Visiting

A village on the edge
of the Cotswolds

Whatcote, Warwickshire — between Shipston-on-Stour and Stratford-upon-Avon

Whatcote sits quietly where the Feldon meets the first rise of the Cotswold hills. People have been travelling here since 1168 — for the church, for the road, and for more than eight hundred years, for this pub. This page is for those still making the journey to our Michelin-starred dining room.

By Car

Getting here

We're just off the Fosse Way, the old Roman road. From Shipston-on-Stour, ten minutes; from Stratford-upon-Avon, twenty; from Banbury, twenty-five; from Moreton-in-Marsh and the north Cotswolds, around twenty-five. Oxford is under an hour, Birmingham a little over. There's parking at the pub, and What3Words brings you to the door: ///things.radiated.motivations

By Train

From London & beyond

The nearest stations are Moreton-in-Marsh (direct from London Paddington in around 90 minutes, then a 25-minute taxi through the north Cotswolds — Red Lion Private Hire, booked ahead), Banbury (direct from London Marylebone in about an hour, then 25 minutes by taxi — Castle Cars are based at the station), and Stratford-upon-Avon (from Birmingham). We'd recommend booking a taxi ahead — this is deep countryside, and we like it that way.

Taxis

Local firms

Booking ahead is essential — this is proper countryside and there's no rank.

Local to Whatcote & Shipston

J's Countryside Cars07407 432152
Clarkes of Shipston01608 661418
Shipston Taxis01608 661592

From Moreton-in-Marsh & the north Cotswolds

Red Lion Private Hirepre-booking essential07565 226887

From Banbury station

Castle Carsbased at the station01295 270011
Royal Cars01295 255555
White Horse Taxis01295 533433

From Stratford-upon-Avon

Othello Taxis24 hours01789 336226

Around Us

Worth the detour

Shipston-on-Stour Our nearest town, a handsome old wool town on the Stour. Home to our bakehouse, Ferment & Flour, and our sister trattoria, Bastardo's. Ten minutes from a Michelin-starred table.
Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare's town, the RSC and the river, twenty minutes north. We're the closest Michelin star to Stratford.
Chipping Campden & Broadway The honeyed high streets of the north Cotswolds, half an hour southwest.
Compton Verney The Capability Brown-landscaped art gallery, fifteen minutes away.
Hidcote & Kiftsgate Two of England's great gardens, twenty-five minutes.
Edgehill The Civil War battlefield of 1642. Officers are said to have stayed under our roof the night before.

Where to Stay

Resting nearby

Stratford-upon-Avon and the north Cotswolds towns offer everything from coaching inns to country houses, all within an easy drive of the pub. In the village itself, the Whatcote Annex — a well-loved one-bedroom Airbnb — is a minute's walk from our door, close enough to enjoy the wine pairing and stroll home. From late summer 2027, THE PIG-on the farm opens at Walton Estate near Wellesbourne, around 13 minutes from us — a restored manor house and farm buildings set in 53 acres.

Common Questions

Before you set out

Is there a Michelin star restaurant near Stratford-upon-Avon?

Yes — we're around 20 minutes south of Stratford, in the village of Whatcote.

How far is The Royal Oak from THE PIG-on the farm at Walton Estate?

About 6.7 miles — roughly 13 minutes by car via the Fosse Way.

Which Cotswolds towns are close by?

Shipston-on-Stour (10 minutes), Moreton-in-Marsh (25), Chipping Campden and Broadway (about 30).

What's the nearest train station?

Moreton-in-Marsh (London Paddington line) and Banbury (London Marylebone line), each about 25 minutes by taxi.

What days are you open?

Wednesday to Saturday, for lunch and dinner sittings. There's parking at the pub, and we're easy to find just off the Fosse Way.

We look forward to welcoming you

Wednesday to Saturday · Whatcote, Warwickshire · CV36 5EF

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