"Jim and Claire Alexander recently restored Killingworth Castle, a Cotswold stone pub standing in the picturesque village of Wooton. Guests stay in eight cosy suites that have been carved out of four old cottages sharing the inn’s forecourt. Complementary decanters of sherry and homemade biscuits greet guests on arrival, and don’t be surprised to hear barking. This pub is popular with locals and their dogs, and there are dog-friendly bedrooms too.

Inside the bar a log-burning stove is very welcoming. The two public dining rooms lie at the back of the pub, sharing a view of the open kitchen. (Open kitchens do add a welcome touch of theatre to the dining experience.) With a policy of sourcing its ingredients as close to home as possible and/or finding the best organic suppliers, Killingworth Castle has a fine reputation for its food. Pub dining classics include a range of burgers with hand cut chips – including a delicious venison burger when in season. There is also a flat iron steak on the menu, beef bourguignon with greens and mash, and fish and chips, featuring Yubby - the beer that Claire and Jim designed themselves - in the beer-batter.

Main courses include organic venison and beef from Coombe Farm in Somerset, hake or a similar meaty fish for the pescatarians and a few dishes for vegetarians including Jerusalem artichoke with wild mushroom. The desserts are traditional pub fare but include organic ice cream and three organic cheeses, Godminster cheddar from Somerset, Trevarrian brie from Cornwall and Perl Las from West Wales.

Even the coffee is ethically sourced, Killingworth’s own organic espresso blend from local micro roastery in Stow on the Wold. This is all good Foodie Fun – but with a heart.

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"There is no castle at Killingworth, which is actually in the village of Wooton. This seventeenth-century public house was built by one Thomas Killingworth and either he gave it such a grand-sounding name or maybe the locals nicknamed it such. In its long history Killingworth Castle was also known as the Red Lion, but the new owners, Jim and Claire Alexander have restored the old name and the old signage.

The pub is popular with locals – and their dogs – with a long low bar and a log-burning stove. It also has a snug for private dining and two public dining rooms at the back, with a view of the open kitchen. Here bearded Will and his sturdy team of chefs turn out a compact but tasty menu that places a lot of emphasis on organic ingredients, including a fine venison burger. The beer is Yubby, a brew made specifically for Claire and Jim to their own recipe, and there are some good organic wines on the menu.

Guests stay in eight cosy suites that have been carved out of four old cottages that share the forecourt with the inn itself. Complementary decanters of sherry and homemade biscuits greet guests on arrival.

Walkers will love the hotel’s website, which has a section devoted to walks and rides, some of which start at the pub or nearby in Woodstock or Wychwood Forest. They range in length from one mile to eight and a half over pretty level terrain. Given the hotel’s obvious friendliness towards dogs (not just in the bar but in two dog-friendly cottages as well) this is a fine place to go dog-walking. Whether or not you have a four-legged friend, however, Killingworth Castle is a lovely friendly base for a weekend in the country with your boots."