Horse and Groom in South Oxfordshire

Absolutely Superb food. Everything is cooked from the freshest ingredients. Been going there for several years and it never stops being the best food to be found anywhere. Delightful simple tiny pub where everything is done with integrity.

Found this little gem of a place by accident had a quick lunch time drink and made a reservation for the evening and it did not disappoint. Food was some of the best we have ever experienced. My partner had steak in cognac and peppercorn sauce and I had chicken in a tarragon cream sauce and it was fantastic. Will definitely return when we are next in the area and would highly recommend.

This pub is a beacon and a shining light amid the world of pub food. After walking all morning we surfaced at the Horse and Groom where three of our party enjoyed three different types of fish, grilled, on crushed potatoes with accompanying beans and a delicious beure sauce. Dishes ordered by our friends included canelloni with salad and toasty bread, and English Sausages with accompanying delights. We have the impression that all the food is cooked to order and on site, and that this approach is as far away from the heat-it-up-in-the-microwave syndrome, as it is possible to be. We did have to wait a little while the dishes were cooked and prepared and this is hardly surprising given the quality of the result which was excellent! We have enjoyed lunch here on several occasions in the past year or two and it has always been top quality - so, get along there, and enjoy your meal! This is what pubs should be like - and enjoy the beer too, which was well-kept.

Met friends at this very cosy pub today which was midway between Cotswold and Hertfordshire. A warm welcome from the staff and a good fire in the log burner. Fantastic food , between us we all had different starters and mains e.g Sea Bass, Venison, Steak and Kidney pie. Well worth a visit

This was the best food we have had in along time. Well cooked and beautiful flavours. The sauces on the steaks were divine.

Savor the exquisite, authentic, and soulful cuisine presented in charming surroundings brimming with character. The pricing is fair and justified, offering excellent value for the culinary experience. Each dish is served piping hot, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail in both preparation and presentation. The service is not only efficient but also marked by a high standard of excellence. The chef, hailing from France, showcases true culinary mastery with his authentic cassoulet, characterized by its generous portions. Observing the enjoyment of numerous customers around us, it became evident that the cassoulet was a popular and satisfying choice, further attesting to the chef's skill and the overall culinary appeal of the establishment.

Enjoyed our Sunday meal the Brisket was so tender best I have had in a long time. This is a very small pub so you will need to book - but well worth it. Thank you for a lovely lunch.

Had the Sunday lunch it was great decent portions well cooked friendly staff.. Fast service wil be going back there again soon..

Had the pork and the burger, both amazing best we have had in / near Bicester for a long time.. Decor is not great but it's a quaint little place. Will be going again the pork was amazing

Fantastic menu, food beautifully cooked, warm welcome. This is a really lovely rural pub and there’s nothing pretentious about The Horse and Groom. I cannot recommend this place more highly.

Excellent dinner, and lovely hosts. Really couldn’t fault the place, Nothing was to much trouble, and they made you feel very welcome. If only all places were like this!

We always have such an enjoyable time at this pub. The food is always delicious with plenty of choice, and the service is fantastic. Jerome and Stacey, you're both doing a super job, well done!

Great pub, beer always good with plenty of variety. Wonderful food and friendly welcome. What pubs are all about

The food is quite good and the service is ok. My main issue is with the parking. There is parking for 7 cars in the lay-by across the quite busy road where cars are driving at 40-60 mph so it’s not safe unloading children. The other two times I have been has been at night so the lane next to the pub has been full of cars. I made the mistake of parking in the lane and left enough room for a Range Rover to get through so thought it was fine. This incredibly angry neighbour came into the pub and started berating me saying no one should park in the lane and demanding to know where I lived so he could come park across my house. He thinks parking on the road limits the ability for emergency vehicles to access the houses. This went on for about 5-10 minutes. I was initially apologetic but this seemed to make him more angry and then I had had enough of his rude interruption into my otherwise pleasant lunch. I pointed out there is no signage stating parking is not allowed. I thought he was going to hit me. I think he only didn’t because I am a woman. The food is really not worth having to deal with this unpleasant fellow. I won’t be back.

