We are staying in the Cotswold area for five nights mid-August and therefore want to book at least Friday and Saturday night dinner reservations for this busy period. We are staying in Stow in the Wold but have a car so we can drive to any suggestions provided elsewhere. We are seeking a quintessential Cotswolds beautiful setting outside such as on the river, a garden terrace, overlooking a valley, etc. Can anyone make suggestions please? Thank you!
The Royal Oak in Burford….maybe a 20 minute drive.
Firstly, most places do not take reservations for outside tables due to unpredictable weather. These tables are almost always first come, first served. You can imagine the issues if a restaurant booked up all its outdoor tables and then it rains.
In the Cotswolds most places you can eat are pubs. Some of these serve high quality, expensive food and are reviewed in the national press etc. Near Stow is the Kingham Plough which is a great example of the high end country pub. There are also hotel restaurants that you could consider. There aren’t many stand alone restaurants.
If you need to pick up picnic supplies, check out Cotswold Baguettes. Their sandwiches were delicious, and were very inexpensive as well.
We ate here the first night in the Cotswolds:
https://www.thefleeceinn.co.uk/
It was so good, we went back the next night. And we still talk about it, eight months later.
following on from the previous poster - Mary Ellen - I think she will agree with me that Nigel - the landlord, not me - runs a pretty neat ship. If you want outdoors you can be under the trees or even in a horsebox. How many folks have put a table in a horsebox? Provides shade and protection from the weather too.
They publish a monthly calendar and you can plan to be there for live music or even Morris Dancers.
Parking can be tight so prepare to be there a few minutes early as you may need to walk a little.
Even if you do eat outside, go in and have a look. Owned by the National Trust, it is a gem.