King of the Castle in the Cotswolds

Exciting news! We're thrilled to share that The Killingworth Castle has been featured in the September issue of The Scotsman Magazine! This amazing recognition highlights our commitment to great food, warm hospitality, and creating unforgettable experiences for everyone who visits.

A big thank you to all of our loyal customers and our incredible team who make it all happen! 🙌 Check out the article for a closer look at what makes The Killingworth Castle so special, and don't forget to grab your copy of The Scotsman Magazine this month! 🗞️

We made it into 'The Good Food Guide 2024' and retained our third rosette!

We are thrilled to announce that The Killingworth Castle has been included in The Good Food Guide 2024, confirming us as one of the best pub dining spots in Britain! We have also proudly maintained our third AA Rosette for the second consecutive year.

The AA inspector stated…

“Dinner was a real highlight. Diners had the option of the Tasting Menu and a la Carte menu, both showcasing high quality, seasonal ingredients, and carefully considered combinations. Dishes demonstrated keen skills, technique, with clear, balanced flavours across all courses - the three AA Rosette Award confidently recommended here. Excellent hosting presence in place at dinner and breakfast, which really enhanced the dining experience.”

So why not come find your new favourite dish from our 3-AA Rosette Michelin-recommended pub kitchen…choose A la carte or our tasting menus …. the perfect antidote to lift those summer spirits!

We hope to see you soon!

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Wootton Named One of the Top Villages in the UK

Great news! Our village of Wootton near Blenheim Palace is among the Top 30 UK villages according to the Telegraph! We’re delighted to be recommended as the place to eat & stay and for our village to be one of the best in the country.

BIG NEWS - TOP 50 IN THE UK

Just found out we’re in the new UK Top 50 Gastropub list. This is huge, these awards are compiled by the best chefs and critics in the industry.

Back in 2012, we won ‘Best Newcomer’ in the same awards so it feels very special to now find ourselves among the best in the country. Thanks to our team and lovely regulars!

With our third AA Rosette awarded in September, now is the perfect time to join us for a romantic foodie getaway.

Dine on delicious menus, enjoy blissfully comfy bedrooms and experience the Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace in all their winter glory.

The Killingworth Castle awarded three AA Rosettes

We are thrilled to announce that The Killingworth Castle has been awarded with 3 AA Rosettes, a prestigious recognition of culinary excellence!!

Oxford inn and gastropub awarded three AA Rosettes

The AA Rosette Award recognises the crème de la crème of UK culinary establishments

(London) 25 September 2023:

Last night, The Killingworth Castle, the historic pub with rooms in Wootton near Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, was awarded three AA Rosettes at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards.

One of the industry’s most highly anticipated events, the glittering awards ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London was hosted by much-loved TV presenter Claudia Winkleman, celebrating the UK’s top hotels, restaurants, and pubs and the people behind them.

Nestled within the picturesque village of Wootton, Oxfordshire, The Killingworth Castle has eight luxury en-suite rooms with exquisite food that focuses on seasonal, wild & organic fare from the Cotswolds. Establishments with three AA Rosettes are all outstanding restaurants achieving standards which demand national recognition well beyond their local area and The Killingworth Castle is one of only 7 new inns with rooms in the whole of the UK to be awarded a third rosette in 2023 at the AA’s annual Hospitality Awards last night.

The AA, which has long been a marker of leading restaurant and accommodation venues, celebrates the crème de la crème of UK hospitality. Following a visit from an anonymous inspector, the hotel was reviewed against nine quality assessment areas, ranging from standards of service to cleanliness and quality of food. The inspector described the establishment as ‘well run in a personalised way with very good hospitality from a customer-focused team which made for a welcoming atmosphere throughout the stay’.

The Killingworth Castle’s owner, Jim Alexander, commented:

“We’re extremely proud to have been awarded three Rosettes by the AA. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to producing exceptional food and unparalleled guest experiences each day.

“Our talented team consistently go above and beyond to ensure that hotel residents and local diners alike enjoy a memorable visit.”

Claire Alexander, The Killingworth Castle’s co-owner added; “After a few challenging years, it’s particularly rewarding to get the recognition of being in the top few per cent of food providers in the country. It’s a huge motivator for us as an independent, family run business in an ever-increasing environment of pubcos and chains and we’re over the moon.”

Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media said:

“Every year we present awards to the very best AA-rated hotels, restaurants, spas and their teams across the UK. The AA Rosette award, first awarded in 1956, was the first nationwide scheme for assessing the quality of food served by restaurants and hotels. AA Rosettes recognise culinary excellence and dedication to ensure consistent quality of the highest order. For further information about the AA Hospitality Awards 2023, please visit: https://aahospitalityawards.com

Join us this Thursday for Supper Club!!

Join us every Thursday between 6-7pm for Supper Club! Enjoy 2 ‘chef-selected’ a la carte dishes plus a bottle of house red or white wine for £35 per person.

Book your table online

Calling all rum lovers!

With a history of revelry spawning 386 years at The Killingworth Castle, the pub is dipping its toes into a section of its history that was rife with debauched highwaymen, piracy and….rum!

As one of the fastest growing spirits in the World, rum and some specially created food pairings will be the star of the show at The Killingworth Castle’s special ‘Spirited Tasting’ evening on Friday 26th May.

DATE: Friday 26th May, 2023 (From 7.30pm)

WHERE: The Killingworth Castle, Wootton near Woodstock, OX20 1EJ

TICKETS: £55 per person – 4 specially paired food tastings, 4 rums and two cocktails!

BOOK: 01993 811 401 or email reservations@thekillingworthcastle.com

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Booking essential.

7-Course Tasting Menu Reviewed By Ox in a Box

If you’ve been thinking about trying our hugely popular Tasting Menu, make sure you read the latest review from Ox in a Box.

“What Killy doesn’t do is pub grub. No fish and chips, burgers and ploughman’s here. It’s serious food from a chef whose pedigree includes the Michelin-starred likes of Gordon Ramsey’s, Royal Hospital Road, Mallory Court in Warwick and Le Champignon Sauvage. The attention to detail, the love and dedication attributed to each component, was humbling. ”

Read full review

We have been blown away by the recent feedback for our menus. If you would like to treat your tastebuds this summer to a foodie getaway in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, book online now.

To sample our tasting menu, click here

The Killingworth Castle featured in the Daily Mail

Super happy to be featured as one of the ‘Great British boltholes’ in the Daily Mail this week.

“…more alluring than ever with 8 plush rooms and food that is a big step above pub grub”.

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves! So if you want somewhere to eat, if you're visiting nearby Blenheim Palace, or just fancy a night away in a lovely country pub this summer, then check out our menus and rooms.

Thank you to Tom Chesshyre who came to review. Read the full feature below.

Killy named 'one of the best foodie pubs in the country' by the Telegraph

We are super chuffed with the latest Telegraph reviewer who said our pub is “the best place for those in the know to base yourself for a perfectly balanced holiday’. And hailed us ‘one of the best foodie pubs in the country’ offering great value!

Read the full Telegraph review below

If you were to bottle the quintessence of Britain and sprinkle it from a helicopter, what would grow in the fertile land below is the Cotswolds. This is a verdant hillscape and sleepy villages and thatched honey-stone cottages, with country houses, Roman ruins, and old coaching inns showcasing the country at its very best. But the secret is very much out, and today the Cotswolds attracts millions of international tourists, particularly (in pre-pandemic times) from China and the Far East.

But if you head to the fringes you can find sleepy splendour, a cobblestone’s throw from the action.

On a recent bank-holiday weekend I landed upon the Goldilocks Zone of Wootton-by-Woodstock, a village on the cusp of the Cotswold Area of National Beauty. The village, which featured in the Domesday Book, has a population of just shy of 600 and local life centres around the community shop full of organic delights, an attractive Gothic parish church and a pub with a potted history. A perfect jumping-off point for visitors in the know.

Built in 1637, Killingworth Castle was once a popular pit-stop for travellers on the old Worcester to London Roman road. Later, it was the haunt of local lad Winston Churchill, who used to test his cars on drives to the pub from Blenheim Palace with his friend (and founder of Morris Motors) William Morris. Today, the coaching inn is one of the most decorated foodie pubs in the country, having accrued two AA Rosettes and a Michelin recommendation in its 10 years under new ownership, and these days the pub owners even brew their own beers under the label Yubberton.