Hidden gem for us not so locals. We were away for a birthday weekend, first time without our babies! We hadn’t booked a table and we were greeted with friendly & helpful staff. We ordered the baked Camembert and the Toulouse sausages for main, we enjoyed a bottle of their Malbec. Oh my the food!!! It was just fantastic, so so tasty and we wanted more! The chips and the gravy were the highlight for us. So much passion and love is in that food and you could really tell with the flavours! The staff were so friendly and chatty and after the food service finished, they came out and joined us in the bar. Was such a personal touch to our experience, such lovely people. We loved everything and will definitely be back when we visit the area again! 100% recommend! Thank you Jerome & Stacey 😊

We had an exceptionally good Sunday lunch at the Horse & Groom today. The menu had lots to choose from and the Braised Lentil Cottage Pie and the Roast Pork that we chose were of a very high quality. As other reviewers have said, we enjoyed every mouthful. The dining room was a very calm environment and as people who are not comfortable with dogs in restaurants, we were very grateful for the “no dogs permitted inside” policy. The service was warm, polite and understated as it should be. The local community can feel very fortunate to have Jerome and Stacey in their midst.

Had a repeat visit for lunch last week. Sadly the seafood gratin thermador was not available that day. My husband had roast loin of cod wrapped in ham with a beurre blanc sauce. I had a lighter dish of mixed mushroom tartlet with a tarragon sauce, salad with a pine nut dressing which was delicious. We will return as the menu changes very frequently and we always find it difficult to chose what to have from the menu!!

Warm welcome, very good service and excellent food. We had prawns for starters which were fantastic, followed by seafood gratin thermador. Very good. I have only eaten food like this whilst in France. The chef and service are faultless. A truely enjoyable experience.

What a fab place! Three of us looked forward our dinner here and we weren’t disappointed. Jerome, the chef/patron who keeps his local beers well, catered willingly and thoughtfully for my rare food allergy. We had beautifully cooked slow rib of beef, crumb encrusted baked...

I’d highly recommend going to the Horse and Groom! Such a cosy interior, the perfect place to stop off at on a walk, or venture to for dinner. The food was superb. We enjoyed every mouthful!

Took my partner for a special dinner, he can be very hard to please when eating out but we had such an amazing experience he wants to make it our regular spot! The sea bass was delicious and he couldn't stop telling me how amazing...

Very friendly and welcoming. Great food and good variety (steak, fish, pork different burgers) at very good value. Thank you Stacey and Jerome. Will go again.

We visited this charming country pub for lunch. The menu had so many super choices but both of us had Bouillabaisse which was a good as any we have eaten in France. The fish was cooked to perfection the broth was just fabulous. It was...

Lucky enough to be passing through Caulcott and book ourselves a late lunch at the Horse & Groom. Fantastic food; delicious and well presented. Good service and nice surroundings. Whether local or passing traveller, support Jerome and Stacey if you can. You won't be disappointed.

A wonderful Sunday lunch at the Horse and Groom, Caulcott. I chose the lamb having enjoyed another lamb dish so much on the Friday with an Asparagus starter. Excellent attention to keeping everyone safe, disinfecting the tables and seats between guests. A lovely atmosphere.

Jerome and Stacey have a reputation for quietly producing fine pub food that is a distinct cut above the norm. We have enjoyed their warmth and hospitality for some years now. But today they really excelled themselves. Three beef brisket roasts and a tournedos of...

My first visit last night accompanied by regulars. The menu was enticing and the food delivered in terms of variety, quality and taste. A true gem in my book and my first of many more visits to come 👍

I wish this was my local - feels very comfy with the warming fire, non-standard beer, and food with s French influence. We stopped for an October Wednesday lunch to find this popular spot; savoury Tarte Tatin and Croque Mariniere filled us nicely. Tempting puddings...

Firstly I applaud the correct precautions taken to safeguard everyone during the Covid 19 problem . A great covered outdoor seating area was provided plus a well thought out one way system for using the ( very clean) conveniences . Plus a lot more measures...

A really friendly village establishment, the staff are following all the Covid restrictions and delivering lovely food in a safe and exceptionally friendly way. Really worth supporting your local businesses. Thank you for looking after us during our stay even with my fussy food requests

My mum lives in the hamlet behind the pub and with the change in the Covid rules we were able to meet and have dinner in the garden. We have often eaten in the pub so ordered a takeaway which they have just started doing....

Four of us enjoyed a magnificent lunch here today. We loved every aspect of it; the pub is really cosy and quaint, the staff were really friendly and professional and made us feel welcome. We all ordered something different; a rib-eye steak, sausages and mash,...

