The French Horn is a long-established Thames-side establishment within a lovely village setting…
Orwells
“A welcoming country pub with top drawer cooking.” - AA Inspector
HENLEY-ON-THAMES, OXFORDSHIRE
Since they opened the place in 2010, Liam and Ryan Simpson-Trotman have transformed this whitewashed Georgian pub into a beacon of modern British gastronomy. Standing on an Oxfordshire country road in the unruffled environs of Binfield Heath, Orwells occupies a peaceful rural spot overlooking fields. Inside, the old country pub feel remains with low beams, rich teal blue hues and vibrant artwork. Both Ryan and Liam hold the fort in the kitchen and they’re around 75% self-sufficient in fresh produce in the summer months. Perhaps try a flavoursome opener of John Dory, confit pork, garden nettles and verjus before a main of immaculately timed day boat Cornish turbot, grilled gem lettuce, seashore herbs, hen of the woods mushroom and gherkin ketchup. New Forest strawberries, vanilla pannacotta, mint, crumble, candied pecan is a good shout to finish on. There’s a lovely garden for alfresco dining.
Awards, accolades & Welcome Schemes
Facilities – at a glance
Children welcome
Credit cards accepted
Gluten free menu
Private dining
Tasting menu
Features
- Seats: 35
- Private dining available
- On-site parking available
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accessible toilets
- Closed: 2 weeks beginning January, 2 weeks beginning September
- Wines under £30: 15
- Wines over £30: 110
- Wines by the glass: 14
- Cuisine style: Modern British
- Vegetarian menu
Also in the area
About the area
Discover Oxfordshire
Located at the heart of England, Oxfordshire enjoys a rich heritage and surprisingly varied scenery. Its landscape encompasses open chalk downland and glorious beechwoods, picturesque rivers and attractive villages set in peaceful farmland. The countryside in the northwest of Oxfordshire seems isolated by comparison, more redolent of the north of England, with its broad views, undulating landscape and dry-stone walls. The sleepy backwaters of Abingdon, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington and Witney reveal how Oxfordshire’s old towns evolved over the centuries, while Oxford’s imposing streets reflect the beauty and elegance of ‘that sweet city with her dreaming spires.’ Fans of the fictional sleuth Inspector Morse will recognise many Oxford landmarks described in the books and used in the television series.
The county demonstrates how the strong influence of humans has shaped this part of England over the centuries. The Romans built villas in the pretty river valleys that thread their way through Oxfordshire, the Saxons constructed royal palaces here, and the Normans left an impressive legacy of castles and churches. The philanthropic wool merchants made their mark too, and many of their fine buildings serve as a long-lasting testimony to what they did for the good of the local community.
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