The beautiful Cotswolds village with just 400 residents that has 'the best pub in England'

A Georgian pub perched on a hillside in the centre of a charming Cotswolds village has been lauded as "almost certainly the best pub in England" by a top food writer. The Horse and Groom is the watering hole of Bourton-on-the-Hill in Gloucestershire, named by Savills last year as one of the country's "most desirable" villages.

New owners Nathan Eades and Liam Goff, who previously ran a critically acclaimed gastropub in Cheltenham, are said to have breathed new life into the pub. So much so, that restaurant reviewer Giles Coren of The Times, who previously gave a mixed review about the same pub in 2016, has awarded it 10 out 10 across all fields of cooking, service and location - despite the village being a hub of fewer than 400 people.

Dining out with his family, Coren said they enjoyed an 'immense' meal with starters of Atlantic prawn cocktail, monkfish scampi and Scotch egg. He hailed the double cheeseburger main course as a 'hip and sticky masterpiece of its kind' and a ham hock as akin to 'Jesus rising again on the third day', Wales Online reports.

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New owners Nathan Eades and Liam Goff, who previously ran a critically acclaimed gastropub in Cheltenham, are said to have breathed new life into the pub (Image: The Horse and Groom)

In 2016, The Horse and Groom was given a nod in the Good Pub Guide, but in his own review of the same year, Coren said he found the food to be 'pretty average'. Now, with Eades and Goff in charge, Coren said: "With their immense cooking bolted on to the rambling old space and fantastic gardens, [it is] almost certainly the best pub in England.

"It has not changed much inside, nor should it. It is lived-in and lovely, but on a rare warm summer's day we busted through into the two-tiered garden, with its mature trees and shrubs and shaggy lawns, and... we climbed to the high lawn and a not too guano-spattered picnic table under a tree.

Giles Coren hailed the double cheeseburger main course (pictured) as a "hip and sticky masterpiece of its kind" and a ham hock as akin to "Jesus rising again on the third day" (Image: The Horse and Groom)

"Eating outside I can take or leave. But eating under a tree - the dappled shade, the birdsong, the faint insect hum, the view over yellow stone buildings, old slate roofs, bent chimneys, cobalt skies, fields slowly browning to the harvest, all framed by a good, sharp privet hedge - that is truly living. The English rural pub is the greatest of all things on earth and the Horse and Groom is perhaps its apogee."

Coren is the son of famed journalist Alan Coren and brother of television presenter Victoria Coren-Mitchell. A widely respected restaurant critic, his scores have radically improved since his 2016 review, when he gave the establishment a score of seven out of 10 for cooking, six out of 10 for table service, and a mere five out of 10 for atmosphere.

Speaking to Cotswold Journal, new owner Nathan Eades said: "We haven't made any seismic changes, all we've really done is add a new lick of paint. We have also tried to tidy it up and dump as much love into the pub as we can. Not much needed changing, to be honest.

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"We have good wine and a good environment and we have been highly encouraged by what we have seen so far. It's been a good first few days and hopefully it's only going to get better."

What's on the menu at The Horse and Groom?

Here are a few examples of a sample menu at the Horse and Groom

Starters

Atlantic prawn cocktail, buttermilk soda bread and butter, Bloody Mary sauce £11.50

Marinated Evesham tomatoes, bitter leaves, burrata, basil pesto £11.50

Monkfish scampi, saffron aioli, pickled shallot and watercress salad £11.50

24-month-old Comte and Donnington ale rarebit on OandB sourdough toast £9.50

Beef fillet carpaccio, wasabi mayonnaise, parmesan and rocket salad £11

Main courses

Double baked 24-month-old Comte cheese souffle, house salad £19

Double cheeseburger, Otis and Belle brioche bun, house fries £18

Huntsham Farm sausages, creamed potatoes, buttered cavolo nero, onion gravy £21

Glazed ham hock for two, Cacklebean eggs, house fries £19.50 pp

Desserts

Black treacle and date pudding, clotted cream £9.50

Tiramisu, our style £10.50

Lemon posset, strawberry compote, crushed meringue £10

Affogato, pistachio biscotti £7

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New family friendly South London pub opens with covered garden and pizza oven

There's nothing we Brits love more than a good pub to sit down and enjoy. Now a new family-friendly pub in South London has just opened with a delicious new menu and many exciting features.

The new pub in Tooting used to be known as the Manor Bar Tooting but after investment into the pub it was renovated to become the Tooting Tavern. Opening on July 18, the pub has created 15 new jobs for the local area and hopes to be a new big feature for locals.