The exterior and the interior of this pub defies the quality of the food that it serves. Had a most enjoyable lunch here with some excellent food, beer and wine. I can see why it has so many very good reviews.

Booked lunch at 1.30pm on a Saturday as been to Bicester then had a driving experience nearby, four of us, pretty quiet in there, just one lady and a table of 3 and us. Service was good and food which was baguettes was all good.

Visited for midweek lunch and it was superb.3 warnings first - it is easily missed as it is on a fast part of B4030 and the pub is in a dip off the road; parking is on the road or in the layby opposite; the pub looks a little rundown from the outside but do not be fooled!!Basic but comfortable inside, v welcoming barstaff, HUGH menu, all our food was excellent, we ate mixed fried fish, ham and eggs, lamb burger, crumble and summer pudding, well presented, tasty and large portions, reasonably priced, they also do flights of beer (next time).I would strongly recommend here and will revisit.

Eat here in the evening a couple of weekends ago. I had the best fillet steak I've had in years. the service was very good too

Visited here on tuesday before leaving to return to northern Ireland, our food was to die for, everything on the plate was delicious and nothing was too much trouble, beautiful place and wish we had of eaten there all weekend, it was fresh, super tasty and the bread was so good!

Popped in here on a total off chance as we were hungry and looking for the first pub lunch on our journey. What a lucky chance it was. Stunning building, wonderful food, great staff / owners and they were very happy to cater for my allergies. If we are every back in the area we will definitely go back.

Lovely old thatched free house pub with very good food from the charming French chef. Good choice of beers and a very pleasant friendly atmosphere. (Thursday is steak night - with quality aged beef - in addition to the many specials). 2 starters and 2 mains from the specials board with a couple of drinks came to just over £50. Thank you all at the Horse and Groom for your smiling hospitality and a super dinner. You deserve to do well.

This is not a typical pub with pub food--this is a pub that reminds me of a French Bistro. It is located in a thatched roof house in the middle of nowhere, on road leading to Lower Heyford in Oxfordshire. It is easy to miss. The interiors are cozy--there is a small bar, and some tables in the room where the bar is, and then a separate room with tables, decorated with paintings, blue-and-white china, and whimsical kitchen utensils hung from the beams. The menu is extensive, and reservations are essential (we couldn't be seated the first night we dropped in, interestingly, on the night we had reservations, there were very few people in the pub). When you reserve, you can inform the chef about food allergies, and they are extremely accommodating.

In my view its about as good as you can get in the world of pubs and food.....ran confidently by a hard working Anglo/French couple it produces excellent food coupled with a lovely ambiance....unfortunately it attracts largely middleclass clientele which can be a little over powering

Easily booked a table for two on what seemed a quiet Sunday by the lack of custom.

This is essentially a traditional country pub with a roaring log fire facing the bar, but the area to the side, set out mainly for dining, has somewhat the feel of a French bistro. Well known for the quality of their beer, there are four ales on offer, Black Sheep being the regular plus three varying ales mainly from smaller breweries from just about anywhere in the country. Food is high quality and priced accordingly, with the varying specials mostly priced close to £20. They also do steaks, a range of O'Hagan's sausages plus a separate lunch menu, featuring croques, sandwiches and snack-type meals such as omelettes and ploughman's. It's quite a small pub, so you may need to book at busy times. Note: parking isn't great here; best bet is probably in the lay-by on the opposite side of the semi-main road, alternatively there are a few spaces in the smaller road to the side.

Hadn't eaten there in a couple of years as we live in the States. Got there early, had a lovely table and great food. I had the braised blade which was soft and full of taste. My husband had a steak. Very good but he wished he had realized he could order a steak sauce option.

We've been coming to this pub for a number of years and always have a good time. It's a small traditional pub and there's a nice log fire in winter.

There is an unusual diverse menu of warm cosy food and some might say exotic.The food is well cooked and presented by the landlord a daily specials board. The Artichoke soup spicy parsnip soup pulled pork and game pie were all delicious. This pub is family run small cosy ,log fires low ceilings -mind your head and they keeps old fashioned pub hours. Though not a beer drinker others agreed that the choice is excellent. The car parking is across the road an outside area to the rear and side. The pricing was spot on too.

