Crime & Safety
Inside UK’s best pub nestled in Cotswolds celebrity hotspot
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Sean Waters took to Facebook to describe the “heartbreak and upset” the family were going through after his “funny, sociable and kind hearted soul” son had died earlier this week.
Lewis Waters, who attended the Henley College, died in the early hours of Tuesday (May 12) after developing sepsis, caused by a meningococcal infection (meningitis).
Three cases of the infection were discovered in young people in Reading this week and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed yesterday (Thursday, May 14) that one person had since died.
Mr Waters said: “Words simply can’t describe the heartbreak and upset we’re going through.
“The early hours of yesterday we lost our Lewis. Within a few hours of feeling a bit ill he developed sepsis and was taken from us. He fought hard and was really taken care of by the ICU team, but they just couldn’t save him.
READ MORE: Meningitis student identified as dad pays tribute
“We are absolutely devastated.
“If you didn’t know Lewis, he was a funny, sociable kind hearted soul. He liked to include everyone and took great joy in winding me and Kate up.
“He also loved his sisters, friends and family dearly.
“Life won’t be the same for many of us now that he’s gone.”
READ MORE: One dead after UK infection outbreak: All we know so far
The two other pupils are studying at Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre, and are said to be receiving treatment.
A spokesperson for the Henley institution said: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the student’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
“We are supporting those affected within our college community and are following the advice and guidance given by the UK Health Security Agency.
“Out of respect for the family, we will not be providing further details at this time.”
It is being reported that the UKHSA confirmed the strain identified in the first case is not the same as the Kent outbreak earlier this year, which killed two people.
Close contacts linked to all three people in the cases are being offered antibiotics as a precaution.
The colleges and nearby Reading University are sharing information with students and parents about the signs and symptoms of the infection.
These include vomiting, fever, aches and muscle pain which can look similar to common illnesses like colds or flu. Other symptoms include a dislike of bright lights, fits and a severe headache.
Anyone concerned about symptoms should contact their GP, call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency.
A North Hinksey man has issued another urgent appeal in his bid to secure public rights of way status for two paths on the floodplain between North Hinksey and South Hinksey and near The Fishes pub.
‘Bulstake Path’ and ‘Cable Road’ in Hinksey were previously permissive paths between 2000 and 2011 which means they are private land but the landowner voluntarily allows it for public use.
But the landowner reportedly issued a declaration that unless the path can be shown to be public, it will no longer be accessible for anyone.
In 2024 campaigners collected 63 evidence statements from people who used the path for 20 years.
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The group collected an additional 11 evidence forms, seven of which showed the person had used the path for the full period of 1980 to 2000.
In March the council’s draft decision revealed the path would not be a right of way despite 36 people using the path before 1999.
Now, campaigners are trying to reach more residents to gather more evidence the path has been well used over the years.
If successful, the paths would be legally protected so landowners could not block or build across them, joining existing rights of way such as Willow Walk and another route from The Fishes pub towards Osney Mead Industrial Estate.
However, if the bid fails and people don’t come forward to say they used to walk on the path decades ago, the community would lose a pathway that is frequently used.
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.
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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.
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