If you’re after some delicious pub grub in the heart of Gloucestershire, check out SoGlos’s round up of 15 places to enjoy top pub grub in the county with our hot list.
With many championing local produce, Cotswold charm and plenty of traditional treats, here’s your go-to guide of where to try out next.
1. The Porch House
Located in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold, The Porch House’s menus are packed with locally sourced ingredients, forming delicious traditional meals with a modern twist. Lunch dishes include sweet potato bubble and squeak with a poached egg; the Dexter beef burger with triple cooked chips; ocean fish pie; or Brakspear bitter battered haddock with chips.
Promising all the pub grub classics but created using the highest quality ingredients, The Porch House also offers dishes including roasted gammon with free range eggs and chips, as well as a classic ploughman’s lunch.
2. The Royal Exchange
The Royal Exchange is just a short drive out of Gloucester on the A417 at Hartpury. Serving up traditional British fayre which is freshly prepared, locally sourced and seasonal, meals can be enjoyed in the pub’s country-style dining rooms or secluded beer garden.
The countryside pub is now a freehouse, belonging to a local farming family which also owns the Red Lion at Wainlode.
3. The Old Courthouse
This lovingly restored former courthouse in the centre of Cheltenham is a perfect spot for traditional pub grub in the centre of town. Decorated in a contemporary style with a gentleman’s club theme, it’s a relaxing spot to drink or dine.
Described as both a pub and restaurant, The Old Courthouse is the first venue in the south west to open under the Brunning & Price chain. Serving Sunday roasts alongside salads, steak, pies and fish dishes, the menu can be described as traditional dining with a modern twist; often including Asian influences within its seasonal British offering.
4. The Maytime Inn
This stunning 17th-century country pub is located in the Cotswold village of Asthall, near Burford. There’s a lovely garden at The Maytime Inn, perfect for enjoying a gin, real ale or craft beer.
The restaurant’s award-winning chefs use the finest local produce to offer a range of traditional pub favourites, as well as Sunday lunches and a tempting à la carte menu.
5. The Pheasant Inn, Toddington
This friendly village pub is the perfect lunchtime retreat if you’ve travelled on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The inn offers country-style dining in its restaurant or beer garden.
Located just a few minutes’ walk from the Toddington rail station; stop here for some traditional homemade food and a cold refreshing ale.
6. The Farmer’s Boy Inn
The Farmer’s Boy Inn in Longhope is a cosy 17th-century pub, which was refurbished in 2015.
Serving up a traditional menu using high quality ingredients, the Famers Boy Inn is also famous for its gourmet pies which are served year-round. The pub welcomes visitors with both children and dogs, and now has a number of gluten free and vegan options available.
7. The Gloucester Old Spot
The Gloucester Old Spot in Cheltenham serves up a traditional menu alongside a range of ales, ciders and wine. Perfectly located between Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, The Gloucester Old Spot is a lovely venue for those who don’t want to travel too far from town.
Specialising in locally-sourced and seasonal dishes, food can be served in the rather grand Baronial Dining Hall or more relaxed bar area.
8. Gupshill Manor
Famous for its high quality, traditional dishes, Gupshill Manor in Tewkesbury has a lovely beer garden which can be a real sun trap in the Summer.
Dog-friendly and with options to eat in the bar, restaurant or outside, Gupshill Manor is a lovely pub destination, whatever the weather.
9. The Bell at Sapperton
The Bell at Sapperton, nestled between Stroud and Cirencester, is renowned for offering excellent gastropub cuisine. This idyllic village pub has a selection of real ales.
As well as its fresh homemade meals, the venue also boasts an atmospheric bar with flagstone floors, ancient beamed ceilings, roaring log fires and a spacious garden.
10. The Ebrington Arms
A 17th-century Cotswold inn offering a traditional English country pub atmosphere, The Ebrington Arms serves up delicious food and real ales. The pub has been heart of the local community since the 1640s, with owners Jim and Claire Alexander transforming it into a destination gastropub when they took over in 2007.
Voted the UK’s number one village pub by The Times in 2017, visitors can enjoy locally sourced meals, cooked to order.
11. The Potting Shed, Wiltshire
Okay, so this one isn’t technically in Gloucestershire, but we couldn’t miss out The Potting Shed!
Located just over the border near Malmesbury, this charming Cotswold country pub is known for its locally sourced meals. Specializing in British seasonal cuisine, The Potting Shed changes its menus regularly, so no two visits will likely be the same.
12. The House in the Tree
The House in the Tree in Cheltenham is a popular local pub, offering traditional British cuisine and a range of specials.
Open for lunch, evening means and Sunday lunch, The House in the Tree includes a restaurant, bar, outdoor beer garden and even a petting zoo!
13. The Oak, Painswick
The Oak in Painswick serves up traditional home-cooked pub grub including burgers; ham, egg and chips; fish pie; and spiced lamb hot pot.
This charming Cotswold pub is the perfect stop for walkers or people visiting for the day. The Oak benefits from a sunny courtyard garden, a cosy open fire and is also dog friendly.
14. The Tunnel House Inn
A beautiful Cotswold pub serving freshly-cooked food all-year-round, The Tunnel House Inn near Cirencester offers up great value, high quality food in an idyllic setting.
Famous for its delicious Sunday roasts. The venue prepares all of its food on site using local suppliers with sustainable farming practices. There’s some great English ales on tap, too.
15. The Craven Arms
The Craven Arms is a traditional, family-run county pub located in Brockhampton, near Cheltenham.
Dating back to the 16th century, the venue boasts a lovely bar and restaurant serving up a mix of contemporary and traditional pub grub; baguettes; grills served on a hot rock and a delicious Sunday menu.
