Woodstock Arms

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. Starters of king prawns grilled with garlic butter come well hedged about with crusty bread, or you can enjoy a selection of breads with three dips to share, an increasingly popular way of starting a meal.

For lovers of seafood there is smoked Scottish salmon with caper berries and dill sauce, and home potted shrimps with salad garnish and wholemeal bread. Vegetarians will be more than pleased with grilled goats' cheese on brioche toast, and tarts with new potatoes and a mixed leaf salad.

Tradition continues to lead the way with the ever popular prime rib eye steak, char-grilled to your taste, with garlic butter and served with salad and new potatoes or fries; the beef is supplied from the Ditchley estate. On a chilly autumn day there are few things more cheering than a steak and Guinness pie, served with new potatoes. The secluded, smoke free garden provides a sunny haven with shade on warmer days, with food to match.

Those who think that all the cod we eat nowadays comes from foreign waters should order the fresh Cornish variety used in this restaurant, served in the customary way, crumbed and fried and with a good helping of French fries and tartare sauce. Cumberland has a reputation for comfortable eating and their particular brand of sausages are renowned the world over. Here they are served with mashed potatoes and a red wine sauce.

The pudding selection can hardly be bettered - Sylvia's special crème brûlée, a delicious Belgian chocolate truffle cake or pecan tart served warm with cream rounded off well with a great platter of British and French cheese and some delightful biscuits and fruit.

Nor is the liquid refreshment of anything less than a similar standard. For lovers of traditional ale they have on draught Greene King IPA, Abbot Ale and Old Speckled Hen, a formidable trio indeed. Amongst the wine list expect to find major contributions from Europe and South America, with a good selection from the New World. Nearly all wine is available by the bottle or by glass.

The Woodstock Arms is a very English place that makes concessions in other directions when it suits, but otherwise remains steadfastly loyal. Is this not what originally put the Great into Britain? Anyway you can find the answer on their Website, where their wedding reception and outside catering expertise are also described.