Alternatives to The Farmers Dog?

[geeman237]

3 of us are travelling from the South Coast to Birmingham in November for the NEC Classic Car Show. Thought we'd stop in Clarkson's Farmers Dog for lunch. Booked up solid and not sure we want to chance the tent option unless the queues have eased off.

Anyone have any recommendations for alternative pubs for lunch in the area?

[chrisch77]

Depends what sort of ambience you are looking for, but Kingsley Cafe on the A40 at Eynsham is worth a look - they have a large ‘tent’ outside and do really nice pizzas etc. it’s next door Kingsley who do the Range Rover resto mods.

[Prisoner 24601]

Does it need to be car related? or just somewhere nice to stop half way?

How about The Bull in Great Milton?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Bull/@51.720...

[random_username]

Not a pub, but the Classic Motor Hub at Bibury is worth a stop if you are in the area:

https://classicmotorhub.com

[super7]

If your coming up from the south you'll more than likely be going through Chipping Norton, so just deviate off the A361 for a mile or so to the Hook Norton Brewery.... similar thing to the Farmers Dog with lots of local beers.

Pop up to THJ to lear at some cars through the windows before continuing up to Brum.

[Gareth1974]

Although it's a proper tourist trap village now (perhaps not too bad in November?), somewhere in or near to Bourton on the Water might be good in combination with the car museum there.

https://www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk/

[RESSE]

The Kingham Plough @ Chipping Norton was good for lunch, albeit two years ago:

[omniflow]

The nearest nice pub for food is the Swan at Swinbrook. It's only about 1/2 mile off the A40.

My parents were big fans of the Inn for All Seasons, but I've never been.

Dunkertons on the A40 near Dowdswell Reservoir (just before Cheltenham) is actually alot better than it looks.

[Red9zero]

The Inn for all seasons is very good. Probably a bit out of the way, but there is a very nice drive thru / cafe at this farm shop - https://jollynicefarmshop.com/

Alternatively there is the cafe that appears in Henry Cole's tv shows. Quite small, but very nice food - https://www.blakeskitchen.com/

[remedy]

There is a little village to the west of Chipping Norton called Guiting Power.
Between Guiting and Temple Guiting and near Kineton is the Halfway House. Seems to be called Zonda at the Halfway now but it is incredible.
Very remote, very traditional. Sunday lunch is fantastic.

[595Heaven]

super7 said:

If your coming up from the south you'll more than likely be going through Chipping Norton, so just deviate off the A361 for a mile or so to the Hook Norton Brewery.... similar thing to the Farmers Dog with lots of local beers.

Pop up to THJ to lear at some cars through the windows before continuing up to Brum.

Hook Norton Brewery is a great shout. Try the pies!

[juice]

We went today for lunch (booked last month when the slots opened up)

It was amazingly busy for a tuesday (maybe I shouldn't be surprised)



Food was really nice though, more like proper home-cooked food than a gastropub. I would deffo go back in a couple of years when hopefully the hype has died down

This was amazing (Beetroot carpaccio)



Bill for 4 (starters, mains and 2 x puds with drinks)



This made me laugh

[Regbuser]

Three horseshoes at Asthall, very nice

[DJC76]

The Bull at Charlbury does fantastic food. Park either in the main village car park or the station car park

[MadCaptainJack]

I haven't been in a while but the Wheatsheaf in Northleach would be my first choice for lunch in the Cotswolds.

[Glassman]

RESSE said:

The Kingham Plough @ Chipping Norton was good for lunch, albeit two years ago:

Did Clarkson consider buying this before they went for the FD? If not there was something very similar looking.

[CSR Performance]

Mollies Diner just outside of Oxford?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2vYwxCHS8L2vdHBA7

[RichFN2]

Mollies Diner is a good option for that American roadside diner theme, the food is also fairly decent.

Firehouse Oxford on the A40 is a great BBQ restaurant.
https://firehouseoxford.com/

[theplayingmantis]

omniflow said:

The nearest nice pub for food is the Swan at Swinbrook. It's only about 1/2 mile off the A40.

My parents were big fans of the Inn for All Seasons, but I've never been.

Dunkertons on the A40 near Dowdswell Reservoir (just before Cheltenham) is actually alot better than it looks.

Nope the 3 horseshoes nearer. Unless lady b finally flogged it since the scum descended due to the FD

• I'm one of those scum

[theplayingmantis]

Oh and op. It's the Cotswolds FFS! probably bar London the most easy place density wise to get decent nosh at a certain type of establishment as per this thread endless listing of cotswolds decent 'gastropubs' that a 10 second Google will turn up with Ai, or even old skool Google search. Need to be more specific of where and what you want unless 5000 random responses ranging from the bull at Charl to some greasy spoon cafe.

Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 15th October 09:49