Tag: UK

A Taste of the Cotswolds: Our Breakfast Experience at The Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn is a charming 15th-century inn tucked away on a quiet corner of Sheep Street in the beautiful historic market town of Burford. With its honey-colored Cotswold stone walls, low wooden beams, and centuries-old character, it is exactly what you imagine a traditional English inn to be—warm, cozy, and full of history. The inn also has a stunning courtyard and walled garden, creating a beautiful setting for al fresco dining on warmer days.

We stayed here for one night, and it was the perfect place to experience the quiet charm of the Cotswolds.

Breakfast was a lovely start to the morning. There was a small buffet with juice, croissants, and yogurt, while hot dishes were cooked to order from the menu. The inn uses St. Ewe’s award-winning free-range eggs, which were featured in several dishes. The breakfast menu wasn’t extensive, but every dish felt thoughtfully put together, proving that a smaller menu can often mean greater attention to quality.

We ordered the Full Healthy, which featured Porter smoked salmon, smashed avocado, perfectly poached St. Ewe’s eggs, and toasted sourdough. It was fresh, light, and satisfying, with the rich smoked salmon pairing beautifully with the creamy avocado and runny egg yolks.

The Vegetarian Breakfast was equally enjoyable, with St. Ewe’s eggs, a veggie sausage, crispy hash browns, vine-roasted tomatoes, avocado, flat mushrooms, baked beans, and toasted Wildfarmed sourdough. It was colourful, hearty, and packed with flavour without feeling overly heavy.

The standout savoury dish was the Red Pepper Shakshuka served with preserved lemon salsa verde and sourdough toast. The tomato and pepper sauce had wonderful depth of flavour, rich and gently spiced, while the preserved lemon salsa verde added a bright, citrusy freshness that lifted the entire dish.

Of course, we couldn’t resist trying something sweet as well.

We tried the Banana Bread with whipped Illy espresso mascarpone and the Crème Brûlée French Toast with seasonal berries. The Banana Bread came with whipped Illy espresso mascarpone, adding a subtle coffee flavour that complemented the sweetness of the banana without overpowering it. The French toast was soft, fluffy, and custardy inside, with beautifully caramelised crispy edges and a lovely hint of vanilla.

Overall, The Lamb Inn was a delightful stay. Beyond its historic charm and beautiful garden setting, it offered a warm atmosphere and a breakfast that showed real care in both ingredients and preparation.

The Lamb Inn

Sheep St, Burford OX18 4LR, United Kingdom

Turf Tavern: A Historic Oxford Pub Hidden Down a Secret Passageway

Dating back to 1381, Turf Tavern is one of Oxford’s most famous historic pubs. Hidden away down the narrow St Helen’s Passage, just beyond the Hertford Bridge, finding it feels like discovering a secret. Walking through the narrow alleyway adds a sense of mystery and adventure.

We visited during dinner time, and the place was buzzing. The outdoor seating area was completely packed, with people enjoying drinks and meals in the courtyard. Inside, the décor was exactly what you’d expect from a traditional English pub—warm, rustic, and full of character. There was plenty of indoor seating as well as the outdoor area.

The menu features classic British pub fare, including Fish & Chips, Sausage & Mash, and burgers. There’s also a Sunday Roast menu available on Sundays, along with a gluten-free menu.

Ordering is straightforward—you place both your food and drink orders at the bar. Drinks are served immediately, while the food is brought to your table.

We ordered the Sea Bream, Mussels & Chorizo, served with a creamy white wine and garlic sauce alongside warm ciabatta. The sea bream was fresh, tender, and well-cooked, while the sauce was creamy, flavorful, and perfect with the bread.

The Chicken & Bacon Burger came with a breaded chicken breast, melted West Country mature cheddar, smoked streaky bacon, chipotle mayo, seasoned fries, onion rings, and a gherkin. The burger was decent, although the chicken was slightly tough and chewy. The fries, however, were excellent—crispy and well-seasoned.

The Fish & Chips was decent, with a nice crunch from the batter and flavorful mushy peas. Unfortunately, the batter was a little over-fried, and the fish was slightly dry, with some parts being tougher than expected.

Overall, while the food was a little inconsistent, visiting Turf Tavern was still a memorable experience. English pubs are such an important part of British culture, and sitting in this historic pub tucked away in a hidden corner of Oxford had a certain charm that made the visit worthwhile.

Turn Tavern

4 Bath Pl, Oxford OX1 3SU, United Kingdom

Breakfast in the Harry Potter-Inspired Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford

Anyone who has watched the Harry Potter films will immediately recognize the Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford, which famously served as the inspiration for Hogwarts’ iconic dining hall.

Only guests staying at Christ Church’s B&B accommodation have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the Great Hall, making it one of the most unique ways to experience this historic space.

Originally built in the 1520s as part of the college founded by Henry VIII, the hall is steeped in history. Before entering, you’ll climb the elegant stone staircase with its beautiful fan-vaulted ceiling. Walking through the doorway into the Great Hall is breathtaking. The magnificent hammerbeam roof, towering stained-glass windows, and walls lined with portraits of notable members of the university make it feel as though you’ve stepped back several centuries.

Breakfast itself was a classic English buffet with cereals, fresh fruit, toast and croissants, coffee and tea, along with hot items including baked beans, sausages, ham, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, and porridge. The food itself was decent, but that hardly mattered.

The real highlight was the setting. Sitting in one of Oxford’s most historic dining halls, surrounded by centuries of history and the atmosphere that inspired Hogwarts, transformed an ordinary breakfast into something truly memorable. It wasn’t so much about the food—it was about the experience. For any Harry Potter fan or history lover, it felt nothing short of magical.

The Great Dining Hall

Oxford OX1 1DP, United Kingdom