We have visited t the H&G; over a number of years for a pre Christmas lunch with local friends but this year found a dramatic drop off in quality. Has it changed hands? Has the chef got bored? Three of us ordered Game pie and it was ~OKay.. Just. The beer was good and the service fine. But prices were restaurant level for pub grub quality. sad to say we will not return. Has it changed hands? The French chef provided high quality results at fair prices. This time it was pub grub food at high prices.

It looks a bit underwhelming from the outside however you get a lovely warm welcome, a great range of beers and excellent food freshly cooked from a long menu with lots of specials, including a really interesting sausage menu.

We went here on a recent Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The quality of food was first class and very reasonably priced. Apart from the menu there is a specials board in the bar and this is not to be missed. There is a very good choice of dishes ranging from steaks , vegetarian, fish game etc. The chef, Jerome, is very accomplished and naturally takes immense pride in his food. There is also a great atmosphere. There is no background music or gaming machines just a buzz of people enjoying a good evening. The log fire in the bar is a real attraction. Booking is pretty much essential at peak times but well worth it.

Visited this pub for the first time and realised what a gem we had been missing!

recommended while visiting the area. Fresh food which was wonderful. not rushed and lovely service. Liked the opportunity to try different ales in smaller glasses.

Découvert totalement par hasard suite à une pause déjeuner sur la route des vacances. Accueil sympathique. Produits de qualité et plats goûteux. Rapport qualité/prix intéressant. Cadre agréable et bucolique. Cerise sur le gâteau : Le chef est français.

Proper local British country pub but with French style cooking and real ale. What else could be better? Good choice on menu with creative sausages and steaks, and all the pies come with proper gravy. Forget the state of the toilets and just enjoy the freshly cooked food and local beers.

Popped in for a family lunch. Place small but very comfortable, just like an old inn complete with open fire. Food, when it came, was good and reasonably priced. Only drawback was that with 2 young children waiting 45 mins for 4 burgers to be cooked was a bit of a challenge.

Nos encontramos con este minúsculo, antiguo pub de paja por casualidad. El interior es como estar en el frente de una casa antigua. El menú es muy diferente con una chispa. Nos sentamos en una acogedora chimenea en un entorno relajado. Nuestra comida era obviamente todos correctamente cocinada desde cero, bien presentado y muy sabroso. Esto era muy diferente a todos los lugareños pub - parecía saber todo el mundo! El único inconveniente es el exterior de tener que cruzar el volúmen de un patio en el invierno no sería divertido. Cuando salimos, un caballero fue emergiendo desde el cubículo de señoras! Dijo que "no podría encontrar el caballeros". Los propietarios tenían obviamente hecho lo mejor para darle alegría a lo que es un exterior muy básicas higiénico - ponga una botella de jabón líquido estaba vacía y la papelera más fluida. Lo siento no puedo dar 5 estrellas como esa experiencia lo que, de otro modo, nulas una visita encantadora.

Hemos estado yendo a la HnG por bastantes años y realmente es sencillamente el mejor pub en Oxfordshire. La comida siempre es impecable y Stacey y Jerome asegúrese siempre de que el acogedor y la hospitalidad es tan buena como se podría esperar.

I met up here with a group of geocaching friends and was looking forward to it because of its reputation for sausages and wasn't disappointed. What a great little place. God ale and fantastic food and well worth several repeat visits. Plus it was lovely for the chef to pop out ad say hello. I suggest you give those chain places amiss and drive the extra couple of miles to visit this place.

Stopped here for lunch having had a look around Woodstock and found most places a bit pretentious and over priced, just though we'd head back towards where we were staying and stop at a nice looking pub. We didn't know it but we really hit the jackpot, sat in the garden in the sun, great menu, lots of standards but a mouth watering array of specials. My wife chose the cod loin baked in pancetta which she found thoroughly delicious and I had the braised steak cottage pie, without doubt the best cottage pie I have ever tasted. Good range of drinks with 'tasters' available for the cask ales, however we only enjoyed a cup of tea and a Diet Coke! If you are in this area do try this pub, you will not be disappointed.

Después de llamar por unos cuantos bares cerca de Blenheim, Jerome y Stacey, eran los únicos que no rechazamos nuestro grupo de más de 20 para el almuerzo. No tenían a nadie más a que ayuden a Dayton y tenía que cuidar de un niño de dos años, pero me las arreglé para hacer una comida absolutamente impecable para todos nosotros. Muy por encima de la comida normal estándar pub en el REINO UNIDO, y bien vale la pena un coche fuera de su camino.

Lovely little pub with wonderful fresh food and a lot of choice. We go there as often as we can - most weeks - to enjoy the ever-changing Specials menu and the friendly locals and staff. Can't rate it highly enough!

Lovely old pub with excellent home cooked food, the Croqu Monsiuer is the best you will taste this side of Le Manche. Plenty of choice of real ales.

I have visited this pub restaurant many times, and they have never produced food that is less than excellent. I love it's unpretentiousness. It balances being a local pub serving very good beer, with dining out. With a French chef/owner, there menu has a French...

Me paré sobre para el almuerzo el sábado aquí y fue encantado por un pub muy tradicional. Que es calentada por una chimenea "rincón y tiene un techo de paja. Las cervezas eran buenas con tres cervezas incluyendo dos locales. Probé la hamburguesa, que era excelente. Ojalá me hubiera ido para el almuerzo, pero por desgracia no tuve tiempo. La pareja corriendo el pub es muy amable.

Mientras Jerome, Stacey y Nate han sido disfrutando de tiempo de calidad bien merecido lejos hemos estado buscando en vano un lugar temporal para suplente. No hay oportunidad, no hay nada igual en el norte de Oxfordshire al CABALLO Y CEPILLADA en términos de bienvenida, comida y cerveza y les estamos muy agradecidos!

My partner, Daughter & I visited this very old, quaint and cosy inn for a spot of Sunday lunch and I have to say the food was just superb. the venue is quite small, so there aren't many covers and you are well advised to book (as we did) at peak/popular times. The business is run by Jerome and Stacey Prigent. He's the French Chef du Patron who clearly knows how to present lovely food, cooked to perfection, using local and fresh ingredients. I happen to chance on a conversation with a regular, who often traveled out from Bicester to eat there and he enthused about the place ahead of my meal arriving and he wasn't wrong. I'm sure you'll like it when you go there for wither lunch of dinner. They have lovely gardens which will be a nice treat in the Summer months.

We decided to go out for lunch with friends, haven't been to this pub for more than 30years, what a lovely surprise it was. It's a cosy pub (although could do with being a bit warmer), service was good and I had the best croque monsieur I have ever eaten, including ones in France. The rest of the party had the pie of the day which was filled with tender beef, a choice of vegetables would have been nice rather than just peas.Will definitely go again.

Jerome always delights. The double duck was exceptional as was my fiancés barramundi... to say I was deeply moved by the chocolate nemesis would be a massive understatement, it blew me away! Book soon and go often.

Great find - nice atmosphere, well kept beer and some of the best faggots I've ever had. My wife really enjoyed her soup too - we'll be back!

As an older couple it never occurred to us to post a review on what is our local restaurant/pub of choice - sorry! Ever since we first discovered the Horse and Groom about 8 years ago we have have been so beguiled by the warmth of welcome and with the food and ale that we have yet to find anywhere else that comes close to their standards! Very highly recommended.

Don't miss one of Jerome's special event nights when you see one advertised. The chicken chasseur and the frangipane dessert were excellent last night. Thanks to everyone at the H&G for making it another great evening. PS the beer is good too :)

Excellent food and guest ales! Possibly the best steak I have eaten. We were helped to feel at home from the moment we came through the door.

Enjoyed our meal at the H&G, my partner had the seared fillet of beef which looked amazing and was huge!! My friend and I opted for the Monkfish which was lovely, and another of our party chose from the varied sausage menu. It is small and cosy inside, with a nice atmosphere and definitely worth a visit.

The food here is always very good, although the service is a little slow when they are very busy - the staff are brilliant, smiley and helpful, it's just the wait which is a little inconvenient. But of course, that's the price you pay for having everything cooked and presented to perfection. Portion sizes seem to get bigger every time we visit. Our foody friends from Australia were very impressed!

We've been visiting the H & G for ages and never made the effort to give them a review, shame on us. It's difficult to praise Jerome, his wife and staff too highly. Jerome is passionate about his food, you may catch him on the odd quiet night sitting planning his next menu, most off it made in house. Pubs like this are what good eating is all about.

