The Crown Inn

Rooms

For a Georgian-era building which has been added to over centuries, you'd expect beams and low ceilings, a few wonky lines here and there, layers of history writ large in walls and ceilings. While the Crown Inn does deliver in this regard, its 5 tastefully decorated rooms are surprisingly spacious and light. The bed was the comfiest we have ever slept in and the pillows were like clouds. We stayed in Room 3 and had masses of space with a bedroom, living area and bathroom, and a wall of windows peeking onto the cobbled pavement.

But it was the little details that really impressed, making the rooms warm and artful. Succulents in hanging gold pots; fishing lanterns and Anglepoise lighting; retro sofas in front of Apple TVs. Soft throws, bold modern art, antique drawers, homemade cookies, handmade soap – the list goes on. You can request a mobile a/c unit in summer months, fans are provided too.

Each room in the Inn is unique, with bold colours and art on the walls. Room 3 was our favourite – a mix of greys and blues, livened by a burnt-orange throw, abstract art and sepia photographs. We also loved characterful Room 5, set in the beamed eaves with a deep roll-top bath.

Snazzy bathrooms have claw-foot tubs or rain showers with retro hexagonal tiling, plus Cowshed toiletries and the softest towels and robes. And do forget your toothbrush; there are disposable bamboo versions here, plus nostalgic old-fashioned toothpaste.

We stayed in the recent addition to the fold on our latest visit: cute little three-storey three-bedroom Crown Cottage (sleeps 2-5) just across the alley from the Inn. While the cottage hasn't yet had the full make-over from Justine decor-wise, we had a very comfortable stay and slept very well on brand new mattresses. The ground floor has a small living room complete with wood-burning stove in an inglenook fireplace and a chaise longue. A couple of steps up is a good sized kitchen with pillar-box-red tiles which opens up to a tiny patio garden. Upstairs are three bedrooms: a first floor double and single which share a bathroom with a walk-in shower, and a master bedroom in the roof whose ensuite has both shower and tub.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Radio
• Safe box
• Satellite TV
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

You can dine in the pub itself, a buzzy space with neutral colours, exposed stone walls and crackling fires (in season) or in the light-filled conservatory, where green plants trail from macrame hanging baskets.

The dinner menu features imaginative wood fired pizzas (think chorizo, chilli & honey or mozzarella with wild mushroom and white truffle) and brasserie style fare, which we thought a cut above average pub grub. We started with burrata and heirloom tomatoes plus cod croquettes in garlic mayo, moving on to steak tagliata, and crispy duck salad with hoisin sauce and fat chips. 

For breakfast the next day we enjoyed toast with smashed avocado, poached egg and halloumi, along with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, washed down with well-made lattes and cappuccinos. 

If staying in Crown Cottage there's a full kitchen for you to self-cater, plus a dining table which seats 5. Guests here can enjoy breakfast at the Inn of course. There's a Co-op literally opposite the Inn for groceries, and plenty of other eateries in town if you'd like a change of scene.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegan options
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Explore Woodstock: a handsome Cotswolds market town with Georgian architecture, gorgeous delis, antique shops and independent clothing and gift boutiques
• Unesco-listed Blenheim Palace is on your doorstep: the birthplace of Winston Churchill, it has gilded state halls, impressive artworks and 2,000 acres of 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland
• The quaint church in neighbouring Bladon is home to Churchill's grave
• Downton Abbey fans can day trip to Highclere Castle and the pretty village of Bampton, the fictional settings for the TV show
• You're also close to Charlbury and Burford, 2 quintessential Cotswolds towns packed with old-world charm; a little farther are the tiny idyllic 'Slaughter' hamlets
• RSPB Otmoor has great birding especially in the winter months
• Spend a day in Oxford. We love the quirky Ashmolean Museum (Egyptian mummies, Islamic art and rare porcelain) and visiting the magnificent colleges: Christ Church was where Einstein and Lewis Carroll were educated, and was used as a setting for the Harry Potter films

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora

Kids

Families are welcome at The Crown Inn, and the restaurant makes dining with children easy – there's a kids' menu, and as soon as families sit down they are brought a plate of foccacia, hummus and crudities, plus a box of Lego and some crayons.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The best option for families is three-bedroom self-catering Crown Cottage, which has two double bedrooms and a single bed, plus more space and privacy for a family to relax. At the Inn itself, Rooms 2 and 5 can fit a baby cot; Rooms 1 and 3 can fit a baby cot or rollaway bed; Room 4 has a sofabed for 1 child and space for a rollaway bed.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 1.5 hours' drive (London Heathrow)
• Shop: Across the road
• Hospital: 10 minutes' drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Crown Inn is set right in the middle of Woodstock (an Oxfordshire market town), 14km from Oxford in central England.

By Air:
London Heathrow (82km) is your best bet if arriving from overseas, or you can fly into Birmingham (106km). There is a small airfield outside Oxford (10km away) which receives a few domestic/short-haul flights and private flights. 

By Car:
The pub doesn't have private parking but there's a long-stay car park 5 minutes' walk from The Crown and the first 12 hours are free. The approximate driving time from London is 1.5 hours, likewise from Birmingham or Bristol. See our car rental recommendations.

By Train:
The nearest train station is Hanborough (10km), which is connected to London Paddington by hourly direct trains (journey time 1 hour). You can phone for a taxi at the station.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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