Where to Get the Best Sunday Roast in The Cotswolds

The Holford Arms is the kind of pub you wish was your local. Everything from the friendly staff, and resident pub dog, to the great choice of local ales and the huge beer garden makes this the perfect stop off for a relaxing Sunday. The food is pretty special here, and Sunday lunch never disappoints. Using veg grown in their on-site vegetable garden, as well as pork from the Mangalitsa pigs reared in the pub grounds, you know you’re getting the highest quality local produce around. Plus, the cauliflower cheese is the best you’ll ever taste! A great stop-off after a trip to Westonbirt Arboretum, just up the road.

When it comes to cosy Cotswold pubs, The Wild Duck at Ewen has got it nailed. Steeped in history and bursting with character, it’s the perfect place to head on a drizzly Sunday, take your spot in front of a roaring fire and indulge. Part of the highly acclaimed Lucky Onion group, The Wild Duck takes its food very seriously — as is reflected in the impressive menu. Whether you go for roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, pork with crackling and apple sauce or chicken and pigs in blankets, just make sure you leave room for the sticky toffee pudding.

Set in the pretty Cotswold town of Stow on the Wold, The Porch House is reputed to be England’s oldest inn. With parts of the pub dating back to 947AD, The Porch House perfectly mixes the old with the new with cool, modern touches and an airy conservatory dining space making this a stylish spot for Sunday lunch. The ethos here is all about simple yet robust cooking, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. The beef and pork, as a for instance, come from Todenham Farm, less than 10 miles away. Generous portions, an excellent wine list and chic surroundings, as well as The Good Pub Guide’s ‘New Pub of the Year 2016’ award, make this place a must-visit when you’re in the area.

Situated on a gloriously idyllic village green, The King’s Head, in Bledington, lives up to even the highest of traditional Cotswold country pub expectations. Popular with locals and visitors alike, The King’s Head delivers not only on location, but atmosphere and, of course, award-winning food. The ingredients are sourced from local farms and suppliers, and the menu changes with the seasons. For a very social Sunday lunch with a difference, bring a group of friends and try the ‘Roasts to Share’: A joint of beef, pork or lamb, carved at the table with all the trimmings. Just make sure you call three days ahead as this will need to be pre-ordered.

This beautiful 17th-century pub has been given a bit of a makeover by Proprietor and Head Chef Nick Deverell-Smith. The Churchill Arms still retains its traditional Cotswold charm, but with a more contemporary approach to food — this is no run-of-the-mill pub grub! Deverell-Smith has over 15 years of experience in top-class restaurants, and his experience and passion for food is reflected in the menu. With a very strong focus on local suppliers — most within 10mi (16km) of the pub — Sunday lunch is outstanding. Just make sure you book as it can prove very popular!

Whether it’s bagging a spot in front of one of the roaring log fires in winter or relaxing in the landscaped garden in summer, The Bell at Sapperton manages to impress, whatever the time of year. With a lively atmosphere and attentive staff, it’s a hit with locals and visitors alike. The pub even has dedicated horse parking so makes a great lunch stop for riders. Using the best Cotswold ingredients, and vegetables from the garden when the season allows, Sunday lunch is a treat. Kick off with The Bell Bloody Mary, then take your pick from pork, beef, chicken or a veggie option, with seasonal veg, roasties and a Yorkshire pudding.