We live 40 miles away from this small pub but it is on a route we often travel and is our favourite stopping point. The proprietor and French chef, Jerome, is very friendly and always welcoming. As well as serving a good range of excellent beer and having an suberb menu, there is also a separate sausage menu featuring a wide variety of sausage styles from O'Hagans, the celebrated master of sausage making. Our latest visit was on Wednesday evening when as usual we couldn't resist the sausages although we have also enjoyed various dishes from the main menu on other occasions. I recall that the seafood has been particularly good

Although we live 15 miles away, The Horse and Groom, Caulcott is 'Our Local' and absolutely worth the journey. We are made to feel at home by the Owners, Staff and Locals. A friendly, cosy English Pub stocking a selection of real ales and serving food which compares with the very best in the area. The Owner a Frenchman who is a highly trained Chef, serves a regularly changing menu of beautifully prepared, scrumptious Northern French Cuisine together with good English fayre much locally sourced, together with the best seafood available. He also caters for those who like 'Pub Food' and his home made burgers - 'How would you like it cooked?' - are legendary.If you are nearby or lucky to live nearby, a visit to this Village Pub is a must.

2016 North Oxfordshire Camra Pub of the Year, The Horse & Groom is a sure bet for high quality food and beer. The owner/proprietor is French, and this is reflected in the fusion of British/French cooking, which is always to a high standard. Fish dishes, which are cooked to perfection, with delicious sauces, are my personal favourite, though the French style pork is also excellent. Both the 'Steak Thursday' (weekly) and 'Moules Frites Friday' (monthly) are very popular and excellent value. Staff are friendly and the general ambience pleasant, especially in winter, when the open fire is roaring.

Hi there I am very new to the Heyford area and was exploring pubs to try out.From the outside this pub looks amazing like a real Oxfordshire country pub.When you walk in it felt like walking into a time warp which was nice.The young guy behind the bar couldn't be more polite and helpful.However please don't be fooled by this act.I went this Sunday for lunch and expected at around 1pm to be easily able to order food.How wrong could I bet apparently they had no roasts left.However the South African Chef was rude and questioned me why I hadn't booked like how dare I try and buy food from them as if I was an inconvenience as heaven forbid we had dared to try this pub and their food without letting him know.Needless to say I won't be going here again or recommending his place to any local friends in fact I will be making sure everybody I know hears just how off putting the mannerisms of the chef and how he spoke to me were.In my opinion this pub doesn't deserve customers as it doesn't value or treat them with any kind of respect.Please if you can avoid this pub as there are so many other Oxfordshire pubs where you don't get abused for not booking for food.

Been meaning to come here to eat for a while so took the chance to call in the other week, without booking, for Sunday lunch.Knew we were taking a risk as this is very popular locally, however they fitted us in with no problem, we even got a table by the open log fire - perfect!A pretty good menu was on offer, written up on chalk boards, with something to suit most tastes.We opted for a couple of Sunday Roasts and the venison burger. We were asked how we would like our roast beef and the venison burger cooked - a first for us and we've had Sunday lunches at nearly all of the pubs in the area - very impressed! I must say that the quality of all our meals was excellent, certainly one of the best Sunday lunches we've had in the area. The pub prides itself on using fresh local produce whenever possible, and everything was quite obviously prepared by someone who understands and cares about food. Beers on offer were all from the White Horse Brewery, White Horse Bitter, Village Idiot, and the Christmas seasonal Rudolph the Red Nosed White Horse. Favourite being Rudolph which was excellent, as was Village Idiot which was sampled first. Price of the beers was slightly below the local average.The pub is quite small, the door opening directly into the bar area, with a few tables and bar stools for drinkers, and an open fire within a large inglenook fireplace. A small dining area is off the bar area alongside the fireplace. All very comfortable and welcoming.The toilets might be an issue for some, being outside across an open backyard and not particularly modern.All in, the Horse and Groom successfully combines an excellent food offering and a comfortable place to call in if you just want a drink or two.I would suggest that anyone wanting a meal would be well advised to phone and make a booking to be sure that they can accommodate you, the pub is deservedly popular.

This very unassuming pub has an extraordinary chef who provides copious quantities of delicious and beautifully presented food at very reasonable prices. I've not eaten better anywhere in Oxford or nearby. When we last went we had jugged hare, guinea fowl and venison burger. The meat is always delicious and perfectly and artfully cooked. The chips are incredible. Everything is presented with style. No pretentious little towers of food - just really decent amounts of very high quality food!

