Kelmscott, Oxfordshire

Where Countryside Meets Craft

A storied Oxfordshire inn where the fire is always lit and the menu always worth the journey.

Tucked into the famously pretty village of Kelmscott in the Oxfordshire countryside, The Plough is the kind of inn that makes you wonder why you ever bothered with a flight. This 17th-century stone inn, brought to life by chef Sebastian Snow and styled with quiet elegance by Miranda Snow, wears its heritage lightly — flagstone floors and roaring fires ground you firmly in the pastoral English tradition, while the kitchen pushes things firmly into the present. With just eight rooms, the sense of intimacy is genuine rather than contrived, and guests are treated less like visitors than like particularly lucky friends of the family.

The food is the beating heart of The Plough. Sebastian Snow's daily-changing menu is a love letter to local produce, the kind of cooking that lets the landscape speak directly to the plate. Expect dishes that shift with the seasons and the market, keeping return visits endlessly rewarding. This is destination dining in the truest sense — the sort of lunch that stretches effortlessly into dinner, accompanied by something good from the cellar and the particular satisfaction of knowing you never have to drive far to sleep.

For couples seeking a restorative escape, or dedicated food lovers in search of somewhere that genuinely earns its place on the map, The Plough at Kelmscott delivers with grace and without fuss. The village itself — immortalised by William Morris, who called Kelmscott home — adds a layer of romantic, artistic history that only deepens the appeal. Book before word gets out any further.

Notable Features

What Sets It Apart

Sebastian Snow chef
8 rooms
Daily changing menu
Flagstone floors
Roaring fires
Miranda Snow design

Gallery

Inside & Out

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 1

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 2

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 3

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 4

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 5

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 6

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 7

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 8

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 9

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 10

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 11

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 12

The Plough at Kelmscott — interior and exterior view 13

Guest Voices

What They Say

“Everything You’d Want from a Country Inn. We had a fantastic stay from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we knew we’d chosen the right place thanks to the warm, welcoming atmosphere that instantly made us feel at home. Enjoying a beer and wine by the open fire was the perfect start to the evening. Dinner was superb — the homemade steak pie and pork chop were both absolutely delicious. Having everything added to a tab made checkout effortless. The room was immaculately clean, beautifully decorated, with a powerful hot shower and an incredibly comfortable bed. We honestly couldn’t fault the place and would happily return.”

Rob5/5

“We just loved our stay in The Plough. Location was wonderful. Staff were so attentive a special mention to the Lady that seemed to be running the place Trudy. Her care and assistance were exemplary. She is a credit to the Hotel. Secondly a young lady by the name of Olivia, she was able to interact with customers and make each person feel special. The hotel was comfortable almost a chocolate box place. Quiet with some good walks. We would love to return for our second wedding anniversary.”

Bill Harrow5/5

“Lovely setting, but let down by basic maintenance issues Lovely location and an attractive old property. The room itself looked nice, was very warm, and the bed was very comfortable. The bathroom and shower also looked great on first inspection. Unfortunately, things went downhill quickly. When my partner went to shower, the bathroom door lock was broken, the handle then came off in her hand, and within a minute the shower cubicle flooded, with water pooling across the bathroom floor. She had to stop mid-shower, and I couldn’t shower at all, which was disappointing as we’d been hiking earlier that day and really needed it. There were a few other small but noticeable issues: the room windows need attention, the water bottle had no top, and there was only one teabag provided. Breakfast was good overall, but we didn’t get toast and had to ask for orange juice. Overall, this could have been a great stay, but the maintenance problems let it down badly. Would I stay again? Probably not.”

A Newman3/5

“We had a pleasant stay overall. The room was standard but nice, very clean, and comfortable for what we needed. The breakfast service really stood out — excellent variety and great service from the staff. Everything was well organized and welcoming, making our stay easy and enjoyable. Would happily stay again.”

ASWIN MANOHARAN K5/5

“Two night stay and couldn't have been more perfect, gorgeous little Inn, lovely spotless room, delicious breakfast and evening meal, rural location with very little in immediate vicinity but perfect base for venturing out by car. Trudy, despite being virtually on her own due to staff sickness/annual leave was always smiling, engaging and tending to everyone's needs. Would definitely recommend !”

vicki richardson5/5