Artist Residence, Oxfordshire. One for those who want to hide away in the countryside, where it feels like there is nothing around you and you can just relax and indulge in nice food and drink. Maybe a little walk, bike ride or the odd bath.
Although very much in the middle of nowhere you’re actually only approx 30mins from Bicester Village, yes please or Oxford city centre. Both great for shopping or the latter great for exploring. Check out their website here.
Back to the hotel.
Rooms
It’s very much a country pub with rooms, but nice rooms. Along with a small selection of out buildings that have been transformed into rooms. The room was larger than I expected. Nice decor and gorgeous wooden beams. A sofa and a desk, large comfy bed with all the pillows and plenty of amenities. Nespresso machine for the coffee lovers and selection of tea for the others. No green tea which always disappoints but I guess I shouldn’t be so fussy. I’ve learnt to take my own. Home baked cookies, and waters are complimentary and there’s a nice selection of snacks in the mini bar.
Bathroom complete with roll top bath, just how we like it. A selection of Bramley products, including bubble bath. You’ll be surprised how many places provide the bath and no bubbles. Aren’t the bubbles part of the bath.
Some cute touches include mini This Works pillow spray. Rooms are also equipped with robes and slippers which to me is a must.
Food and Drink
Typical cute country pub with lots of little cosy nooks and out door spaces. Great selection of drinks and wines and a nice food menu. Lots of pub style food but done incredibly well. Bar snacks to accompany drinks and a lovely team of staff. They encourage you to sit while they look after you.
Some food highlights were the selection of fish, some incredible scallops, perfectly cooked squid with delicious dipping sauce and the best monk fish is a butter milk batter and dipping sauce. We really enjoyed everything and made sure to sample as much as possible over the 2 night stay.
If you’re a cocktail fan order the Paloma. We tried some really great wines too.
Nobody likes a negative Nancy but I can’t say the pudding were on the same page. A crumble that was not a crumble. We didn’t bother to say anything because everything else was so great and had we really needed pudding NO.
Breakfast was again so good. A nice selection although John likes a full English with black pudding and that’s not on offer. I don’t think he was too worried having tried the other options though.
Final thoughts
With prices the way they are ATM it was a great spot for a reasonable price. Obviously it’s not some big luxury spa hotel but perfect with out all that. We really enjoyed the peace and quiet, sitting outside with a bottle of wine or two. The food was right up our street and very reasonably priced. It’s our kinda place chilled and foodie. We have our eye on their property in Cornwall and will certainly check out some other locations too. To compare it has a similar vibe to the pig, but not quite as grand and no treatment rooms.
Have you visited and Artist Residence? Let me know what you thought. Miss my last post? Catch up here.
Rach xx
