The Shepherd’s Hut

Situated in Ewelme, a pretty patch of rural Oxfordshire on the edge of the Chilterns, The Shepherd’s Hut is within easy reach of Wallingford and provides a perfect pit-stop for those passing through. The venue itself is cosy and traditional, oozing the charm of a well-loved village pub. After receiving a warm welcome and grabbing your favourite tipple from the bar, you might choose to settle down by the roaring fire and soak up the ambience with friends or family, or, during the warmer months, enjoy the sunshine outside in the picturesque beer garden.

A great selection of wine caters to all tastes, while the array of beer on offer is sure to please discerning palates and budding beer-buffs alike. Indeed, the drinks menu has been carefully curated to complement its food counterpart and there’s something for everyone here: senior citizens are offered a great set menu and kids can choose from their own selection. Each meal served up is made fresh to order and crafted with the finest local produce – a real labour of love by the pub’s dedicated chefs and by proprietor Gary Flux.

You might start with salt and pepper calamari, served with lemon mayo, chilli dressing and a pinch of dill, or perhaps you’ll be tempted by the belly pork with rhubarb and yoghurt dressing and watercress salad – a revelatory flavour combination. Move on to the selection of mains, which include classic beer-battered fish and chips, a sumptuous Cajun-spiced beefburger with lashings of melted blue cheese, and homemade lamb kebab. The veggie spinach, sweet potato and chickpea curry is delicate and moreish, while the slow-roasted beef short rib with bacon, baby onions, sautéed cabbage and a choice of potatoes is a testament to the chef’s skilful handling of ingredients.

On Sundays, The Shepherd’s Hut also serves up a highly popular roast, offering tender, aged topside of beef as well as up to two other meat options and all the traditional trimmings. Vegetarians can also join in, with a vegetarian dish of the day, and there’s a tempting range of indulgent desserts for those who have any room left.