The White Hart

It might not give much away from the outside, but the interior of this former chantry house is breathtaking. It was built in 1442 to house two priests and five almsmen (poor men) whose sole duty was to pray for the soul of the lord of the manor, the chapel's founder. Among the many original features is a tunnel - probably an escape route for priests during the Dissolution of the Monasteries - that runs from the corner of the bar to the manor house. In the cosy low-ceilinged bar, centre stage is taken by a large inglenook fireplace. In stark contrast is the main restaurant, a grand hall of a place with soaring eaves and beams, huge stone-flanked window surrounds and flagstone floors, overlooked by a minstrels' gallery. Mark and Kay Chandler are passionate 'foodies' and work closely with nearby farms and suppliers; they even exchange food and wine for locals' home-grown produce, and menus change daily. Each dish is prepared to order and everything is made on the premises, including bread and pasta from locally milled flour. Apart from starters that might include braised hare suet pudding with garlic velouté, or home-cured salmon gravadlax with marinated cucumber salad, there are antipasti, mezze and fish sharing-boards for two. Typical main courses are wild sea bass fillet with pumpkin and parmesan tartlet, toasted hazelnuts and warm broccoli salad; and slow-roasted belly of Kelmscott pork with celeriac and cider jus. Save room for the deliciously tempting pudding menu, especially the hot chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream. The extensive and varied wine list includes wine from the local vineyard. Two annual beer festivals are held (on May Day and August bank holiday) with at least 12 real ales, and hog roasts.

6m S of Oxford just off A420 (Oxford to Swindon road)
Nearest station: Didcot/Oxford
Nearest motorway: M40 junct 9/M4 junct 13

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