Clare Alexander of Killingworth Castle talks about the dishes to look forward to this Spring

Spring is nature’s way of saying “Let’s Party!” At The Killingworth Castle we believe you can’t have enough experience in this field so we’re celebrating Spring’s fresh, seasonal fayre and our own brewed beers with great gusto.

We’ve been rewarded too. It’s just been announced we are runner up in the CAMRA North Oxon Pub of the Year Awards, after just over a year in business.

This award is really close to our hearts because we believe that no matter how good the food is, the atmosphere and celebration of the Great British Pub and its pint are every bit as important.

We hosted the lovely Davina McCall recently as she undertook her marathon Sport Relief charity swim, cycle and run and as she pedaled off towards Windsor (in some pain) she punched the air and shouted “the best food in Britain” and thanked us for giving her appetite back on her biggest ever challenge.

Some new Spring dishes have received some rave reviews, including Rillette of Gloucester Old Spot pork, fennel and grape served with beetroot pickled cabbage and crackling. Our sister pub up the road (The Ebrington Arms near Chipping Campden) is literally at the foot of the Vale of Evesham so the asparagus spears are as fresh as they come, served with asparagus mousse and Burford Brown crispy egg.

New Spring mains include, olive oil poached turbot, salty fingers, new season Jersey Royals and spring cabbage pesto and Szechuan spiced Madgett’s Farm duck breast, confit duck leg croutons, spring cassoulet and local rhubarb.

Our monthly food night has gathered great momentum (second Tuesday of the month), with only one table left for next Tuesday’s Tasting Menu (April 8) and already getting bookings for the next ones (Steak Night, May 13 see website for themes for the rest of the year thekillingworthcastle.com).

But we eat to live not live to eat (try to at least…)– so when we do feast, we want it to be the best. Our blackboard always has pub classics available, simple food executed perfectly.

Our homemade beef burger with bacon & cheese, pickles, salad & home cut fries is so popular with our Lotus regulars we’re thinking of renaming it “the Lotus Burger” or the “F1 Burger” in their honour.

Happily our customer base is spreading well and we hope to build on tourism too when we develop our letting bedrooms this year.

Anyone looking for us should be able to find us all the easier as our brown and white signs will hopefully be in place around Easter time to solidify The Killingworth Castle as back on the map for good.

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The Killingworth Castle, Glympton Road, Wootton.
Call 01993 811401,email reservations @thekillingworthcastle or see thekillingworthcastle.com