That is according to the National Pub & Bar Awards, which named The Bull in Charlbury as the National Pub & Bar of the Year 2025.

Judges praised the seventeenth‑century Cotswold inn for its “stripped‑back design”, “exceptional food” and “flawless service”.

The cosy town inn also features in the Michelin Guide and on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list.

READ MORE: Hollywood star Jason Statham building £25m mansion after Cotswolds visit

Inside The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

Since reopening under new ownership in 2023, The Bull has developed a reputation as a celebrity hangout, with visits from stars living locally.

These have included Robbie Williams, Kate Moss, Jeremy Clarkson, and American television icon Ellen DeGeneres, among others.

Last summer, former US Vice President Kamala Harris also visited The Bull during the celebrations of Steve Jobs’ daughter Eve and her husband, Harry Charles.

Sir David Beckham also celebrated his knighthood at the end of last year at the watering hole, “taking over” the pub according to onlookers.

READ MORE: TV legend’s daughter selling £3.95m Oxfordshire mansion with swimming pool

Inside The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

So what’s it really like? Is Chalrbury’s local really the best pub in the whole of the UK, or is that a load of old Bull?

I recently took a trip to the picturesque town to answer that question, or at the very least, enjoy a pint in the sun.

Greeted with glorious weather, the town looked like it was straight from a postcard, as the sun shone on the Cotswold stone buildings along winding streets.

Stepping inside The Bull felt like greeting an old friend. Despite having never set foot in the watering hole previously, it had a wonderfully familiar air to it.

READ MORE: Five Cotswolds villages named among the prettiest in the UK

The fireplace at the Cotswolds pub. (Image: Newsquest)

The staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming, instantly setting me at ease and with some tangible excitement to see what all the fuss was about.

A quick look around the room sounded out a gorgeous fireplace, which must be quite the draw in the colder months, as well as a smattering of classic wooden tables and chairs.

All of this combined to execute the country inn aesthetic to perfection without the need to be over the top or to verge on the pretentious side, as you would expect from a celebrity haunt.

The Bull’s layout is humble, and therein lies its ultimate charm. Its familiarity, warmth and stylish design provide the perfect backdrop to any occasion.

READ MORE: Inside Cotswolds shop used by Jeremy Clarkson and former Prime Minister

The bar at The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

Whether it’s a business meal, a romantic date, a celebration, or a quiet and pondering drink alone, this pub can be all that and more when needed.

Strolling up to the bar in search of refreshment, my eyes were caught by the pride-of-place award from the year prior.

The Bull’s National Pub & Bar of the Year 2025 gong is displayed behind the taps, nestled between the spirit bottles on the back shelf.

A wide array of options is on offer in the Charlbury boozer, including, but not limited to, Guinness, Lucky Saint, Keller Pils and Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone.

READ MORE: Woman bags 100 free holidays including Cotswolds trip saving £14.2k

The Bull was named the best pub in the UK last year. (Image: Newsquest)

Hawkstone is one of the best lagers around these days, in my own humblest of opinions, so it was a fairly simple choice to pick the Cotswolds beer. When in Rome and all that.

Finding a cosy corner seat, I sat down with my pint and enjoyed watching the UK’s best pub in action as happy punters came and went and guests arrived to stay in the rooms above.

Just having a light bite for lunch, I ordered the signature Mince on Toast, and it arrived quickly thereafter for me to enjoy with the cool Hawkstone.

Despite having apprehensions, the staff assured me this was the option to go with, and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the savoury snack went down with a good pint.

READ MORE: Five Cotswolds hotels named among UK’s best places to stay for 2026

Mince on Toast at The Bull. (Image: Newsquest)

When compared with the hustle and bustle of Oxford, Charlbury had a refreshingly slower pace of life, which was reflected well in its premier pub.

The outside area allows room for even more guests, while there is also a second room behind the fireplace.

It was only a short stop in the UK’s best inn, but undoubtedly a pleasant one, which left me smiling like those before me.

Stepping outside into the Cotswolds sunshine, I enjoyed a full stroll of Charlbury before making my way home.

READ MORE: National UK restaurant chain to close 23 sites after administration

The Cotswolds watering hole in full bloom. (Image: Newsquest)

Oxfordshire is blessed with an abundance of quality pubs, with the Cotswolds alone offering their fair share of historic watering holes.

The same can be said for my native Yorkshire and its jewel in the crown, York, which has one of the highest densities of pubs in the UK.

Therefore, it would be unfair of me to agree with The Bull’s crown wholeheartedly, but I have chosen to somewhat sit on the fence for once.

I can also see the appeal of what is a wonderful watering hole, with a stunning building, great location and pleasant staff, which all make it more than worth the visit.

Daniel Webb, of no fixed abode, was recently sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of assaulting a police officer in Oxford on May 2.

The offences were committed against three officers.

The incident occurred at Bonn Square opposite the Westgate shopping centre at around 2.45pm on May 2.

Traffic, including buses, was at a standstill on Queen Street as police officers parked their vehicles to deal with the incident.

READ MORE: Oxford thug jailed for slicing man’s thumb with Samurai sword

Police patrol Bonn Square (Image: Andy Ffrench)

One man could be seen lying on the ground at the St Ebbe’s Street junction with Queen Street, with ambulance crews also attending, which led to a “lockdown” in the area.

Following the incident, there were numerous patrol cars parked on Queen Street, and police officers could be seen talking to people in the Bonn Square area.

Members of the public were giving statements with the force approaching shoppers around Westgate and Queen Street, as well as onlookers.

Thames Valley Police has now confirmed that officers received a report of a public order incident in the location.

A man in his 60s was busking in Bon Square when his earnings were taken, and he was subsequently assaulted, said the force.

Webb was jailed for a total of 56 days.

Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage (Lib Dem), is set to present a petition on Monday, May 18, calling on the government to “restore” the Post Office.

The branch, located about a mile south of Didcot, was thrown into the lurch after a decision to close it was made “without informing” the volunteer-run community shop where it was based.

Residents were made aware in March.

In a situation previously described as “farcical”, by Sally Barksfield, chair of the East Hagbourne Community Shop Committee, the operation of the branch was advertised in the village to be run under a ‘local model’.

MP Olly Glover with post office campaigners (Image: Olly Glover)

Sally said: “This meant we lost the community grant, which supported a dedicated Postmaster.”

It would mean the non-profit community shop would have to take on the management and up to 70 per cent of the staffing costs for the Post Office.

The community shop is the only retailer in the village other than a pub.

The Post Office branch previously ran under a ‘community model’, where about half of the costs were covered by a government grant.

On advertising the ‘local model’, Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, said: “I recognise how important a local Post Office can be for a community, especially for elderly and vulnerable customers.

“I am also aware of the strength of feeling locally, not least given the Post Office’s relationship with the community‑run shop and the role both play in village life.”

For Mr Glover, this solution does not resolve the situation.

He stated: “Over the last week, East Hagbourne Community Shop and I have been working hard to collect signatures for my parliamentary petition.

He added: “You can still sign the petition at the community shop this weekend.”

MP Olly Glover in the community shop (Image: Olly Glover)

The MP’s petition has around 70 handwritten signatures, a requirement for parliamentary petitions is for them to have wet signatures or handwritten signatures.

There is also an online petition on the issue being run by the community shop volunteers, which over 1,000 people have signed.

The community shop also shared a message about the parliamentary petition on social media.

It said: “Even if you have already signed the Shop’s own petition, Olly could use every one of our signatures to show our support in front of Parliament!

“Thank you for your support for our fight to restore local access to this critical service!”