A Cotswold gastropub has achieved national recognition after being named as the third best in the UK.

The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, near Stow-on-the-Wold, has been awarded a top three spot by Big 7 Travel, a global travel site that has recently released this year’s version of its The 50 Best Gastropubs In The UK list.

In their summary comment, the Big 7 wrote: “The incredible food at The Wild Rabbit all starts with a huge emphasis on sourcing the best ingredients from its own market garden at Daylesford farm.

“Once that has been done, the dishes they serve to are contemporary and yet exactly what you want in terms of comfort food. The Wild Rabbit is a proper British inn, where you can eat, drink and sleep.

“Must-eats include the South Devon beef ribeye with Bledington Blue cheese and pickled walnut, with one of the tempting seasonal soufflés for dessert.”

It’s the second year running that Big 7 has compiled its list of the nation's best gastropubs.

The ranking is decided by a combination of reader’s suggestions throughout the year, online user reviews, and of course the opinions of Big 7 Travel’s editorial team.

Situated in the village of Kingham, The Wild Rabbit boasts a host of national stars as neighbours.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron has a nearby cottage in the Cotswolds, while Blur bassist Alex James also has a 200 acre mansion just a stone’s throw away.

Jeremy Clarkson’s controversial Diddly Squat farm is also not far from the top-rated gastropub.

The former Top Gear star can be found in the bordering village of Chadlington.

In keeping with the local cliental, The Wild Rabbit has gained notoriety for consistently serving celebrity standard nosh.

The gastropub has made a name for itself by championing high-quality British produce that utilises seasonal ingredients to bring a ‘contemporary twist to Cotswolds fine dining’.

And their innovative approach to Cotswolds cuisine seems to have been a roaring hit with their diners.

One satisfied customer took to TripAdvisor to give a glowing review, she said: “We visited on Sunday with another couple on our way back from a trip to Worcester. As it was a Sunday it would have been rude not to have a roast.

“We had the beef and also the pork which I’d give a 9/10! The Yorkshire pudding was massive, the beef had two cuts which were more thinly sliced than you’d usually expect on a roast and then a wonderful slow roasted piece that was super succulent.

“Before our meals we received the most wonderful little homemade bread rolls, they were still hot from the oven.”

Another wrote: “Historic. Managed to get a last minute lunch reservation and we were so pleased - we had a fabulous lunch.

“Great staff. Food very special. Grab a reservation at this truly wonderful restaurant.”

Also included on the list was the Churchill Arms located in Paxford, which came in at a very respectable 42nd place.

Big 7 Travel define a gastropub as ‘a watering hole that can also compete with top restaurants when it comes to food’.

You can find more information about The Wild Rabbit by visiting their website, here.

Which gastropubs made it into the top 10? 

  1. The Sportsman – Whitstable, Kent
  2. The Broad Chare – Newcastle upon Tyne
  3. The Wild Rabbit – Cotswolds, Oxfordshire
  4. The Coach – Marlow, Buckinghamshire
  5. Dog and Gun Inn – Skelton, Cumbria
  6. Parkers Arms – Clitheroe, Lancashire
  7. Mr Thomas’s Chop House – Manchester
  8. The Hind’s Head – Bray, Buckinghamshire
  9. The Fordwich Arms – Canterbury, Kent
  10. The Hero of Maida – London