Welcome to The Market Tavern in pretty ol' Bampton; a country pub that manages to stay pleasingly traditional, holding all the best things about a rural boozer side-by-side with stylish design and a contemporary spirit. The vibe here is all about seasonal, locally-inspired menus, rustic but charming decor and boutique bedrooms upstairs to rest your head.
Let's start with the space: original stone walls set the tone for a picturesque, authentic inn, complemented by statement tiled flooring and a design-led colour palette of steel blue walls. Artwork choices finish the scheme off nicely with mixed-media gallery walls and a selection of ornate frames. Between the cosy, leather armchairs and eclectic vintage furniture, The Market Tavern feels wonderfully lived in.
A few different menus dictate the day, starting with breakfast which has all the classics including a Full English with sausage, bacon, mushroom, eggs your way, black pudding, hash brown, beans, toast and roasted tomato, as well as smoked salmon and eggs, and make-your-own baps. Just popping in for a drink? The bar snacks are supremely tasty with the likes of focaccia and Tavern cultured herb butter, baked bone marrow and parsley salad and Welsh Rarebit with pickled onions, all on offer.
As for dinner, the menu features a range of seasonal dishes that change regularly, or you can choose from the 'classics' list, which includes beer battered fish and chips with crushed peas and tartare sauce, confit pork belly with creamed potatoes, savoy cabbage and apple sauce, or a venison bourguignon pie with red wine jus.
As with any pub, drinks are a big part of the menu and here there are guest ales as well as pleny of non-alcoholic options, as well as a broad selection of wines and cocktails, such as espresso martinis, a Market Tavern negroni and chocolate orange Old Fashioned.