The Tooting Tavern's renovation is perfect for all to enjoy especially this summer. There is a new pizza oven in the garden that will see a delicious addition to the menu, along with many other fun food-themed nights like burger night, steak night, seasonal specials and Sunday roasts every week.

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The Tooting Tavern used to be known as Manor Bar Tooting (Image: The Tooting Tavern)

The back garden is also covered - helpful with the amount of rain we have had - and has a new decked seating area and TV outside showing all the sports. The drinks offerings now include an ever-changing craft beer range, rotating cask ales, new cocktails, and weekly drink deals on cocktails, shots, and fizz.

There will be a weekly quiz held every Thursday along with weekly live music events. The pub is aimed to be family and dog-friendly meaning that everyone can enjoy it.

To celebrate becoming The Tooting Tavern, the pub will be hosting a free entry family fun day on Saturday, July 27, from 12-3 pm, featuring free food and drinks, outdoor games with prizes, face painting, a balloon maker, a DJ, make-your-own pizza sessions, and pop-ups from other local businesses.

You can find the Tooting Tavern at Tooting High St, Greater, London SW17 0SF

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Group of boys on Brixton estate targeted in 'drive-by shooting'

Police are investigating after a gun was fired at a Brixton estate, with a group of boys reportedly the targets. Met Police officers raced to Adelaide Close on the Moorlands Estate at 9.25pm yesterday (Wednesday, July 17) to reports of gunfire.

Police found a bullet shell on the floor when they arrived in Brixton. Witnesses reported a man opened fire on a group of boys with a handgun. There were no injuries or arrests made so far.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “An investigation is under way after a firearm was discharged in a residential street in Lambeth. Police were called at 9.24pm on Wednesday, July 17, to reports of a firearm being discharged in Adelaide Close.

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“Officers attended and found one bullet shell at the site. Witnesses say that a male with a handgun in a vehicle shot at a group of boys who were on the street.

“There were no injuries. No arrests have been made at this time. Enquiries into the circumstances continue.”

Detective Inspector Raymond Sekalongo from Trident said: “We would like to reassure the public that our investigation is moving forwards as we look to identify those responsible for this firearm discharge. We take gun crime very seriously and will use every resource to keep the public safe.”

The Met Police tweeted earlier today (July 18) that a Section 60 is in place covering much of Lambeth and Southwark from 3pm today until 2.59pm tomorrow (July 19).

Anyone with information should call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD8233/17JUL. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Sewage alerts in place at dozens of beaches near London ahead of 32C heatwave

Sewage alerts are in place at dozens of beaches across the South East ahead of a 32C mini-heatwave. The mercury is expected to soar for the remainder of the week after a rather disappointing start to the summer.

But Londoners who are heading to the seaside to make the most of this weather might want to look away now. Current reports from Surfers Against Sewage show sewage alerts are in place for 31 beaches across Essex, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire.

This means storm sewage from a sewer overflow has been discharged into the sea at each of these locations during the past 48 hours. Charity Surfers Against Sewage posted the alerts on their website following a period of stormy weather across the UK.

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Southend, Whitstable and Hove are among the beaches affected, while alerts are also in place for Worthing, Bognor Regis and Chichester. Sussex in particular appears to be badly impacted by sewage releases, with the area accounting for 15 alerts in place.

31 sewage alerts are in place across the South East (Image: Surfers Against Sewage)

The alert in place for Hove reads: "Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location within the past 48 hours. Hove Lawn, Brighton is part of the large seaside resort stretch of Brighton and Hove, it is a steeply sloping, pebble beach that flattens out to sand at low tide.

"A promenade with resort facilities backs the beach. The bathing water may be affected by a sewer overflow that discharges at nearby Brighton Pier."

The heatwave is expected to reach its height on Frida, July 19 as the mercury climbs to 32C in London. This is followed by highs of 28C in Saturday and 24C on Sunday.

Temperatures then somewhat return to normal next week with highs of about 23C expected at the start of the week. The Met Office outlook for Friday to Sunday reads: "Settled weather with plenty of hazy sunshine over the coming days, staying dry aside from Saturday where there's a risk of showers, perhaps thundery. Warm or very warm, locally hot."

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Major West London road to partially close for nearly 3 months from this weekend

One of the busiest roads in London will be partially closed from Sunday, July 21, until mid-October for "critical safety maintenance work", Transport for London (TfL) has warned. The A40 Westway in West London will be part closed from 10pm on Sunday.

TfL say that the structures which carry the Wood Lane flyover to the Marylebone flyover date back 55 years to 1969 and are reaching the end of their serviceable life. Therefore, TfL say: "They require safety critical maintenance to ensure they remain safe and can continue to serve Londoners for decades to come."

