Kings Head

A great proper Cotswold pub. 4 well kept real ales in a cosy traditional low ceilinged bar, good quality locally sourced food, and friendly staff. At its best this summer with tables in the sun at the front and the back as long as you were prepared to share with the resident ducks and chickens. See-saw, swings and plenty of playing space for children and dogs, and a good bar for the adults.

THE KINGS HEAD BLEDINGTON
June 2011

Having visited the Cotswolds over the last 20 years, I can honestly say I have probably imbibed and dined in most of the pubs in that region which are published in this Guide. I can distinctly remember the first time I visited the Kings Head back in 1993, and, being the archetypal English pub on village green complete with duck pond, I was impressed. The atmospheric bar was great for just a drink and the food was seriously on the up as well.
Over the years I call in to see how they are getting on whenever I’m in the Cotswolds, and to note what changes if any have been made. I’m sad to report that these days the Orr-Ewings who own this pub seem rarely there! They have another pub over at Swinbrook which may account for that. I have visited several times and they are always absent. The management of the pub is left in the hands of the inexperienced and the Antipodean waitresses always seem snooty and unfriendly. The service has deteriorated, the food become expensive and they have not developed their menu in the same way as their competitors in the area. On one evening in February, whilst having a meal in the bar, along with several other diners, an influx of local youths invaded the pub, at first coming in on the pretext of using the toilet which meant they had to squeeze through the area where we and others were dining. The Barmaid who it transpired was the Manageress, observed all this without preventing it. Later the youths, who looked no older than 16, returned in twos and threes, leaving the door open so an icy blast of wind could be felt inside. Purchasing crisps and drinks they took them outside, but later, probably due to the cold, they actually all came into the pub, traipsed through the dining area and encamped in the locals bar creating a disturbance. As a result many diners complained to the manageress who looked completely out of her depth and unable to prevent this. She had already phoned the local police, but was incapable of asking them to leave herself! It certainly marred everybody’s evening. Apparently this was a regular occurrence.

More recently I visited and things have not greatly improved. Archie O-E was there on this occasion, but the food is still mediocre and the landlord seems more civil to his locals than to his visitors! Wanting just a drink in the bar, we were discouraged from sitting at one of the tables in case ‘it might be required for dining’. Are they resting on their laurels at the Kings Head?

I've just returned from having dinner with my mother and sister at this pub and in contrast to past visits (I live about 10 miles away in Chipping Norton) I have to say I was sadly unimpressed.

1) The entire pub had been given over to diners making waiting at the bar to be seated an embarressing and crampt affair
2) Service was offhand, we felt processed rather than valued
3) The food - my mother and sister had a pheasant pie and I a Lemon Sole - was at best unremarkable, certainly not worth the c. £25 per head (2 courses) price tag
On my way home I found myself wondering if the management had changed.

In conclusion and with regret because the location on the village green is lovely, I have to say I'll not be returning any time soon. The area has lots of fantastic dining pubs vying for attention - this one needed to try a lot harder.

Hi,
My wife and I have just returned from a wonderful long week-end at the King's Head, Bledington. What a wonderful pub! It ticks all boxes; Appearance; Quality of rooms; Excellent Food; Wine Selection & Beers; efficient, friendly service. We have been to very many recommended pubs throughout the country and we find this to be the very best of all. The minute one arrives and smells the inglenook fire and sees the large selection of real ales available, one is immediately at ease. A glance at the Daily specials board offers interesting fare.

The rooms in the courtyard block are decorated to a high quality and are spacious. The food served is restaurant quality, typically offerring Pigeon Breast Salad for starters, Fillet of Sea Bass on crushed potatoes; etc.

It is the archtypical country pub, really perfect and in our opinion warrants Beer, wine, Stay, food awards and a star fo rbest pub we know, anywhere!