THE DOUBLE RED DUKE, Sunday Roast in the Cotswolds
- Jose Sol
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
A "Gastropub" that feels more like a restaurant with a pub soul than a traditional pub.
The Christmas season was the perfect excuse to keep exploring food experiences in the UK, and what better time to do it than on a Sunday, enjoying one of the great British classics: the Sunday roast.
After quite a bit of research, I decided to visit The Double Red Duke, a beautiful gastropub located in Clanfield, in the heart of the Cotswolds. Set inside a former 17th-century stone inn, the building has been transformed into a warm, cosy and very inviting space.
The pub is divided into several spaces rather than one large open area, which creates a feeling of privacy and calm. It’s easy to relax here, whether you’re visiting just for lunch or staying overnight. The Double Red Duke Hotel also offers rooms, with prices ranging from £150 to £300 per night.
There is also a pleasant garden where you can sit outside, plus a small car park for guests.
Before lunch
We arrived a little earlier than planned, so we started with drinks at the bar:
Gin & Tonic (£12.50)
Pint of Estrella Galicia (£7)
Finding a Spanish beer is always a nice touch.
The food (the real reason we’re all here)
Snacks
Smoked whipped lardo with sourdough (£4.50) This is a must order. Two generous slices of toasted sourdough served with smoked whipped lardo. The smoky flavour combined with the toasted bread is seriously addictive. We ended up ordering a second one... that says it all.
Starters
Tempura cauliflower, black sesame, curry aioli (£10) A very good portion. The tempura is well executed and the cauliflower is perfectly cooked, soft inside with a light crunch. We really enjoyed this dish.
Burrata, tomatoes, basil sourdough crumb (£14) This was the only dish that didn’t fully convince us. The burrata was quite underwhelming and the tomatoes lacked flavour. The capers helped balance the dish, but in a place that clearly cares about ingredients, this was a small disappointment. It didn’t ruin the meal, but it stood out.
Sunday Roast
Roast sirloin of beef & Yorkshire pudding (£29) Absolutely outstanding. The beef was perfectly cooked, tender, juicy and full of flavour, melting in the mouth. Served with roasted potatoes and a beautiful gravy with deep, traditional oven-roasted flavours. Not too thick, but rich and long-lasting on the palate.
The homemade Yorkshire pudding was generous in size and very well made. The dish also comes with a small pot of horseradish sauce.
Grilled free-range chicken & bread sauce (£27) I didn’t realise that traditionally chicken Sunday roast doesn’t come with Yorkshire pudding, but here it was served with one anyway, plus gravy. Around a quarter chicken, roasted to perfection: crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, full of classic roast flavours. Served with roasted potatoes.
To share, we were also brought cheesy cauliflower and a selection of carrots and parsnips, both very well done.
Dessert
Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream (£10) I’m genuinely addicted to this dessert and order it whenever I can. The Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Double Red Duke deserves a special mention... it was absolutely delicious!!!
We finished with:
Cortado (£3)
Iced latte (£3.50)
My Point of View
The visit was absolutely worth it. As mentioned at the beginning, this is not a traditional pub in the classic sense, it feels much closer to a restaurant than a pub.
Whether it feels expensive or not will depend on your budget. Personally, I think it’s a successful place that naturally attracts a certain type of customer through slightly higher prices than other local pubs.
The staff were attentive and genuinely helpful when ordering. The building itself adds a lot to the experience, reminding you where you are. A simple menu, based on good-quality ingredients and solid cooking, delivers exactly what you expect from a place designed to be enjoyed slowly and properly.
I would recommend a visit!!!
More information:
Address: Bourton Rd, Clanfield, Bampton OX18 2RB
Google Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 (1209 reviews 06/01/2026)
Mi Personal Review in Google: HERE
Comments