The Killingworth Castle. Discover Top Class Cotswolds Gastropub Dining Without Hipster Hype.

Rob Rees tries the new summer menu at The Killingworth Castle his favourite Cotswolds gastropub, near Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

Tucked away in the peaceful village of Wootton close to Blenheim and Woodstock, The Killingworth Castle or ‘The Killy’ as it’s more affectionately known, blends countryside charm with forward-thinking British cuisine under Head Chef Adam Brown. It has been my favourite country fine dining spot for three years now.

In 2012, the 17th century coaching inn was a derelict shadow of its former self. Owners Jim and Claire Alexander saw an opportunity to build the kind of classy gastropub they would want to visit with friends. They left pressured marketing careers in London, secured crowdfunding, sold another pub along the way and began a painstaking, patient refurbishment in Wootton that was finally completed post-pandemic.

Their efforts have seriously paid off. Today, The Killingworth Castle regularly features among the UK’s top gastropubs. It’s received numerous accolades including three AA Rosettes and a Michelin Guide listing for nine consecutive years. I so love it because it’s not full of all that London-driven media hype. It’s not chasing any latest trend like small plates and Boy Scout campfire cooking.

The Killy isn’t for the vacuous hipster or the urban gullible, it’s here for the long term and it does things with charm and authenticity. It’s raft of loyal customers really “do know what good looks like”. The Killingworth Castle is the antithesis of bland, corporatised pub chains too – it’s full of soul, substance and understated style.

Head Chef Adam Brown is the humble creative force behind The Killy’s kitchen. Having honed his craft under Gordon Ramsay at his Michelin-starred Hospital Road Chelsea restaurant, he champions seasonal British ingredients and inventive but grounded dishes. His food is elegant and thoughtful, without ever being fussy. Adam’s presence is as warm as his food is accomplished – he’s often seen chatting with diners, making every visit feel personal.

Jim, meanwhile, is the quintessential host – approachable, attentive and well-supported by his stellar front-of-house team including Nick, Robert and Abbie. The service strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and refined.

Menus evolve regularly, driven by seasonality and The Killy’s discerning but value-seeking customer base. A recent highlight was the brilliant £30 winter lunchtime deal – soup, pie and crumble – that embodied the very definition of comfort food.

The brand new summer menus change it up yet again. Jim and Adam have introduced a “pub classics” value menu for the garden & bar. There’s a new tighter seasonally-driven à la carte fine dining selection.

All day, in the bar or al fresco, you can enjoy the gourmet Cheeseburger (£21) or a Beer battered fish and chips with fresh, homemade tartare sauce (£21). And if you try one thing, it’s got to be the Adam’s Treacle Soda Bread with legendary creamy Ampersand butter (£6). No artisan baker will better it.

“Wait & let patience complete, be replete & lack nothing” is quoted in small print on the bottom of the à la carte menus. It is hard to disagree.

So time to grab my favourite table inside, relax and savour every mouthful.

Starters were visual masterpieces. Cacklebean egg with Wye valley white asparagus, sweetcorn & pickled shallots was so colourful with multiple textures & contrasts (£15). Chalk stream trout with kohlrabi, Granny Smith apple, buttermilk & dill sauce had subtlety, rich colour & exciting flavours (£16).

I plumped for the English rose veal main with sweetbreads, gem lettuce, peas, veal & rosemary jus (£34). A finely balanced meat dish that is not seen often enough on British menus. The sizeable Monkfish tail on the bone with asparagus, salty fingers, fish bone sauce couldn’t have been bettered (£36). This sweet, firm-textured delicious fish is supplied by Flying Fish, Cornwall’s premier fishmonger to Britain’s very top chefs.

Adam’s perfect desserts are creations of pure beauty – strawberry cheesecake with strawberry sorbet was all velvety summery smoothness (£12). The classic raspberry souffle, raspberry sauce & ginger ice cream is divine (£14) such zestiness and warm indulgence. I would argue it can’t be bettered anywhere in the South East – it’s often copied but never beaten! It remains on the menu all year round so you will not be disappointed if you visit.

And to top it all, The Killy’s vibe is beyond charming. Interiors are all exposed stone, wooden floors, roaring fires and vintage leather chairs. Every pub room is different, filled with eclectic artwork and antique tables that create a relaxed, intimate dining atmosphere across five distinct spaces. Whether you’re on a date, celebrating with family, or just passing through, there’s a perfect corner waiting for you. It attracts a diverse but harmonious crowd. Sunday lunches are legendary in these parts.

The cosy bar welcomes dogs, and the pub is surrounded by fine walking on the Blenheim Estate. The pub garden offers 40 covers for al fresco dining, while the adjacent stable block has been converted into eight beautifully appointed en-suite rooms. Overnight guests can expect a genuine welcome and one of the best cooked breakfasts in the region. The Killy won the coveted AA Breakfast Award in 2024.

Whether you’re drawn by the summer menu, the setting, a short stay or the region’s history, in my opinion The Killingworth Castle continues to provide some of the best dining the Cotswolds has to offer.

Tell Me More About The Killingworth Castle

The Killingworth Castle, Glympton Road, Wootton, Woodstock Oxfordshire

OX20 1EJ

T: 01993 811 401 e: reservations@thekillingworthcastle.com

Open daily from 8am.

To make a potential Summer stay even sweeter, Jim is offering 20% off 2-night mini-breaks in June & July, including Adam’s award-winning full English breakfast.

Instagram: @thekillingworth @adam_chef_brown_