Sturdy's Castle in Cherwell

Fish and roast overcooked and the Chicken Supreme served with gravy and not Supreme sauce! The waiter didn’t understand what cask ale was so in the end we had to leave the table and get it ourselves from the bar!

Stayed with friends for 1 night. Good value, excellent restaurant for evening meal, breakfast ok, rooms clean. Seems very popular for evening meal.

Great little hotel ,bar and restaurant. Rooms clean and warm,with a good hot shower. Staff friendly and accommodating. The hotel is on a busy main road but once inside the bar and restaurant are quiet and peaceful. We had a Sunday roast which was delicious and filling. On the evening we all opted for the Indian menu. You won’t be disappointed,this was without a doubt one of the best Indian meals we have ever had. The staff explained that it isn’t like an Indian restaurant experience where some of the food is overly hot but instead the chef has gone for the flavour extravaganza,and she wasn’t wrong. This is proper authentic Indian food,why don’t more restaurants serve food like this. 10 out of 10 to the chef👌 For breakfast we had the full English which uses what looked like local produce,sausages,bacon,egg,mushroom with beans and hash brown and toast. Very tasty and filling. Would highly recommend sturdys castle to any one. Well done to all involved 👍

Really lovely overnight stay for Blenheim horse trials. Staff on reception couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful. Easy check in. Clean rooms, clean bathroom. Comfy bed. Everything in the room we needed. We were leaving before breakfast is served so we were offered a takeaway option which was lovely. We had dinner in the restaurant on the evening and the food was absolutely delicious Will definitely be staying again

We went to try the Indian cuisine mainly. It was quite good although some meals were slightly similar and felt a bit repetitive. Will likely be back to check out the English cuisine.

We booked in at Sturdys castle for the night, following a funeral. They provided the wake, which was pretty much perfect. We then stayed the night. I can only say that the staff couldn't do enough to help. The room was fine, clean with tea, coffee etc. Breakfast was spot on. It was great value for money

Overnight stay with dinner and breakfast. Everywhere was clean and the reception and dinner staff excellent. The food at dinner was from the Krishna's Indian menu and was delicious as was the draft beer. Room good size and clean but only one bath towel and hand towel and we asked for extra tea bags which were promised but never arrived. Breakfast which we had to pre order the night befors was a little disappointing and tasted like it had spent too long under a heat lamp after cooking completed. However overall it represented fair value.

Lovely food and excellent service. Good options for those that want traditional pub grub and those who was some delicious Indian food with generous portions. Great experience and will definitely be back

Freddie and I stumbled across this place on route from Hastings to Northbridge on Booking.com What a wonderful surprise, a beautiful country property with excellent spacious room , spotlessly clean and excellent parking During our brief stay we both enjoyed a wonderful pre ordered breakfast Obviously freshly prepared as our scrambled eggs where soft and delicious as opposed to over cooked and rubbery We will definitely return hopefully with enough time to experience the restaurant Excellent value at £75 per night B&B Highly Recommend

Always visited here with family so thought we will pay a visit since it has changed hands, Was pleasantly surprised nice to have a choice of two menu's Staff are so welcoming and helpful, food was very nice great value for money I'd recommend a visit here Would definitely return

Tried out the new Indian menu. It was delicious! Starters were tasty and generous size. Mains were really good. Staff were very friendly and attentive. Service was quick. A gem! We will be back. Thank you.

We stayed here for 2 nights and it was amazing. So clean, comfortable and in a great location to get out and about. We had food in the restaurant one night and it was really nice and not too expensive. Will definitely go back again.

Went to Sturdy’s for my Mum’s birthday & was not disappointed. The food was amazing, the decor was amazing, it was Valentines too which is also my Mum’s birthday & had lovely decorations on the table. Just got sat down & was presented with a rose such a lovely touch. Would like to say a big thanks to Jacob who looked after us unbelievably well. Will definitely be going back

Absolutely spot on , can't fault it from start to finish. First time there for many years and it's so much improved. Will definitely be back. Food and service is very good.