In the stable block next to the pub you will find stylish ensuite accommodation, with handmade wooden beds and roll-top baths.

Charging Points at The Killingworth Castle

Have a Cotswold staycation knowing you can keep your fuel costs down by using our electric charge points every day.

While your vehicle is charging you can refuel yourself with a hearty breakfast, light lunch or evening meal, 5 days a week. See details and menus. Or why not take advantage of a good night’s sleep with an overnight stay. You can book online here.

We've made it into the Top 50 Pubs in the Cotswolds 2022 list

We are thrilled to announce that we’ve made it into the top 50 pubs in the Cotswolds for 2022.

The pub is no stranger to top accolades over the past 18 months after receiving 3 OSH stars from The Soil Association, 2-AA Rosettes and a 2021 Travellers Choice Award after consistently receiving positive traveller reviews on Tripadvisor - an amazing accomplishment that puts us in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.

It’s great to be acknowledged for the hospitality we offer, as well as our food, and for our pub’s lovely B&B rooms.

Let's Get our Festive Shizzle on...!

CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS - Festive menu

Best for Sunday Roast

Really rather delighted to be included in 1 newspaper’s TOP 40 UK pubs for Sunday roasts.

Killy named 2nd best gastropub in Oxfordshire!

We are thrilled to announce The Killingworth Castle has been named the 2nd best Gastropub in Oxfordshire and 38th in the whole of the UK by Big7Travel.

We join only a handful of foodie pubs in the country to receive this accolade after such a difficult few years for the industry.

Amongst the many accolades picked up over the last year, The ‘Killy’ has also retained two AA rosettes and is Michelin recommended. The pub has also been awarded 3 OSH stars from The Soil Association, meaning 50-75% of our menus are made with organic produce. A real testament to the consistently high quality of locally sourced food created by Adam and the team.

Hope to see you soon!

Find out more

We've won a 2021 Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award

News SO hot off the press that we haven't even received the certificate yet but we are extremely happy to share that we have been awarded a 2021 Travellers Choice Award after consistently receiving positive traveller reviews on Tripadvisor - an amazing accomplishment that puts us in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.

More about the Travellers’ Choice Award from Trip Advisor

“The Travellers’ Choice Award celebrates hotels that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travellers around the globe. Winners like you earned positive traveller reviews and ratings over the past year.

In this particularly challenging year, you stood out by providing great service and experiences to your guests. Thank you, and congratulations again on your well-deserved win.”

Trip Advisor

It really is lovely to have our hard work appreciated by our fantastic customers for our excellent customer service and delicious food. Thank you!

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A Stay in the Countryside by Kelly Prince Wright

Driving through the rolling hills of Woodstock, I felt a stirring of that déjà vu feeling in my bones. I love returning to spots that I’ve had wonderful experiences at. 

Over sixteen (!!) months ago, we popped into The Killingworth Castle for lunch. It was a time just before the world stopped turning, when pubs were still busy and we were only beginning to hear the rumblings of the world on the precipice of change.

The Oxfordshire pub is just a 10 minute drive from Blenheim Palace (which we popped to prior to our visit) in the idyllic village of Woodstock. Pulling up to The Killingworth Castle felt like a symbolic return to a life we’ve missed so incredibly much.

Owned by Claire and Jim Alexander, the venue has undergone some changes over the past year as well. The gorgeous pub has expanded, converting the old barn attached into additional seating. It’s beautiful. It’s probably at this point I should mention this is a rave review and I will continue to rave about my experience from here on out. With The Killingworth, it’s easy to.

Visiting the pub a year ago, I was immediately struck by the visuals around each and every corner. From the outside, the pub is built of that beautiful light Cotswolds stone (I have a thing for stone colours and textures and yes, I find it varies from place to place around the United Kingdom). New details include additional outdoor seating which is perfect for pub garden days – and we were so incredibly lucky to get a pocket of beautiful weather to enjoy it.