I have only eaten here once but that's not surprising as l live in Germany.I am planning to go again as l found the food and the landlord/chef wonderful.The pub is cute and l only wish l could visit regularly.We had the locally sourced sausages which were delicious and were told the chef was thinking of doing French two or three course meals in future. The blackboard food menu looked very enticing to me.Can't wait for a return trip

It's many years since I last called in for lunch - that was on a wintry day and a circular walk from Souldern across to Tusmore and back. This week it was a strange mix of autumnal mists over the old airbase - quite creepy - and glorious sun that was almost mid-summer ...... and as I walked the last half kilometer or so (on the road down from the right of way), my anticipation for a late (2-ish) 'restauration' stop was heightened. Jerome was on his own - it was a Tuesday - and with a couple cyclists who I'd seen earlier in the day, and a party of three, it was not buzzing but quietly people were enjoying the break, According to the cyclists the best chips in Oxfordshire. I didn't go down that route, nor the moules marinieres ..... but instead his soupe aux carrottes et cumin (hot, and properly sieved probably with a mouli) with hot baked bread, followed by another light starter - rillettes de porc with a lovely onion pickle and toast. Washed down with White Horse Bitter, Titanic Steerage and Gun Dog Booze Hound ......... couldn't be bettered!

We had spent the weekend with relatives and they picked the H&G for lunch as it was on our route home to the North. Seven of us ate a selection of Rib-eye, Mixed grill and home made burger. It was busy and mainly larger groups, so we had a small interval before eating to chat etc. some less chilled may suggest slow service but good food should not be rushed. All concerned said how good their food was, my mixed grill was a selection of choice cuts cooked well, not chain pub dark blobs. The dessert selection was limited by our being last to order and some selections sold out, again all were pleased with their choice. Overall a very pleasant place to eat a good meal. My only disappointment is the distance from my home preventing me exploring the sausage menu.

Booked for lunch on Thursday afternoon with a party of 5. As always, the H&G just feels home from home. Lovely food, lovely people. Yummy all round! Thank you Jerome and Stacey Prigent x

This happens to be the nearest pub to where my daughter lives so I have been there a couple of times, but even if it was not I think I'd be keen to become a regular. It's small and cosy, with a friendly clientele, a well-stocked bar, and an excellent variety of freshly cooked food. Last time was Thursday, which was steak night: the steaks were all top quality, reasonably priced, and properly served. I can also recommend the devilled kidneys.

Ate their for a work lunch on Thursday. Food was really delicious - waaaaaaaay better than normal gastrobup fare. I had the cottage pie , and copious quantities of the homemade brown sauce, all delicious and filling. My two colleagues had one of the multitude of special sausage options and the bean burger respectively, both delicious and filling.Owner/chef/host was hospitable, friendly, obviously a great cook and ran things in a very shipshape and smart manner. We've decisive it's our pub of choice now - and go-to location for any working lunches. One great thing is you can choose from the online menu, call and reserve a table, make the order to him - choose a sausage option if uncertain - and tell him when you'll get there and he'll have it ready for you when u arrive!Brilliant place highly recommended.

We eat at the Horse & Groom probably about once every two months - this is my husband,s favorite place to eat. Jerome cooks the best fish - always a nice crispy skin. The menu isn't massive but it changes frequently with the seasons & all meat is sourced locally. There is always something interesting on the menu. The beer (I am told) is well kept. I have yet to have a disappointing visit - keep up the good work Jerome & Stacey

An excellent pub and restaurant. The food is cooked to order and is excellent, there is a good choice on the menu. The Christmas menu has great selections for celiacs. The open fire is very welcoming as is the cosy bar, which serves four great real ales, this pub has been North Oxfordshire pub of the year many times.

Was travelling with parents who visit quite regularly and speak highly of the place, had quite high expectations. Arrived at noon, building was cold and fire hadn't been lit. Used Gents toilet (outside), a bit grubby but not a major problem. Fire was lit shortly after we arrived. I ordered a soft drink, my dad had bitter and my mum ordered a gin and slimline tonic only to be given regular tonic. As a diabetic this didn't impress me. The bitter was good. I ordered one of the many sausages on offer with chips and gravy, but when it came I had been given mashed potato. The meal was OK but the mash was bland and the gravy uninspiring. My father had chips with his meal and I noticed that they were well cooked but from the freezer. The pub itself is lovely and traditional if very small, and the proprietors seemed nice and quite attentive. It's a shame the food wasn't quite up to scratch. All in all I probably wouldn't choose to eat there again.