During the works, TfL will replace four joints providing support to the slip roads to the A40. Two separate phases of work will be carried out, which are outlined in full further down this story.

READ MORE:Part of London Overground to be closed for 16 days starting this weekend

Routes around the A40 will be extremely busy during the works, TfL has warned. Drivers should plan ahead and use alternative routes if possible.

Works will be paused during Notting Hill Carnival, as TfL pledges to minimise disruption. Stuart Harvey, TfL's Chief Capital Officer, said: "We're determined to ensure a safe and well-maintained road network can play a full role in enabling Londoners to travel across the capital.

"These ageing 1960s structures are reaching the end of their serviceable life and road closures are essential if we are to ensure they can continue to serve Londoners for decades to come. We recognise that these closures will have a significant impact on people travelling in the area and are working hard to minimise disruption as much as possible, including by rescheduling other work and reviewing traffic signals.

"I'd like to thank people in the area for their patience and would encourage everyone to plan ahead for any journeys in the area."

Below are the two phases of the improvement work, including key dates and which roads will be closed. Diversion routes will also be issued once the works begin.

Phase one

From 10pm on Sunday, July 21 through to Thursday, August 22

Eastbound slip road from Westway roundabout and A3220 West Cross route southbound between the Westway Roundabout and the Holland Park Roundabout will be closed to all traffic.

Phase two

From Monday, September 2 to mid-October 2024

The westbound on slip from the A3220 West Cross Route to the A40 Westway via the Westway Roundabout will be closed. The A3220 West Cross Route from Holland Park Roundabout to the Westway Roundabout will also be closed to northbound traffic.

Got a story for us? Email anna.willis@reachplc.com.

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East Ham fire claims third victim as another child dies in hospital after Newham incident

A third child has died after a devastating fire in a family home in East Ham. Two children had already been pronounced dead following the blaze in Newham, East London on Saturday (July 13).

On Monday (July 15), Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, announced on X that a third victim had tragically died in hospital. She wrote: "It's with a heavy & broken heart I post this message. Earlier this evening, we found out that a third precious child from the family affected by the fire has now passed away in hospital today. A further statement will be issued soon."

Neighbours spoke of throwing bricks at the windows of the home in Napier Road after the fire broke out just before 8.30am. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

READ MORE: Neighbours 'threw bricks' at windows to try and save family as fire raged

About 40 firefighters battled the flames during the incident, which claimed the life of one child at the scene while a second child died in hospital overnight on Saturday before the third died just over a day later. Two adults and a fourth child were also taken to hospital.

Their current condition is not known however on Sunday it was reported that one of the adults and one of the children were in a serious condition.

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Euro 2024 final: Prince William and Prince George cheer on England in Berlin but Prince Louis stays home

Prince William and Prince George have been spotted in Germany, eagerly awaiting the Euro 2024 finals tonight. However, the youngest royal, Prince Louis, is noticeably absent.

The father-son duo were seen grinning from ear to ear as they took their seats at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The young prince, who will be celebrating his 11th birthday soon, was visibly thrilled as he watched the English and Spanish players warm up on the pitch.

Prince Louis did not accompany his father and older brother, likely due to the late timing of the match which would surpass the six year old's bedtime. A video posted by the official Kensington Royal account shows William and George making their grand entrance into the Olympiastadion Berlin via a red carpet.

READ MORE: England's best dressed fans line London's streets ahead of Euros 2024 final

Brits have expressed their joy at seeing the two royals ahead of the game (Image: Getty Images)

Brits have expressed their joy at seeing the two royals ahead of the game, with many responding to the post online. One social media user commented: "They look well and ready for the game."

Another added: "Enjoy the match Prince William and Prince George, I hope it's very special night for Prince George and a memory everlasting.", reports the Mirror.

One user also noted that it was "brilliant" to see Sir Keir Starmer alongside the royals in Berlin, stating: "Brilliant to see Prince William and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Berlin."

However, some fans missed the presence of Prince Louis, who has always been a favourite among Royal watchers. One fan said: "Ok, they showed the king of Spain and Prince William, now show Louis."

Following in the footsteps of Kate, the Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte who were spotted at the Wimbledon finals hours earlier - Louis was notably absent from this sporting event as well.

The 42 year old Princess received a standing ovation upon her arrival at the venue, marking only her second public appearance since spring. Kensington Palace had previously disclosed that doctors found traces of cancer during an abdominal procedure earlier this year, leading to several months of treatment for the Royal.

Her last public outing was at Trooping the Colour, the King's official birthday celebration, in June. She was seen on the Buckingham Palace balcony with her husband and three children after a carriage procession down the mall to the official residence.

Her presence at Trooping the Colour was viewed as a reassuring sign to the public that she is recovering.

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