The story
The Lamb Inn in Little Milton, just outside Oxford, is a 16th-century thatched public house that has been serving elevated Modern British pub food since its reopening under new ownership in 2022. The kitchen is run by Michelin-trained Head Chef Nat Berney, who delivers dishes that range from delicate to hearty. The pub has earned a Michelin Recommended award, alongside Two Rosettes and the title of Best Upcoming Gastropub in Oxfordshire 2024 from LuxLife Magazine.
This is a classic English pub, full of character, with a warm and sociable atmosphere. The team describes it as a social hub in a sociable village, offering true hospitality to friends and strangers alike. The seasonally changing menu is complemented by a curated wine list, with most wines available by the glass, sourced from small producers around the world. The Lamb Inn is equally suited for destination lunches, long dinners, or a planned Sunday roast.
The food service varies by day: Tuesday features a wood-fired pizza oven from 5pm, Wednesday offers rotisserie chicken only (reservations and takeaways suggested), and Thursday through Saturday serve lunch and dinner. Sunday is reserved for roasts, with vegetarian and vegan options available by pre-order. The pub also offers a chef's table, private parties, and outdoor seating. The team is constantly striving for best-in-class service, and the Michelin recommendation confirms their success.
With its combination of historic charm, skilled cooking, and a carefully chosen drinks list, The Lamb Inn is a strong example of Modern British gastropub dining in Oxfordshire.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
‘We feel so blessed to have this gem on our doorstep,' proclaims a regular, but this thatched 16th-century village pub attracts praise from further afield for its cosiness, its welcoming staff and, above all, its food. Chef Nat Berney arrived in 2024 after a four-year stint learning the ropes at Raymond Blanc’s prestigious gaff in neighbouring Great Milton. At the back is a small patio garden, popular with summertime drinkers (there are local real ales on tap), while inside, it is all low ceilings, ancient beams and woodburning stoves. When booking, we received stern guidance to arrive at 6pm and leave by 8pm, but any irritation was forgotten when the dishes arrived. Expectations from the brief but posh pub menu are immediately outstripped by some classy execution. Following a refreshing gazpacho-like aperitif, served gratis, mushroom parfait had a sensational caramel-like texture and deep umami flavours, presented piped around crisp fried onions. Big flavours also bellowed out from a sweetcorn velouté, which surrounded a precisely placed scallop on a bed of roasted leeks and sweetcorn. Next, a dish of faultlessly cooked plaice was served whole with girolles and plentiful lemon persillade butter sauce, while a juicy, pink lamb rack matched with tempura courgette flower, tomatoes, blobs of basil cream and terrific gravy (prepared over many hours, the enthusiastic owner explained), showed classical culinary training put to admirable use. Perhaps our meal was overly rich, and our chosen dessert of luscious compôte cherries came with a ‘panna cotta’ more akin to brûlée, but there’s exciting potential here. A diverting wine list, priced for inquisitive drinkers rather than show-offs, adds to the allure. Pizzas (from a wood-fired oven) are served on Tuesdays.
2 Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence
Location
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