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The Feathers Hotel is smart and sophisticated, bringing a touch of elegance to the historic market town of Woodstock, quite near Oxford and the awe inspiring Blenheim Palace. This 17th century hotel is a favourite with those seeking weekend solace but occasion or not, it merits a visit as it is a splendid accommodation with log fires and traditional English furnishings. The antique panelled 2 AA Rosette winning restaurant serves delicious English cuisine in a relaxed and charming ambience with ingredients that are locally sourced and completely fresh.

The regularly changing à la carte could bring starters of oak smoked eel, horseradish mousse, beetroot velouté and orange coriander cress followed by a main course of Cornish grey mullet, spiced aubergine puree, chorizo, puy lentils and coriander. End with a baked Cuban chocolate pudding with lime and chocolate chip sorbet or a selection of British and French cheeses. A Sunday lunch offers a variety of appetizing options including roast sirloin of Mac Duff beef with red wine jus.

Located in the centre of Woodstock and within easy walking distance of Blenheim Place, The Kings Arms has recently been totally refurbished and combines a traditional contemporary style with comfort and hospitality. Their Atrium restaurant offers an extensive menu with a choice of daily specials.

There are simple dishes that can be eaten at the bar at lunchtime or in the restaurant in the evening, like crab, salmon and herb fishcakes, summer leaf and cherry tomato salad, pesto dressing; classic chicken Caesar salad, with anchovies; organic beef burger in Italian herb bread with chips and green salad or beer battered cod fillet with chips and mushy peas.

Their a la carte choices could include: pan sealed pigeon breasts, whisky sauce with vegetable fritter or rillette of pork with warm bread and sweet red onion marmalade to start, followed by baked chicken stuffed with apricot and date, vanilla pod butter sauce and steamed greens; green pea and sweet roasted shallots risotto with mascarpone and parmesan cheese or wine steamed scallop, turbot and mussels, coriander couscous and baby leeks.

The King's Head dates back to 1801 and even today it is well-known as a traditional English pub, although the candle lights and moody lighting show subtle traces of novelty, while the original stone walls and open fireplace speak of classic formality. There is an attractive courtyard seating for those warm sunny days.

The kitchen makes the best use of fresh local produce from Oxfordshire, bringing out starters of squid and chorizo stew, potted Devon crab and shredded duck salad with oak leaf, walnuts and mustard dressing. There is something for everyone in the main course list, whether it's a crispy pork belly, Hereford beef and ale pie, or crayfish linguini. The menu also features a selection of Oxfordshire cheeses inviting diners to delve into the wonderfully soft and buttery flavour of Cotswold Brie, the strong and tangy Oxford Isis, or smooth Haddon Gold.

Bar snacks are available all day at The King's Head and the daily changing carte will please those with an adventurous palate.

Located in the picturesque town of Woodstock, The Macdonald Bear Hotel is a reassuringly quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city and has evolved into a destination dining place with its 2 AA Rosette restaurant. Guest can enjoy a superb modern British menu in one or three separate dining rooms all decorated in rich colours with bow windows, oak beams and an open fire.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch every day and dinner, whilst afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the serene Churchill Lounge. The dinner menu displays the Bear Hotel?s commitment to seasonal and organic produce, serving the highest quality Scottish ingredients. There could be starters of cured Shetland organic salmon with carrot, orange and vanilla puree followed by braised blade of 21-day aged Scottish beef served with mashed potato, and braised red cabbage in a red wine sauce.

Guest could also visit the hotel?s cosy bar and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere while enjoying local real ale or a malt whisky.

In the centre of this showpiece Oxfordshire village excellent meals and a warm welcome can be found in an historic setting that combines comfortable eating with relaxation and good service.

The Woodstock Arms has been at the hub of this beautiful village for a very long time and seems to have absorbed the effort that successive owners have injected into making the place a success. In some ways Woodstock acts as the gateway to one of the most grand Baroque palaces in England, Blenheim Palace, built for the 1st Duke of Marlborough as an expression of gratitude by a victorious nation, and as ever some of that reflected glory gets into the water, so to speak.

However, the menu does not offer grande cuisine, but thoroughly wholesome, well-presented mainly British food with hearty appetites in mind, albeit with some interesting European and Pacific influences visible on the 'specials' board.