Last week I was lucky enough to spend a night at The Killingworth Castle - a 17th century coaching inn located just a few miles from the magnificent Blenheim Palace and the picturesque village of Woodstock and only a 25 min drive from Oxford city centre.
The Killingworth is known for its award winning menu, rated 'restaurant of the year' and 'pub of the year' by the Oxford Times and the food did not disappoint; we enjoyed an absolutely delicious dinner of mussels with chilli garlic and white wine, oyster steak, macaroni cheese and truffle and white chocolate and strawberry cheese cake. The ingredients were super fresh and everything was beautifully presented. The restaurant had a lovely ambience with a roaring fire and candlelight creating a cosy atmosphere. Sir Winston Churchill apparently thought so too - he used to drop in when staying at his birthplace, the nearby Blenheim Palace.
We then retired to our room which very much had a country-chic vibe going on; muted tones, traditional furniture and even a complimentary bottle of sherry and homemade cookies (given to all guests on arrival) made this the perfect country retreat.
If you're visiting Oxford and are looking to explore the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside (a real must!) then I'd highly recommend this as a spot to switch off from the bustle of the city and relax. If it's just a delightful meal you're after, then look no further than The Killingworth (definitely a place to show to your families, in case they fancy treating you when they come to visit!)