Went for a meal to the Horse and Groom..... What a real delight. Were a little worried when we arrived as only two chaps in having a beer.....Shown to our table, having checked the blackboard menu. Have to say the fact that there is a limited menu, and no printed version, should have been a clue to the standard of the food.All dishes were of a high standard and delicious. All the other tables filled by the time we were on our main...... Helping with the atmosphere. It was a chilly night and I so wish the fake fire had been real.....The cheese selection was also very good.... As was the beer.Great small pub/ restaurant that I would certainly book again. Really shows how it can be done.... Thank you

A lovely, genuine "olde worlde" surprise! Good food, good beer and friendly staff with a french chef. A delight sitting by the log fire on an autumnal afternoon!

The Horse and Groom is a small thatched country pub traditionally furnished and with some interesting ornaments and seemed newly decorated when we visited. The ladies loo is clean and tidy, the gents was unique with a bird nesting on top of the cistern - this just added to the quirkiness of the whole experience! The food was outstanding - created by Jerome - a menu of 6 choices as well as the standard sausage menu. Dessert was lovely ! . Service was attentive and friendly. We will definitely return.

Heading North from Oxford, checked GPG (2011). I am a Northerner & will not buy the upto date copy. Highly recommended by GPG. Called ahead at 2.05 & was told that (generally) the kitchen closed at 2.00 but that they would look after us. First class service from Jerome (Owner/Chef) & good pub grub. He couldn't have been more helpful. Good ambiance, crazy locals!!!! Will return

A very nice pub WHEN IT IS OPEN. We went there recently for Saturday lunch, only to be told that no food was being served. This is the fourth time in two years that this has happened, and with the price of petrol being what it is, we will no longer be travelling 35 miles only to be disappointed.

Came here for dinner with my sister and husband, it has a lovely atmosphere, decorated with real candles. Food is unusual, very inventive and delicious, excellently cooked, and very friendly service. Highly recommended

Found this little gem in The Good Pub Guide. Excellent lunch stop on our way south and we have come back again and again. The croque monsieur is the best we've ever tasted - and that includes many we've eaten in France! Terrific choice of specialist sausages as well as a good a la carte menu, all at reasonable prices. Jerome, the owner, is a good host and chef

This place is an ordinary old fashioned village pub with a roaring wood fire, serving real ales, but with a little secret.Jerome the French Chef/ owner is a very talented classically trained chef creating well thought out and creative, tasty dishes, good quality ingredients and for what you get, good value.From The interior of the pub which is cosy but old fashioned you may be surprised at the sophisticated food offer, with lots of lovely things chosen from the blackboard.Definitely a hidden gem. Recommended !

We were on a trip down memory lane with my sister and brother-in-law and we stopped over at The Holt Hotel as my brother-in-law ran it many years ago. Before checking in we stopped for lunch at the pub he once owned, and what a lovely little pub it was. A small one bar house with a thatched roof on the edge of a tiny village, the real ales were well kept and went down very easily. There were people sat eating in the garden as it was a beautiful October weekend. The food we ordered was delicious and good value. Nearly everyone there had ordered food and we had to wait quiet a long time for ours to come up. Still it was worth the wait......so much so that we returned there on the Sunday for lunch which was every bit as good as the day before. What a pity this place is not nearer to my home as I would love to have it as a local.

Called at this pub by chance on the way to Cornbury Festival, had a really nice lunch and a pint. The chef produced freshly prepared food and I felt that a return visit for a supper would be on the cards soon.

Celebrated Mother's Day at this pub and despite being a small building was disappointed to see that it was not full. Young welcoming staff with a log fire to greet you but unfortunately where we were sitting at the far end of the pub it was a bit chilly even though there was a radiator and we ate with our coats on, but it was an exceptionally cold day. An excellent choice on the menu. Two in my party had the roast beef and the roast lamb and were actually asked how we wanted the meat cooked. The chef is to be commended. I have never experienced that before but it was delicious and the lamb was served with real mint sauce! Excellent presentation and knocks chain pub food into a cocked hat! Is definitely worth another.