The White Horse at Duns Tew

Daisy Hill, Duns Tew, Bicester OX25

Phone: 01869 340272

Website: dunstewwhitehorse.co.uk

WHEN you're having a weekend break probably the most important thing you can hope for is to step foot inside and instantly feel relaxed and at home.

A two week break may afford you time to get to know the area, hotel and staff but, when time is short and precious, you need to feel chilled out almost as soon as your bags hit the hotel's floor.

Fortunately, it is a lovely summer's day as we arrive at The White Horse in the postcard pretty village of Duns Tew, Bicester.

Making the most of the weather, people are gathered in the beer garden enjoying a pint, another family is being shown to their accommodation for the evening and a large group of women are arriving for a meal.

For a quiet village, the 17th century English coaching inn is a hive of activity - and it is easy to see why.

This is a beautiful part of the world to relax in and you instantly feel away from it all.

It is a good mixture of traditional and contemporary inside the pub, beams and exposed brick with interesting wallpapers, colour choices and pictures.

With its real fire, it would be a snug place to hide from the winter's chill particularly with its well stocked bar.

Our room for the evening is warm, cosy and bright, white linens, down feather pillows muted colours and a comfortable bed you could just sink into made it hard to want to leave.

It is elegantly designed and intimate with a window which looks out over the picturesque village - perfect for watching the world go by.

Downstairs may be lively but here in the bedrooms you feel hidden away from it all.

The White Horse makes a good base to visit some famous attractions including the city of Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Ashmolean Museum and a spot of retail therapy at Bicester Village.

Wherever you go during the day - make sure you end up back at The White Horse in time for dinner.

The menu changes daily and is concise but creative - there is certainly something here for everyone.

If you are in luck you will get a chance to try the Korean chicken wings which The White Horse has become renowned for.

Our waiter let us in to the secret and revealed that people call up to find out if they are the menu so it may be wise to book ahead.

Crispy skin and juicy flesh is coated in a moreish sweet but spicy sauce and I had to stop short of licking the bowl clean.

I enjoyed pork belly with caramelised crispy crackling and Asian salad while my husband opted for the great British fish and chips.

Whole animals and fish are butchered and prepared on site every day and the daily menu allows them to use produce local to the area and representational of their season.

From start to finish the service is friendly and relaxed but with great attention to detail - including the crockery.

We spend the rest of the evening watching the sun come down on the rooftop near our room before coming back into the bar area which is still buzzing with locals and visitors.

After a good night's sleep, it is fair to say we have completely destressed from a busy week of work and, after such a delicious evening meal, are looking forward to breakfast.

We were not disappointed.

After a walk around the wonderful countryside surrounding the White Horse, we bid farewell to Duns Tew and left feeling far more relaxed than when we arrived.