Nice place for drinks Friendly staff Terrible food! Burger was chewy and cold and recooked. Potato was very crispy but raw inside. Chicken burger was very burnt. Very disappointed with the food used to be a lovely pub

Six of the girls came for dinner. Well what a lovely place, great friendly staff and the food was awesome I totally recommend the chicken biriani We will be back as we all had Indian food and want to try your roast dinners

We were really looking forward to sampling the new Indian cuisine that we'd heard Sturdy's had started offering. Sad to say that it didn't meet expectations. It really was very average. We were left feeling we wish we hadn't bothered. It seemed as though the dish had simply been microwaved. We would normally avoid Indian cuisine unless from a an actual Indian restaurant, and made an exception given that we'd seen the reviews talking about the chef, Krishna Negi, a Michelin award winning chef. So where was the great food that we'd heard about? I very much doubt Krishna Negi had much to do with our food sadly...

Those of you with a keen eye for marketing spiel (read: bulls**t) may spot that whilst the menu heavily implies it, the much-vaunted Michelin bib gourmand Indian chef Krishnapal Negi is not in fact the chef here (his restaurant is in Rutland). I would guess he has been paid for the use of his name and its association with good Indian food but perhaps the food is sent from his kitchen up North. The curries we had were incredibly average; not terrible, just like a supermarket ready-meal curry - comparable to your local ordinary British Indian restaurant, but not quite as good and a little less for your money. I would recommend circumspection in trusting any farts the following day if you do choose to dine here, as I came perilously close to soiling my undercrackers.

What a wonderful experience. It’s unusual to see a restauranr that serves both English food and Indian food. My goodness this works amazingly well. I have to say that my chicken tikka was probably the best that I have ever had in England. We were a group of seven, and everyone loved their food. Service was amazing, nothing was too much trouble for our waitress and we probably lingered in the restaurant for too long, but there was no hassle. Also amazing that they have a lift for the disabled. Can’t wait to go back!!

Our room is beautiful & very comfortable, we slept like babies last night. We’ve eaten umpteen Sunday roasts (beef, chicken & turkey), all utterly delicious; we’ve had chilli jackets, cheese beans & ham, gammon many times & tonight we had the WOW!! - it wasn’t even on the curry menu but we asked for chicken tikka masala, hands down the best mango & mint chutneys, tikka & rice we have ever had. Beats any Ruby house hands down. Absolutely delicious. Thank you

I had the best Indian I’ve ever eaten, the food was incredible! Our waitress Emily was fantastic, she was professional and very knowledgable about the menu and able to offer advice.

Been a big fan of Sturdy's over the years and the recent take over has not disappointed in any way. Can still get a good selection of local dishes, but with the bonus of a few very tasty Indian dishes that can be mixed and...

Just arrived home from a one night stay at Sturdys Castle, I chose this hotel because of its proximity to Bleinham Palace which was perfect. It was absolutely freezing when we arrived with our friends, but our welcome was warming,efficient, super helpful lovely young lady....

Disappointed. Like many others,I used to visit the Spud Pub frequently in years gone by and I was looking forward to seeing if anything had changed. Building is still exactly the same but the food certainly is not.Luke warm ,fairly hard jacket potato with shrimps...

Very poor and overpriced for a cheap microwave meal My fish was inedible , supposed to be cod , however tasted like coley to me with lots of grey specks in it , whatever it was I suspect it had been in the freezer for...

Stayed for one night and it was absolutely lovely. Rooms could do with some updating but that’s the only downside. Food and service was amazing. We met some lovely locals who gave us advice on the area. Overall worth the price

Highly recommend Sturdy’s Castle, delicious home cooked meals, excellent service, friendly staff and the rooms are great too

I went there with a friend to try out the Indian menu. We both love Indian food and I can honestly say it’s the best we’ve ever had.. the service was excellent. I very highly recommend..

Started off ok with a friendly waitress taking our drinks order, but that’s as good as it got. Meals took forever to come, despite it being very quiet and the meals being relatively basic. Had to return 2 of the 6 meals as they were...

The food here is so good great menu choice great staff great tasting food we also stayed at the hotel on site Set out like a motel at the rear comfy bed great shower

Two of our meals had to be replaced. All batter no fish. The gammon was dried out & dark in colour on one meal and the sausages were black on the other. The fifth meal of fish & chips was left on the plate. The...

Treated the family to lunch .. kids meals was basic but expected for the price , myself and family member had jacket spud each side salad (lettuce was just slop ! ) jackets weren’t hot Luke warm at best .. mentioned to staff and no...

Great presentation but why would you put cold toppings on a hot jacket potato cold shrimp or cold ham an cold cheese topping bad idea

Stayed for one night as part of a large, mixed age group attending a wedding locally. Clean room, good breakfast, attentive friendly staff who were so helpful. Could not ask for more and would certainly recommend.

