Take a look at the fundamental guidebook to eating and drinkin in the British countryside

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THE FOX INN
A skilfully-managed tavern with a lovely garden and a food offering that is hardly ever short of top notch. If you have time, request directions to the XII century St Nicholas Church, a brisk hike away. It's a magical, secret location with medieval wall art that was truly tucked away for quite a few years in a wood.

THE FOX AND HOUNDS
You simply won't track down a cosier gastropub than this. The watering hole is a cubby hole surrounded by preserved hops, and it serves a vast variety of local beer. The food is filling but it's the experience of a normal hamlet bar that is the pull.

BIBURY COURT HOTEL
In this 15th century estate located on the outskirts of quaint community Bibury, a short car drive from Cirencester, the Bibury Court cafe has won a number of awards and honours for its revolutionary fine menu. Supervising chef Anthony Ely was brought in from The Clarence Hotel in Dublin (notoriously held by Bono and The Edge from U2) in the mid noughties, and supervises courses such as linguini with oxtail, red wine and root vegetables, and crisp Bibury trout with ragout of wild Fowey mussels, herb gnocchi and butternut squash. Bibury Court is also a hotel.

THE OLD BUTCHER'S
Formerly a Butcher's, which closed down after a Tesco superstore arrived, it's at this point one of the most trendy bistros in the area.

THE KINGHAM PLOUGH
Managed by Emily Watkins, previously of Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck. Watkins cooks up effortless recipes of regional food made with remarkable detail. Check out the crispy, breaded duck egg or the Hereford beef. They also put fresh horseradish root into their cocktails and supply snacks for your dog for one pound.

THE WILD RABBIT
Lady Carole Bamford's brand new tavern with accommodation, in quiet Kingham, is quite naturally the gourmet sibling of her spa at Daylesford. As you go inside, you notice pale exposed-brick walls, soft flagstones and a light wood bar. Behind the bar, Oxford University pupils are pulling local beers. Mismatched furnishings are placed around a fireplace, or looking over on to the village.

THE ROYAL WELL TAVERN
Chef Humphrey Fletcher has previously been employed with the River Café and Kensington Place and makes fantastic braised sea trout with samphire and brown shrimp and steak frites. Manager Sam Pearman spent his formative years in Gloucestershire and used to work with Langan's Brasserie in the capital. He just recently purchased The Wheatsheaf in the British countryside and the indications are optimistic.

WHATLEY MANOR
A Relais & Chateaux member, Whatley Manor has 2 eateries - Swiss brasserie Le Mazot and Michelin-awarded The Dining Room. Both are run by head chef Martin Burge, who has been awarded some honours for his innovative take on timeless French gourmand food. Unsurprisingly, Burge worked at both Pied a Terre and Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons before moving to Wiltshire. Whatley Manor is also a hotelan .