Stay at The Killingworth Castle

There are eight luxury rooms at The Killingworth Castle which you’ll find in the adjoining stable block right across from the pub. We stayed in the King Luxury Ensuite which of course sold me immediately with the gorgeous roll-top tub.

The rooms are a mixture of countryside rustic meets modern luxury. You’ll find wood furnishings, comfortable cushions and a gorgeously modern tiled bathroom.

The bed is also impossibly soft and cosy where you just want to snuggle into the sheets forever. We may have spent our night in bed watching Celebrity Googlebox with cups of tea. Like I said, a mix of country style meets my poor reality TV choices.

A personal bonus point is absolutely the fact that there is a French Press in the room for making your own coffee. One of my great pet peeves of travelling is the fact that I need coffee almost immediately upon waking up and I’m always a bit disappointed when rooms don’t find a way to nail this for me. So thank you to The Killingworth Castle for understanding my Lorelai Gilmore levels of coffee tendencies.

Drinks at the pub

Upon our arrival to The Killingworth Castle, once room photos had been taken we immediately beelined to sitting outside on the picnic tables at the front of the pub. You’ll find additional garden seating as well around the corner that is slightly more secluded too. Actually, there are quite a lot of great outdoor seating options at the pub. It’s surprisingly larger than you’d think! 

I stuck to a classic large Pinot Grigio (I know, I am who I am) and Joe went for an organic beer from Stroud Brewery. While we took advantage of the pocket of sunshine that had descended through Oxfordshire – clearly a sign for us to spend plenty of time outdoors with drinks – we also tested out our drone! I was pretty grateful to the pub for letting me play around with our incredibly limited drone skills, but I think they turned out pretty cool. You can view more over on my Instagram for now, but stay tuned for a Youtube video to come.

Inside the pub there is also a gorgeous bar area for drinks too – be sure to give it a visit. I’m already planning to head back here in the autumn to sit around with a glass of wine and to enjoy the cosy fireplaces.

Dining at The Killingworth

As I described on my Instagram stories, Head Chef Adam Brown is a culinary wizard. His menu is absolutely genius, the pairings so perfectly crafted. Dining at The Killingworth Castle is a true delight for your tastebuds.

From breakfast, Sunday lunch and dinner, there’s literally something amazing for all hours of the day. If you’d like to read about our lunchtime experience a year ago, you can visit my previous post. Today I’m talking dinner and breakfast. Let’s start with our evening.

Adam Brown was previously the head chef at their former sister pub, The Ebrington Arms, which was awarded the UK’s number one pub for food in The Telegraph. Adam hails from a Michelin background including Gordon Ramsay & Le Champignon Sauvage. Unsurprisingly, if you’re at The Killingworth Castle for food, you’re in for an absolute treat.

The menu is seasonal and changes with what is locally in season and incredibly fresh. For foodies please note that it’s a 2 AA Rosette & Michelin recommended seasonal menu. They’ve also joined a handful of other UK pubs and restaurants in achieving 3 stars or more in the ‘Organic Served Here’ awards by The Soil Association. It shows a commitment to at least  50% organic produce on the menus. 

Basically it feels like a London style experience, you could be in Mayfair dining but you’re actually in the countryside experiencing such excellence at incredibly affordable prices. I also had someone message me on Instagram saying that this was like a fantasy novel kind of menu, the way each dish is written and displayed. I actually feel like the food probably deserves an entirely separate blog post, but we’re in the thick of it now. Here’s what we tried…

Starters

For starters Joe had the Tartar of Cornish Monkfish, cucumber, radish, parsley emulsion, keta caviar and I had the Pea Custard, peas, broad beans, asparagus, hazelnuts. Both were fantastic dishes and the fish was incredible. But I’m going to rave about the Pea Custard. I had no idea what to expect from this dish. It may have been one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tried. I wish I could reach through the screen and give you all a plate. Please, PLEASE order this when you go. Who knew pea custard could be downright exciting?

Mains

For our mains Joe had the Peking Duck Breast, turnip, apricot, shoots and grains with malted barley sauce. And I had the Sirloin Shorthorn Beef & Shin, sweetheart cabbage, black garlie, with morel sauce. I can’t comment on the duck as I realised post-meal that I didn’t even try it. Joe confirms its excellence. I can however, attest to the beef. Each dish is so thoughtfully presented and plated for serving. It’s obvious how much passion goes into the creation of this menu and these dishes.