Ordered the 2 for £15 meals we both had egg jam and chips mins came with a big grey hair, just 2 slices of greyish looking ham with a fried egg on top and chips no presentation, Would I eat here again not really

We stayed at Sturdys for 1 night. The room was a really good size and had everything we needed for a night's stay. The pub and restaurant are lovely and our breakfast which was cooked to order was fantastic. The staff are all really friendly and helpful. The young lady that checked us in was lovely and couldn't do enough for us. Would definitely go back.

Wasn’t happy sorry.. we walked in last night 09/04/23 and nobody about!!! No one to serve us for a drink nobody.. we waited but still no one so we walked out and went to Woodstock for a fabulous meal.

Usually find that lunch on a Monday anywhere tends to be hit and miss but full credit here everything was lovely. The waitresses that smiled through to delicious starters, mains and desserts. The chef had no way of knowing he was serving 3 other chefs but kudos to him- wonderful ! Shall I get picky in the small print? New potatoes very slightly overdone and custard , freshly made on a trifle not set hard haha- but boy that’s picking ! Go give it the once es over yourselves -.It’s well worth the effort anx great value

Staying at Study’s Castle was so peaceful and comfortable. We experienced a warm relaxing atmosphere the staff were so friendly, bubbly and lots of warm smiles they could not do enough to accommodate all our needs. We only wished we could of stayed longer. The...

We popped in for lunch on a Tuesday about 1pm, we were shown to the dog friendly area, drinks were reasonably priced had 2 menus there was a 2 for 1 deal, I had cod and chips my partner had the scampi and chips. Both...

What a lovely place in the country side. We attended dinner here once again and it was the best food we’ve had for a while, the members of staff exceeded our expectations and went above and beyond. Everyone was lovely and friendly. The food was...

We held our sports club's Christmas Party at Sturdy's Castle last night and we can't recommend it highly enough. There were menu choices to suit every taste; the service was excellent; and the atmosphere and seasonal decorations got everyone in the festive mood. Charna was...

Stayed here as it’s close to Blenheim Palace it was really nice clean rooms friendly staff breakfast was brilliant thanks for making our stay enjoyable definitely be back 👍🏻

The Hotel is lovely. Rooms large and come with iron and ironing board hairdryer .Food excellent as were the staff. Room cleaned every day. Bar and restaurant was good .

I booked a table for 7 people, including a 5 and 3 year old for a birthday celebration meal. Having used Sturdys for years (from when it was a 'spud pub') and more recently for a wake, we were looking forward to a pleasant early...

Just went to watch the fireworks and was a bit hungry on the way home, And what a perfect place to stop! Study’s castle was full with lovely staff. The meal was just what anyone could imagine, full of flavour. I would recommend to many...

We’ve used the restaurant many times in the past and have always enjoyed good food and good service but tonight was well off, we had booked a large table for a family gathering, the first food out was the homemade soup but we found a...

We had spotted this place as we were driving to Woodstock so decided to return for lunch. Although it was busy we were offered a perfect table for two beside the window. The staff were very friendly and the food was excellent. We would highly...

Nice accommodation and food, lovely service. Very clean. We had a comfortable stay and a delicious breakfast included. Thank you.

Needed somewhere in the area to meet up with family Has plenty of car parking space and we did make a lunchtime reservation All tables were laid for eating so there did not seem to be anywhere just to sit and have a drink Food...

Pleasant, clean room with helpful, friendly staff. A good breakfast and excellent value for money. If we’re ever back in the area we would stay again.

I chose this Hotel for a base to visit , Oxford Bicester and The Rollright Stones. I also visited Blenheim Palace for a Concert and not arriving back till after Midnight I was grateful the rooms are in a Motel style block behind the historic...

I had steak but as a large party we ordered a wide variety of things from the menu and no one had any problems. Everything lovely. Staff were very pleasant and helpful.

We had a group of 14 athletes and 2 Staff stay here for 2 nights and three days. The staff from the initial booking enquiry excelled in their warm manner and care of our experience. There was fabulous attention to detail with the young lady...

Called in to Sturdys on way back from Oxford as we have done many times. I have lots of really lovely childhood memories of meals with my dad here. I had jacket potato ( what else do you have in the original Oxfordshire Spud Pub...

Stayed 1 night dinner bed and breakfast.Room was nice,evening meals were lovely.I had gammon and my wife had the lamb balti.Both were tasty and large portions. Staff were lovely,would definitely stay here again.

