The Feathered Nest Inn

Our Inspector's view

The Feathered Nest is a born-again country hostelry that’s seriously worth a detour. The views over the Evenlode Valley from this old malthouse in picturesque Nether Westcote on the Gloucestershire-Oxfordshire border are glorious. There's pretty accommodation including a cottage in the grounds if you fancy staying the night after a memorable meal. The Cotswold-stone building looks good both inside and out, with a contemporary country-chic interior – stone walls, flagged floors and antique, stacked logs and leather sofas – the feelgood factor is ramped up by inviting real fires in winter and bucolic views from the terrace and garden in the warmer months. Expect a genuine welcome and a modern British menu that fizzes with good ideas and appealing combinations. Local produce forms the backbone of the menus, with herbs and vegetables grown in the kitchen garden. There’s à la carte, a six-course tasting menu and a plant-based menu to choose from. So, maybe start with sea bream, lime, avocado, rose harissa, coriander, mango and smoked mayonnaise, or ravioli of Cackleberry Farm egg yolk and truffled potato with mushrooms and spring white truffle. Then enjoy fillet of Belted Galloway beef, sticky blade, wild garlic, beef croquettes, tomato mushrooms, watercress and red wine jus; or roasted hake, white asparagus, caramelised onion, sautéed potatoes with white wine and caviar sauce. If no meat and no fish is your thing, then the four-course menu dishes might be white gazpacho with green olive focaccia, Wye Valley asparagus, celeriac and toasted hazelnuts; chargrilled fennel, kohlrabi, Granny Smith apple, grapes and endive; finishing with avocado with cocoa, blood orange and passionfruit. Traditional, English afternoon teas, Sunday lunches and live music in the bar are extra temptations to consider.

Awards, accolades and Welcome Schemes

3 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence