Posted on May 13, 2022
Welcome to the first journal post in our new series of local reviews, where we’ll be sharing our thoughts on the best places to eat, drink and play in The Cotswolds.
We’re kicking things off with a tried and trusted favourite, The Hollow Bottom Inn. Tucked away in the enchanting village of Guiting Power, roughly 5 miles from Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, The Hollow Bottom is a go-to among locals and walkers taking to the Wardens Way footpath or Cotswold Way National Trail. We love going for a Sunday roast and doing a long 5 mile walk in the surrounding countryside.
Find out what makes this beautiful 17th century inn special below.
Vibe
10/10
Whether you’re a local or visiting the area, we love that The Hollow Bottom has that warm, relaxing environment you expect when you step inside an English pub. Everyone is welcome including canine family members and you might even spot horses and riders resting up in the beer garden with a pint following an afternoon ride!
Inside it has been thoughtfully decorated throughout. A highlight is the inglenook fireplace which makes for an idyllic spot to warm up in winter after a long walk in the countryside.
If you’re visiting on a sunny day, their outdoor spaces are just as lovely, with a beer garden overlooking the rolling fields. Perfect for sunset drinks or al fresco dining!
Service
10/10
We’ve never had bad service at The Hollow Bottom and that paired with the location and top notch food keeps us coming back.
Striking the perfect balance between attentive, friendly service while not making you feel rushed, the staff help create that wonderful relaxing atmosphere. They are also really knowledgeable when it comes to dietary requests and can recommend how meals can be adapted for vegetarians for example, which makes dining out here a breeze for everyone.
Food and Drink
10/10
As a gastropub, The Hollow Bottom prides itself on serving up top quality food. Their meals are crafted using local produce and menus are designing seasonally to ensure the freshest, finest ingredients. We love going there for a Sunday roast which is seriously good. Expect generous portions, including massive Yorkshire puddings, which are full of flavour. We love that they offer vegetarian and gluten free options too.
We’ve visited just the two of us and also with the kids and the food is a hit all round.
Drinks are just as carefully curated and you’ll find plenty of local craft beer and ales to sample as well as an extensive wine list.
Decor
10/10
Leaning into the building’s historic architecture while tying in some elements of country chic, inside you’ll find exposed stone walls, low ceilings with wooden beams and a deep colour palette including hunter green and burgundy. Their collection of fabulous prints dotted across the walls are the cherry on top of their fine interiors! You’ll notice quite a few prints referencing horse racing and this is because the pub has strong connections with local renowned racehorse trainers. In terms of space, they have enough tables for a buzzing atmosphere when full but have ensured that it never feels cramped.
Outdoors, the decor is simple but immaculately kept to let the beautiful views do the talking. Their garden is also part covered which keeps the space open for outdoor drinks and dining even in drizzly weather.
Kid-friendly
10/10
On top of offering up a kid’s menu, the staff are really good with kids. Last time we visited the waiter did some magic tricks to entertain the boys which they loved!
It definitely didn’t feel awkward having three quite noisy children there with us which made the whole experience enjoyable all around.