
Edit 2: Wife's just told me Pudding Club is evening's only - won't work with young kids, sorry.
It's not really fine dining, but it is a fun experience and, given the theme, the kids will probably love it.
...only question is whether the days work (Fridays only) and whether they've still got space.
Edit: Just seen where you are - Mickleton is quite a drive (~30 minutes). Cheltenham would be more convenient for sure.
...but I'd second the caution about the Ivy chain - ate at the Birmingham one and it was overpriced. Good...but not great - you're paying for the name not the food.
Edit 2: Wife's just told me Pudding Club is evening's only - won't work with young kids, sorry.
Edited by havoc on Thursday 15th May 11:41
the Halfway at Kineton - amazing pub, definitely need to book as they only seat about 20-24 people.
https://www.thehalfwayatkineton.com/
The Halfway at Kineton, Kineton, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5UG
https://www.thehalfwayatkineton.com/
The Halfway at Kineton, Kineton, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5UG
Was a couple of years ago, but I had a good meal at the Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach.
They had kid appropriate food. Everything we ate was decent, it was all freshly cooked on site from good quality ingredients. The cod I ate was definitely off a day boat.
It’s more gastropub though.
I’d agree with the others, the Ivy, as a national chain has food out of a central kitchen, which means it’s had stuff added to it so it can survive national transportation. I wouldn’t want to eat there full stop, not even on a normal day out, let alone on a birthday.
Wheatsheaf Inn wasn’t quite Michelin star levels (ingredients were at that level, but the cooking was a touch inconsistent and rustic), but I wouldn’t have felt cheated going there for a birthday with family and friends.
They had kid appropriate food. Everything we ate was decent, it was all freshly cooked on site from good quality ingredients. The cod I ate was definitely off a day boat.
It’s more gastropub though.
I’d agree with the others, the Ivy, as a national chain has food out of a central kitchen, which means it’s had stuff added to it so it can survive national transportation. I wouldn’t want to eat there full stop, not even on a normal day out, let alone on a birthday.
Wheatsheaf Inn wasn’t quite Michelin star levels (ingredients were at that level, but the cooking was a touch inconsistent and rustic), but I wouldn’t have felt cheated going there for a birthday with family and friends.
Edited by wyson on Thursday 15th May 11:15
omniflow said:
If it's not too late, cancel the Ivy. It's a national chain and it's mediocre at best. The one in Cheltenham is in a nice building (I think it's the old Lloyds Bank in Montpellier) but that's really it.
There's a small chain of pubs - the Bell at Langford is one and there are 4 others including one in Cheltenham itself. The food is very good, and the service and atmosphere are outstanding. Google it to find all the locations.
There's a massive difference between a national chain and a small local chain. I do frequent the Ivy in Cheltenham, as my Mother (who is 84) lives within walking distance and loves it. It's not somewhere I would choose to go if I had free reign.
The Bell is excellent. Cheeseburger is phenomenal.There's a small chain of pubs - the Bell at Langford is one and there are 4 others including one in Cheltenham itself. The food is very good, and the service and atmosphere are outstanding. Google it to find all the locations.
There's a massive difference between a national chain and a small local chain. I do frequent the Ivy in Cheltenham, as my Mother (who is 84) lives within walking distance and loves it. It's not somewhere I would choose to go if I had free reign.
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