🐕‍🦺 The Farmer’s Dog – Burford’s Star Pub on the Hill

📍 Location: Asthall Barrow, Burford, OX18 4HJ 🌐 thefarmersdogpub.com🍻 Run by: The Clarkson’s Farm team – British produce, Hawkstone beer, and plenty of countryside swagger.

📅 Our Visit – 5 November 2025

Fiona and I rolled up on a crisp Bonfire Night afternoon – the air had that perfect mix of woodsmoke and promise. We didn’t eat, just fancied a drink… and it turned into something special.

We grabbed our pints (Hawkstone Lager for me, something elegant for Fiona) and headed to the decking, overlooking the Windrush Valley. The low autumn sun lit up the Cotswold stone like molten honey. A gentle breeze, laughter from the terrace, and the scent of roast beef drifting from the kitchen.

It was simple and perfect: two friends, golden light, great beer, zero rush. Moments like that are why pubs like this exist.

🌄 First Impressions

Turn off the A40 and there it is — Cotswold charm turned up to eleven. Honey-stone walls, timber beams, big terrace, and that unmistakable sense that this is the place to stop.

Inside? All the classics done right: crackling fire, leather armchairs, the gentle hum of happy people. Not staged or forced — just the real thing.

🍽️ The Food (Next Time!)

We didn’t eat, but the menu had us tempted: 🥩 Steak & Ale Pie bubbling in cast iron🐟 Pan-fried Fish fresh from British waters 🥔 Creamy Mash that probably breaks several dairy laws

Everything’s local, British, and cooked with care. Starters around £8-10, mains about £19-24 — a fair price for proper countryside cooking.

🍺 The Drinks

Ah yes — Hawkstone. Clarkson’s pride and joy, brewed for proper drinkers, not pretenders. Cold, crisp, golden — the perfect companion for sunsets and conversation.

There’s also a Hops & Chops butcher-and-bottle shop next door. You can pick up Hawkstone beer, cider, steaks, and sausages for later — because once you’ve tasted it, you’ll want more.

🌳 The Setting

That decking area deserves its own round of applause. Spacious, warm even in November (thanks to the heaters), and overlooking the Windrush Valley like a painting.

📸 If you’ve got a drone in the van… this is the spot to capture that golden hour glow.

🔗 Map: View Decking Location on Apple Maps

🚗 Traveller’s Notes

✅ Plenty of parking – attendants guide you in ✅ Walk-ins welcome for drinks, book ahead for food ✅ Dog-friendly (obviously!) ✅ Family-friendly – relaxed and welcoming ✅ Heated terrace for those chillier months

⚠️ Minor Grumbles

Because no place is perfect:

• It’s popular — expect queues, especially on weekends.

• Service can slow when full.

• The toilets can get a bit of a queue mid-Sunday-roast-rush.

But honestly… who cares when you’ve got that view and a pint in hand?

💬 The Verdict

The Farmer’s Dog isn’t just a pub. It’s a destination — a proper slice of the Cotswolds wrapped in warmth, humour, and Hawkstone fizz.

That Bonfire Night with Fiona will stick with me: golden sky, good beer, laughter on the wind. It’s the kind of afternoon that deserves a place in your personal highlight reel.

⭐ Rating: 9.5 / 10 – Worth the drive, worth the wait, and absolutely worth a return visit for food.

🧡 Cheers to The Farmer’s Dog — where good beer, great company, and countryside spirit come together perfectly.