Rather disappointing food,mostly microwaved and not very appetizing. I ordered chilli which was very dry looking and almost tasteless.It was served with rice that looked dry and something that was supposed to be garlic bread. Such a shame as this was a much looked forward...

First time we visited Sturdys Castle Hotel,we looked at trip advisor reviews before we booked and we weren't disappointed.We were having a short break with some friends and this hotel was conveniently situated for both couples.We found our rooms had everything we needed and were...

We spent two nights here in January, excellent location for bus into Oxford and great breakfast. The staff were really helpful - rooms are ok, clean bright etc ideal if you are using has a base.. would highly recommend

Service here has always been 100% here-staff are very very friendly and nothing is too much bother for them. Been coming here for years either on my own or with friends and pub has always been very pleasant to visit for a delightful meal. Thank...

I think it is the staff that make this restaurant very good! They are friendly, efficient, accommodating and make all feel welcome. The food isn't bad either, it may not be fine dining, but someone in the kitchen cares about what comes out.

We had a fantastic time . Staff were exceptional nothing too much trouble . Always had time to speak to you . Room was lovely everything you need . Ironing board iron hair dryer toiletries. Food in the restaurant was good quality and value. Breakfast...

Used to eat here 30 years ago. The potato pub. Loaded jacket potatoes. Lots of changes but lots the same we remembered. Good proper beer. Ordered a jacket potato. Good, but not very hot.

Great staff with excellent customer service.! Good food with big portions very reasonably priced Lovely room and en-suite and a great breakfast to finish it all off. The poached eggs on my Eggs Benedict were perfect.! Top drawer..!

A really pleasant stay en route home from West Wales. Lovely room with Sky tv, chairs, water, tea and coffee facilities. Robes and slippers. I would definitely recommend

Nice room away from the road, very helpful staff especially as we arrived just after the restaurant closed but they managed to get us some dinner. Excellent breakfast

Really loved our stay at this little hidden gem. The owner David was lovely and pleasant. Charna was lovely very attentive and bubbly. Dena also always checking everything was OK. Food excellent and plentiful. Thanks guys for a lovely few days. Hopefully be back one...

I live near Sturdy's Castle and always have a great welcome as does my Border Collie Loki. Popped in today after a long walk with my dog Loki and he got a dog Ice cream as a treat which he really loved. Thanks to Charna...

Stayed local to here recently and stopped by for evening meal with friends. Ordered 3 x lamb curries and one chicken Caesar salad. Ample portions, very tasty, great value. We all enjoyed the food and couldn't fault it. Would highly recommend the food and friendly...

We went for a Sunday roast and were very disappointed with the frozen vegetables and new potatoes rather than traditional roast potatoes.

Friendly and attentive staff. Play area perfect for keeping our 3 year old grandson occupied. Food was just right - good portions. Will definitely be back!

Enjoyed excellent breakfasts and dinners. The bed was very comfortable and bedding very high standard, bathroom totally refurnished. The welcome from ALL the staff was friendly and helpful. It was a pleasure to find this non-chain inn with a wonderful relaxed feeling, certainly will return...

I came across sturdys castle by chance on Google, booked for a night away with the wife for our anniversary. We booked for dinner bed and breakfast, food on the evening and breakfast in the morning was fantastic couldn't fault it at all. Room was...

A perfect night away. The staff went above and beyond to cater for the fact we are gluten intolerant there was plenty of choice on the menu and they also provided excellent information in regards to any items that could be be modified to be...

Husband and I decided to visit for lunch and the weather was nice enough so we sat outside. As it was a week day they were offering 2 for 1 on a selection of main meals. I had fish and chips and hubby ham, egg...

Arrived on time . Seated after a bit of confusion and then waited over an hour for our main meal . When it came the 2 beef rib meals didn't look that appetising (no leeks available either) and to be honest one was inedible .no...

Oh wow... what a find!! We booked the hotel as it was near Bicester Village.. more on that at the end. The manager is amazing, really well organised and she and her team were so friendly. Our room was clean and comfortable with a really...

Portions are very big. Maybe a bit too big. Roast dinner was plenty big enough for 2 people. Friendly staff.

Really impressed with the quality of food at Sturdy’s whilst we had an overnight stay here. Good service and a lovely meal. Would definitely recommend eating here if you are staying at the Hotel.

We came to visit during covid for the purpose of an interview. From the second we entered reception we were made to feel extremely welcome. Breafast was brought to the room. A great breakfast. Not one speck of grease. Poached eggs perfect. The room was...

We had dinner in the restaurant which was delicious and breakfast the following morning. I had a massive mixed grill which was very nice and the restaurant was lovely and cosy. All the staff were really friendly and we ended up having a good chat...

Just had a Christmas lunch and it was fantastic, definitely recommend this pup x They even gave me a takeaway Christmas lunch for my husband who could not attend.

Booked this hotel as a short shopping break to Bicester Village. What can I say, it was brilliant. The staff we encountered were all exceptional, especially the front of house lady. They all went out of their way to cater for our every need. The...

Good food, decent size menu for the current restrictions. Not overly priced either, amazing desserts.

We really enjoyed our two night stay. Rooms were very clean and warm. Great showers and constant hot water. Highlight was the magnificent breakfast - huge and excellent value for money. Staff kind and helpful

Two young ladies served us a roast and a minted lamb casserole. Food was excellent and the service was just right. I would thoroughly recommend this excellent establishment.

The team at Sturdy's Castle were fantastic. One of our party is Vegan and they really went above and beyond to provide great meal choices. We will definitely be returning.

This hotel is a pleasant one and the hotel staff were great. I came with friends (whom I have bubbled with). Their room was refurbished and mine was not. Theirs was good, but mine reminded me of days long ago when I stayed at basic motels in the States. I do feel that if a room has not been refurbished, it should be offered at a slightly lower rate than ones that have been. The bed was fine, the water was hot but it all felt a bit tatty. The Covid measures were good. The breakfast was good value.

Friendly, good food and great service. The room was bigger than I expected and was very comfortable.

Friendly pub/restaurant that looks after its locals despite being a hotel Happy to go in on my own despite being an older lady

Good wholesome food at competitive prices with nice friendly staff and a varied menu Worth a stop any night

Stayed here last weekend to visit Oxford and surrounding area. Room basic but comfortable. Location excellent. Food good and staff exceptional.

Superb venue with outstanding staff and delicious food. I've been Sturdys Castle a number of times, each being a pleasant visit. Thank you to all staff for your hospitality. Jen what a bubbly personality, thank you for looking after us whilst we dined. Thank you to all staff.

Lovely Sunday lunch, big portion sizex all well cooked and nicely hot. The staff are friendly and very attentive all in all a good meal

Came over with friends to meet up before the holiday period starts. I Had a jacket potato with tuna and cheese. It was huge and very filling, I tried but could not finish it all. My friends had the lamb curry special it was delicious and was definitely made fresh. Staff were amazing as always! Will be back in two weeks for our Christmas lunch.

Booked a table for 4 to have lunchat 12:00. Turned up at quarter to on a rainy Sunday to find the doors locked and no signs of life, despite it being a hotel & restaurant. Rang the bell - no response - called reception who eventually picked up but couldn’t let us in until the manager arrived with the keys :( which she did at 12 to be fair. I expressed my disappointment about the wait but by then we had stood outside for 15 minutes and had no desire to sit down for lunch at a place that is run like the a branch of the GPO in 1973. Left and had a lovely carvery at the Jolly Boatman instead :)

This used to be a favourite haunt for me and my family but the standards have taken a turn for the worse! My meal of seafood delight with pilau rice was ok but the other two members of my party stuck with good old favourite jacket potatoes which this place was renowned for. When they came it was blatantly obvious that they had been cooked the day before and reheated as the potato skins were charred and inedible. We will not be rushing back here that is for sure. I also had to knock on the kitchen door to get the attention of someone to pay my bill.

Met friends, this was half way point. I order a meal with new potatoes, the meal came out and I cut into the potatoes and they smelt strange, tasted them and they were absolutely disgusting! I called the waitress over and advised her of this, she asked if these could be replaced and I said no thank you I will have a salad. After meal was finished no apologies for the potatoes. Then we wanted to pay no member of staff around so my friend had to go upstairs to the bar area and ask if we could pay. Again we had to chase to pay the bill. No good bye when we left - will never go back again such a shame!

Lots to choose from on the menu, starters, main courses and puddings. Food well cooked and nicely presented. Attentive, friendly staff that all added to a lovely atmpsphere in which to eat.

Went last Sunday with my brother and sister-in-law. Easy access for my brother's electric wheelchair. Very roomy interior so it wasn't difficult to position my brother at the table. My sister-in-law didn't have any of her usual trouble of finding something to eat that was gluten-free. The meals were generous and very nicely cooked. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit there and would go there again.