Between Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, a quintet of watering holes has been selected by The Sunday Times as the finest in the area.

Informed by “expert editorial opinion”, first up on the list published this weekend is Horse & Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill.

Praised for its food and “glorious” views from the garden, the pub is outlined as a firm favourite.

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“The chefs, Nathan Eades and Liam Goff, should be knighted — possibly even canonised — for their chicken chasseur pie with creamed spinach and whipped potato,” reads the piece.

Next up is Langford’s The Bell Inn, which is commended for its “moreish” pizzas and interior design.

“I love how its mushy-pea walls, caramel-coloured beams, barrel tables and eclectic art hint at Withnail and I debauchery,” explained the article.

Third on the list is celebrity hotspot pub The Bull in Charlbury, which has had the likes of Jeremy Clarkson, Amanda Holden, and Sir David Beckham all visit.

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“It wears its good looks with the easy confidence of a top model: well-worn flagstones, exposed honey-stone walls, and oversized fireplaces now accessorised with sexy leather banquettes and candle-lit tables with church pews,” remarked The Sunday Times.

Next up is The Wild Duck in Ewen, which garners praise for its layout and menu’s offering of Bibury trout.

“It’s back in business and better than ever, with its eye-catching gothic-style bar and warren of wobbly beamed snugs and dimly lit alcoves, while bedrooms are now boutique chic,” said the piece.

Finally, The Wild Rabbit in Kingham is included thanks to its grand design and alcohol options.

“This is a public house in the same way that Louis Vuitton is a fashion house — they’re the stately homes of their ilk,” quipped the article.

Cottsway Housing Association, formed in 2001, has completed its 6,000th property, making it the largest affordable housing provider in West Oxfordshire.

The organisation currently supports more than 13,000 residents across West Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire.

Richard Reynolds, chief executive of Cottsway, said: “Over the past 25 years we’ve worked hard to provide high-quality, affordable homes that support individuals, families and communities to thrive.

“We’ve recently marked our 25th anniversary and now reaching 6,000 homes is another significant milestone.

“In 2025-26, we invested £53m in developing more new homes and we have an ambitious development programme to continue growing.”

The 6,000th property is located in Leckhampton, near Cheltenham, and is part of a development that will eventually deliver 140 new homes.

Cottsway is actively working on additional schemes in West Oxfordshire, including Chipping Norton and Charlbury, as well as in other parts of the region such as Wanborough, Highworth, South Marston, and Malmesbury in Wiltshire.

A major site in Brize Meadow, located between Brize Norton and Carterton, is nearing completion and will add 271 new homes to Cottsway’s portfolio.

Mr Reynolds said: “This can only be successful through partnership working and I would like to thank everyone we with work, as well as the communities we work within and serve.”

Barbara Evelyn Mary Lean, now Samuels, turned 100 on April 30 and received a royal birthday card at her home in Abingdon. She plans to open it during a family celebration.

Originally from Horrabridge in Devon, she has lived a long life filled with stories from the past, growing up on Dartmoor with no indoor toilet and drawing water from a well.

Her son, Peter, said: “She loved it and is now looking forward to the family gathering on her actual birthday which is Thursday.

“She was thrilled to receive a birthday card from the king this morning but will open it on her actual birthday.”

A larger celebration was held earlier in the month, with 80 friends and neighbours joining her at The Conservative Club in Abingdon on April 18.

Mrs Samuels later enjoyed a quieter party with family on her birthday at Limoncello restaurant in Abingdon.

She was married to an RAF pilot who trained in the US under the Arnold Scheme and flew a Harvard training plane in Florida before piloting a Mk 5 Spitfire in 1943.

He was eventually shot down in Holland and became a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft One on the Baltic coast.