The Eight Bells: Sunday Lunch in Chipping Camden

 

Set in the heart of Chipping Campden, The Eight Bells is a traditional Cotswold pub co-owned by Neil and Julie Hargreaves for almost 30 years. Built in the 14th-century to house the stonemasons who built St. James’ Church, the Inn got its name by later being used to store the eight bells that were hung in the church tower. The 17th-century saw the Inn rebuilt using most of the original stone and timbers, then was extended in the Georgian period into what stands today, an outstanding example of a traditional Cotswolds Inn with a cobbled courtyard, tremendously popular on a warm sunny day. 

With ales from Hook Norton Brewery and North Cotswold Brewery, gin from Cotswold Distillery, meat from butcher David Moore on Chipping Campden’s High Street and seasonal vegetables from the area, the Eight Bells prides itself on celebrating regional ingredients. Arriving for our first Sunday lunch while staying at Little Orchard, we enjoyed a lovely walk along the high street before being seated at a quiet corner table beside the wood burning fireplace and a view through the leaded glass windows onto utterly charming Church Street. 

Beginning with a glass of Prosecco, and following with a delicious 2019 Chateau Haut-Rian Grand Vin de Bordeaux, we explored the Sunday menu and settled on the homemade Cauliflower Soup and Glazed Fig and Goats Cheese Salad, with baby watercress and mixed nuts, before tucking into the quintessential English Sunday Lunch, tender Prime British Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips, with braised cabbage and gravy. With an enticing array of desserts, we couldn't resist the homemade Apple Pie, so it was good thing that we would be walking back to Hoo Lane, before perhaps taking a little nap. 

The charming 17th-century stone and timber interior of The Eight Bells

Six handpumps serve local and regional ales and two ciders

Hook Norton Brewery have been crafting the finest ales, lagers and stouts in Oxfordshire since 1849

Neil Hargreaves and co-owned The Eight Bells with his wife Julie, for almost 30 years

The Drinks & Wines Menu

We began our Sunday Lunch with a glass of Prosecco

Cream of Cauliflower Soup with bread and butter

Glazed Figs, Goats Cheese, Baby Watercress and Mixed Nuts Salad with Balsamic Dressing

With a very nice wine list, we chose a delicious 2019 Chateau Haut-Rian Grand Vin de Bordeaux

The perfect wine pairing for our Sunday Roast Lunch 

Cutlery setting with a Laguiole beef knife

28-day aged tender sirloin of Prime British Beef with homemade Yorkshire Pudding,

Roasted and Mash Potatoes, Roast carrots and Parsnips, Cabbage and Gravy

Painting of St. James Church in Chipping Camden amid the Cotswolds hills

hung beside us at The Eight bells

Warm homemade Apple Pie with Vanilla Iced Cream

eightbellsinn.co.uk