THE CASTLE at Edgehill stands at a landmark in English history.
It was on the crest of this ridge, at the most northerly point of the Cotswolds on the Oxfordshire/Warwickshire border, where Charles I once stood and watched the first major battle of the English Civil War in 1642.
That October day was a foul one, with rain falling throughout, reducing the battlefield to a quagmire. Not surprising therefore that the Parliamentarians withdrew at dusk to Warwick leaving the way clear for Charles to continue on his way to London.
How the king might have appreciated a good meal and cosy night at The Castle – but sadly for him it wasn’t to be built for another 100 years.
Housed within an extravagant folly designed and built in the 1740s by landscape designer, Sanderson Miller, to commemorate the centenary of the battle, the mock castle was converted into an Inn in 1822, with additions built during the 19th century.
And the 21st century visitor, unlike Charles I, can now enjoy fine food and a comfortable night if they wish to stay.
The Castle is operated by Freespirit pubs, an independent group with a roster of five inns located across Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire.
A pub, restaurant and wedding venue, with five bedrooms and a gin school and distillery, there’s a lot going on at The Castle.
Freespirit has a clear ethos – sustainable and seasonal local produce achieved through working closely with farmers, growers, wholesalers and fisherman.
And that ethos is transferred with skill and aplomb to the plate by head chef, Pawel Neuman, and his team.
Modern British dishes with imaginative touches are delivered alongside pub classics at lunch and dinner daily.
We started with the generous sharing board BBQ chicken wings, spicy meat balls, smoked chicken terrine and homemade breads, olives and dips.
We followed that with a succulent spicy jalapeno chicken burger – which was anything but a standard burger – and a perfectly cooked pan fried cod, accompanied by creamy girolles mushrooms and crayfish salsa.
And we just about found room for a traditional apple crumble and custard and a chocolate tart with custard instead of ice cream. Naughty but very nice.
All this we enjoyed in one of the three relaxed dining spaces, which include a new addition with full-height windows to make the most of the panoramic views, while also enjoying first class service.
Poor old King Charles I doesn’t know what he missed.
Visit castleatedgehill.co.uk for further details.
Gareth Beddows