I can’t possibly find a flaw because there aren’t any. I’m confident that you could order anything from the menu and it would be delicious. Our sides at dinner included the beef dripping chips, buttered spring greens and Jersey royal potatoes.

And lastly we had to have desserts because with a dinner so incredible, dessert would undoubtedly be as well. Of course, it was.

Dessert

Joe tried the 54% Dark Chocolate Delice, salted caramel cream and I had the Iced Elderflower & pine nuts, mousse with English strawberries. Both were wonderful… but I preferred my Iced Elderflower. Only because I like something a bit more fruity for dessert.

We were lucky to chat with Adam after the meal where we essentially just raved to him about how great the food was and how talented he is. It was quite cool to hear about the ins and outs of the kitchen and working on planning the menu based around local produce.

This is not a pub to pop into for a burger or fish and chips. There’s definitely a time and place for those dishes but at The Killingworth Castle… you need to experience this menu. You’re getting an entirely luxury meal within the comfort of a cosy, beautiful countryside pub. It’s so brilliant and I’m sorry I can’t stop raving.

And the next morning you get to do it all over again… kind of! 

A full breakfast offering is available at The Killingworth Castle served to guests Wednesday through Sunday. Though there is also an in-room continental box offered on Monday mornings.

I am always and forever obsessed with ordering veggie breakfasts whenever we travel, so I picked the Full Vegetarian. Vegetarian sausage, mushrooms, baked beans, grilled tomato, with poached eggs. Joe of course, picked the Blueberry Pancakes and maple syrup. Both were exactly what we were after. I’m probably a terrible person… I can never order pancakes for breakfast because I can never finish them. So luckily I can always snag a few bites of Joe’s! They’re so good but I can never eat all of it.

Also worth noting, I had an actual dream last night about eating the Natural Yoghurt and blueberry compote again. So that should probably indicate how good it was.

And endless coffee or tea awaits you as well. Coffee for me, obviously.

We had such a wonderful night away at The Killingworth Castle. It felt like such a treat to escape to the countryside for a little overnight stay. Only an hour and a half drive from London, it’s ideal as a lovely getaway. Settle in for a night of truly incredible food and drinks, excellent service and waking up to the sound of birds chirping outside your window. It’s seriously relaxing.

I’d also like to mention the COVID safety measures in place right now too. Currently guest rooms are available for contactless check in. And during your stay no one will be entering your room for daily cleaning unless requested. I’ve found has become the standard over the last year – I like it. You can also ask for anything you may need, like more towels of course.

They also have two dog friendly rooms available which is lovely – I do love a good dog in a pub! And last but not least, they also have a vegan menu offering available as well. Truly, there’s something for everyone. Rooms start from £99 on weekdays and £149 on the weekends.

I hope you enjoyed coming along with me on my visit to The Killingworth Castle. I can’t wait to visit again soon!

Kelly xoxo

5 Secrets of Blenheim Palace

We are so lucky to have Blenheim Palace on our doorstep. England’s famous palace is steeped in history, beauty and is of course, conveniently located round the corner from us! Check our special Blenheim Palace package offer here

But with every English palace comes secrets. And here are 5 things you never knew about the Blenheim Estate.

1. It was named Blenheim because the Earl of Marlborough finally - and against the odds - defeated Louis IVX’s army in 1704 in a town called Blenheim, in Bavaria. queen Anne celebrated the triumph by commissioning the wonderful baroque palace in his honour and it replaced the Tudor style, Royal Palace of Woodstock.

2. A cottage in the grounds used to home Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of Henry II. When his wife found out about the affair she was to be put to death by sword or poison. But on transfer to the Tower of London, she escaped and spent the rest of her days in a convent near Oxford.

3. Saved by marriage! Blenheim nearly went bust in the Victorian era until a rich bride from America was brought across to save the 9th Duke of Marlborough from ruin. Seventeen year old, Consuelo Vanderbuilt was married into the family making them multi millionaires again overnight. Both ended up remarrying but Blenheim had been saved.

