With its beautiful countryside, farms, wildlife parks, museums and stately homes, it’s easy to see why the Cotswolds is such a popular destination for family holidays. Yet it can sometimes feel a little intimidating walking into a five-star hotel with your toddler, teenager and dog – especially if all three have muddy feet after a long day spent outside.
That’s where a great pub with rooms comes in, like ours. With an inviting and warm atmosphere, and no hints of stuffiness from our down-to-earth and friendly staff, it’s ideal for families of all shapes and sizes to call home during a Cotswolds visit. And we love mud. We even have wellie boots for the whole family to borrow.
Family-Friendly Dining at The Double Red Duke
Our chefs are more than happy to whip up children’s sized portions, with a kid-friendly menu featuring classics including sausage and chips, cheese and tomato pizzetta and burger and chips. There’s even a children’s-sized Sunday roast, and of course, plenty of puddings, including an ice cream sundae with cookies and chocolate sauce. Meanwhile, the milkshakes are also bound to be a hit, especially the salted caramel. And never fear: highchairs and warm milk are also available on request.
Parents aren’t any less well catered to of course, and the food offering is one of the main reasons that people come to stay at the Double Red Duke. With a focus on meat, fish and vegetables cooked over an open fire at our chefs counter (which doubles up as great entertainment, too), standout dishes include our array of steaks, the Middlewhite pork with anchovy and wild sea bass with smoked velouté.
In the winter months, you’ll want to bag yourself an after-dinner spot in the Snug too, where we keep board games, puzzles and books, while in the summer head out for a run around the kitchen gardens or a climb in the outdoor playground before bed.
Spacious and Stylish Rooms for Families of All Sizes
Upstairs, choose from one of our spacious bedroom options, including a Family Room especially designed for families of four (the other rooms can easily have a cot added too for the littlest guests). Every room is stylishly and quirkily decorated, both inviting and warm without being fussy, with kids sure to love the roll-top bathtubs. If you’re travelling with a four-legged friend they can join you in some of the rooms too, and there’s even a shared terrace space for guests.
Local Cotswolds Attractions: Wildlife Parks, Model Villages and Harry Potter Magic
The Double Red Duke’s location is also a real draw for families, as we’re so close to Oxford as well as a handful of the Cotswolds’ prettiest villages (which may or may not be more appealing to mum and dad). Just 11 minutes down the road in Burford you’ll find the Cotswold Wildlife Park, with its beautiful walled gardens and plethora of zoo animals, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all ages. For slightly less exotic attractions, head to the Cotswolds Farm Park instead (40 minutes away). Then there’s the miniature model village at Bourton-on-the-Water, a 30-minute drive away – be sure to familiarise yourselves with Gulliver’s Travels and Lilliput en route.
In Oxford itself there’s endless Harry Potter fan opportunities, most famously the Bodleian Library. And while Blenheim Palace is probably more targeted at grown-ups, it’s still awe-inspiring enough for older children too. Other stately homes worth ticking off include Kelmscott Manor, the home of William Morris’s Arts and Crafts movement. Want to tire little ones out? A run around Batsford Arboretum (historic home of the famous Mitford sisters) should do it.
A true home away from home, we can’t wait to welcome you and your family soon.
Six Nations returns this weekend and we will be showing all the action at our @doubleredduke and @masonsarmsclanfield 🍻 #CountryCreatures
No matter your allegiance, join us in Clanfield for all the @sixnationsrugby this season! 🏉
Showing live at @doubleredduke & @masonsarmsclanfield #CountryCreatures