Church Enstone’s Crowning Glory
Village Life
Last weekend my other half and I visited a historic Oxfordshire village gastropub for the night - The Crown at Church Enstone. Near to Chipping Norton – epicentre of the smart West Oxfordshire set, the pub is also a stone’s throw from Soho Farmhouse.
Surrounded by rambling Cotswolds countryside, the 17th century Cotswold stone Crown lies at the heart of a beautifully preserved village. Close to Blenheim Palace and Bicester Village, it acts as a fabulous base to explore the area.
Church Enstone also is home to St Kenelms’ - a 12th century Saxon church with a Norman doorway, mentioned in the Canterbury Tales. The pub was originally built to accommodate workers who restored and developed the Church in the 16th Century and rumour has it Charles I once stayed at the inn (hence why called the Crown), when he visited from Oxford.
Crown owners Kate and Matt Beamish bought the pub in September 2022. The couple also run The Kingham Plough and Hare at Milton on the Oxfordshire /Gloucestershire borders. Prior to its re-opening in November 22, The Crown underwent a sensitive refurbishment of its ground floor bar and dining rooms, in a relaxed palette of inky blues, soft greens and greys with hand-blocked wallpapers and fabrics by Rapture & Wright.
Rooms
Above the pub, five bedrooms finished to a very high spec are named after neighbouring villages and hamlets. Extra comforting touches include hypoallergenic duvets and pillows covered with crisp white linen and cotton quilts by Soak & Sleep, alongside velvet cushions, chic table lamps, cosy armchairs and lovely views over the village.
We however were staying over in the gorgeous one-bed self-catering ‘Crown Cottage’ next door. Edged by meandering meadows, dotted with pens of pig and sheep, we spotted ponies and two tractors gently ambling along, as we had a little stroll before dinner.
The Pub
The pub boasts exposed oak beams, rendered Cotswold stone walls, reclaimed timber floors, vintage furnishings, contemporary artworks and old photographs and prints on the walls. To one side of the pub sits a beautiful, plant-filled garden room with French doors leading directly onto a cottage garden with mature plants, including a recently- added sunken garden edged by dry stone walls. There’s also a new garden growing seasonal vegetables, summer herbs and chilis.
Behind the flagstone bar, a well-curated wine list, weekly changing local and guest ales and artisanal soft drinks. We ordered a drink, before choosing a window table in the conservatory dining room. The menu showcases the very best fresh locally sourced produce.
Dinner
Head Chef Jason Christie has been at the helm for a year – before that he interestingly was head of ferments at Daylesford, which explained the dish with kimchi on the menu. His global influences
seasonal menus of modern British and French dishes and pub classics with innovative twists.
Expect re-imagined pub classics on a bi-weekly changing menu, daily changing specials plus an all-day, seasonal bar snack menu, Sunday Roast menu and tempting children’s menu. Not forgetting our furry friends, water bowls and biscuits are always also available for dogs.
For dinner we started with the most moreish malted sourdough with house butters (two herby dollops so good they could be eaten on their own). Next followed cheddar beignets with aioli, cod skin scratchings (that didn’t perhaps look the most appealing, but nonetheless dipped in the whipped cod’s roe were delicious). We also greedily tried white onion soup and butted poached asparagus. Unable to resist, we then both opted for a 9oz Longhorn Ribeye steak, with Café de Paris herby butter, served with perfectly cooked chips.
Good night's sleep
Bedding down for the night, our three-story cottage had quaint features-a-plenty, with original exposed staircases, open log fire (which we lit), beautifully appointed kitchen with patio garden, sumptuous bedroom and beamed top bathroom, complete with walk-in shower and huge rolltop bath. Breakfast was an indulgent full English - the perfect start to a Sunday in the Cotswolds.
THE DETAILS
Info to book
Double rooms from £150 a night and cottage £225 a night for a two-night minimum stay , on a B&B basis. Dogs £10 a night.
Address: Mill Lane, Church Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 4NN
Phone: 01608 677 262.
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