4. World Heritage Site - considered by the United Nations in 1987 to be one of the most important examples of landscaping (Capability Brown) and Baroque architecture (Vanbrugh & Hawksmoor) it became the only historic house in the UK to have been bestowed this honour.

5. Women’s Rights - It is the only Dukedom in the UK that can pass down the female line. When the first Duke of Marlborough was left with no sons, a law was passed to enable female heirs.

Check our amazing @blenheimpalace offer here

Killy Gets Organic Award!

Woop woop! the Killingworth Castle and our sister pub, The Ebrington Arms have both scooped a top organic award!

Our pubs have now proudly joined only 10 other pubs and restaurants throughout the whole of the UK to achieve 3 stars or above in the ‘Organic Served Here’ awards scheme, run by The Soil Association.

It means that we are committed to offering between 50-75% organic produce on our menus.

A recent rise in conscious consumerism, and a desire to know where our food is from, has contributed to the more organic than ever being eaten in the UK. A recent Soil Association poll revealed that 50% of people are more likely to choose a restaurant that highlights its ethical and sustainable credentials and 43% of people think that having organic on the menu makes a restaurant more appealing.

Sarah Jupp, Business Development Manager for the Soil Association said, “We’re proud to award Yubby Inns 3 Organic Served Here stars and are confident this shift in sourcing will be extremely positive for business since it can be very difficult to find places to eat out organically.”

Jim explained; “Our customers have always been interested in the suppliers we use but we’ve been overwhelmed with the support in the move to going more organic. It means we can offer food and beer as it should be, with no synthetic pesticides or herbicides. We have spent a lot of time over the past year switching to more environmentally sound partners right across the board, from our energy and recycling to food and beverage suppliers and our three beers also went organic last year.”

Claire added; “Our teams have worked really hard to help us achieve this, they’re an amazing talented bunch. We’ve found some fabulous new suppliers that the chefs are loving working with and the customer feedback on dishes has been so  positive.”

Both pubs are also recommended in the Michelin Guide and hold 2 AA Rosettes for food. If you fancy a foodie break, check our sample menus and room offers.

Corey, Darral and ill receiving the award from the Soil Association’s Mark Machin

Christmas Market Round-up!

What better way to nail your Christmas shopping this year than by combining it with a Cotswold mini break? Shop til you drop at designer outlet Bicester Village, historic Stratford Upon Avon or a whole host of gorgeous independent festival Christmas markets.

We’ve listed them all in our area so you can plan in any shopping recovery in front of our roaring fires with 2 Rosette food and gorgeous relaxing bedrooms. Take advantage of our 3 for 2 night and Winter deals - treat yourself & take the pain out of the shopping this year!

NOVEMBER

Cheltenham 22 Nov - 15 December (market plus over 140 independent boutiques & shops)

Oxford - Christmas Lights Festival - 16-18

Blenheim Palace - 17-20 - Living Crafts for Christmas Fair

Woodstock - at the Hopcroft Holt Hotel with artisan traders & Santa’s Grotto on Sun 18th

Moreton in Marsh - 24 November

Tewkesbury - 25 November

Broadway - 30 November

Blenheim Palace wonderland of illuminations in the estate grounds plus indoor Cinderella experience in the state rooms inside - From Fri 23rd Nov - January 13th

DECEMBER

Chipping Campden - market & light switch-on with 40 stalls, entertainment & food - Sat 1st (and market on Sunday 2nd too)

Kelmscott Christmas Craft Fair - 3rd Dec

Stow on the Wold Annual Christmas Tree Festival plus festive food, funfair & Father Christmas - 6-9th

Broadway - late night shopping & carol singing & street entertainers until 8.30pm - 7th Dec

Stratford Upon Avon - 7-9th - Big Christmas fair with over 150 stalls!

Oxford Christmas Market - 7-22nd

Cogges Manor Farm Xmas market, near Witney (60 stalls plus Father Christmas!) 8th & 9th

Sudeley Castle display of light & sound with ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme - 8-30th

Chipping Norton - 70 stalls great for foodies and arts and crafts gifts - Sun 9th

Christmas Gift & Fashion Fair at Cheltenham Racecourse - 14 & 15