Shilton and the surrounding countryside is full of special places to eat and drink. You will find copies of the Good Pub Guide and Alistair Sawday's Special Places to Eat and Drink at the cottage, plus details of some of our personal favourites. Here is just a taste of where we like to go. Remember if you really want to eat in any of these places or you are a large party, it’s always advisable to book; the Cotswolds is a very busy area  particularly at weekends and during holiday times.

The Rose and Crown - Shilton, this couldn’t be more convenient for you. The owner, Martin  is relatively new to the village and loves his food and as a consequence the pub is now featured glowingly in both the Good Pub Guide and Alistair Sawdays book.  Shilton is very lucky to have Martin. Tel:01993 842280

The Lamb Inn , Sheep Street, Burford, we like this place for its cosy snug bar for a quick drink or a snack in one of the lounges.  Tel: 01993 823155

The Highway Hotel, Burford, this is a recently converted pub and has well priced, good food in a gastro pub environment. We prefer to sit upstairs rather than having a table in the basement.

The Village Pub, Barnsley is a real favourite of ours. 25 minutes drive away but go on the back roads and you will have a lovely country drive and be well rewarded when you get there. Tel: 01285 740421

There are many Cafés in the Cotswolds we like the Maison Blanc, Huffkins Bakery and The Priory Tea Rooms in Burford One particular favourite of ours is the Daylesford Café at Daylesford Organic Farm Shop, which is about a 25 minutes drive away. It also has great local produce for sale, a small garden centre, chic clothing, homewares and a spa. Tel: 01608 731700, daylesfordorganic.com

The Swan at Southrop is technically a pub but the main dinning area is really a restaurant and is a lovely restaurant with great food and wines. Tel: 01367 850 205

The Plough at Kingham is only about 20 minutes away. Its restaurant is headed by Heston Blumental protegee Emily Watkins. The restaurant is in an historic Tithe Barn in the centre of the village. www.thekinghamplough.co.uk Tel: 01608 658327

Barnsley House is a very exclusive country house hotel with distinctive bar area and restaurant, it’s for a truly special occasion. The house used to belong to the renowned gardener Rosemary Verey, so the gardens are worth looking at too. Tel : 01285 740000

It’s a Cotswold tradition to have Afternoon Tea, sadly too many places serve stale scones with synthetic cream from a can and jam in a plastic pouch. We prefer the following; The Burford House Hotel - situated half way down Burford High Street, this old hotel has three rooms with chairs and tables or comfy sofas that serve probably the best Cream Tea in Burford.

The Swan Hotel and Bibury Court in Bibury (tel: 01285 740337) are both good and in a beautiful village, afterwards take a stroll along the river and up Arlington Row to walk off the indulgence.

Barnsley House Hotel in Barnsley serve afternoon tea with up-market aplomb.  Go there for the real country house experience.

Going out for Sunday lunch is very popular in the Cotswolds.  As a result some restaurants get booked up quickly, so it is always best to call as early in the week as you can to reserve your table. We particularly like Sunday lunch at:

The Village Pub, Barnsley (Tel 01285 740421), The Swan, Southrop (Tel 01367850205) and The Fox, Lower Oddington (Tel: 01451 870555)

Specialist food shops nearby

Castle Butchers Burford - established in a beutiful buiding half way down the high street in Burford this traditional Butchers sells excellent meat, it also sells particualrly good black pudding.

Daylesford Organic Shop - Daylesford - all you need from organic meats, produce, cheeses, breads in beautiful stylish surroundings.

Your Own Chef - many guests like to celebrate at The Chestnuts and although we can't allow parties, we are happy to recommend a chef who can come in and cook a special meal or prepare delicious canapés for your group. It's a nice way to celebrate a family birthday or get together with friends without the pressure of having to cook yourself.

We have a special relationship with the Leiths School of Food and Wine who would happily organise the very best chef for your needs. Just contact Alison or Hilary on 01225 722983 or e mail info@leithslist.com

A recent guest had this great feed back when they booked a chef - The Leiths Chef was brilliant. She arrived promptly, the food was cooked beautifully and she cleared and cleaned up after us and herself, I would recommend the evening to your other guests.