The duke had quite the reputation. According to legend, the duke was a 16th century farmer who gave much of his double red corn crop to Clanfield villagers.
Whether historic or folkloric, the duke’s memory lives on amid the tasteful flashes of red everywhere in this former farmhouse and inn, from the candy-striped parasols in the garden to his scarlet silhouette on the menu.
And it’s all rather lovely. So lovely, in fact, that it’s hard to bag one of the 19 Cotswolds-chic rooms in the latest addition to Georgie and Sam Pearman’s Country Creatures portfolio of hotels and restaurants.
Jane Knight, a Clanfield resident arrives at The Double Red Duke. She walks into a world that she doesn’t want to leave.
Jane discloses that Double Red Duke bedroom are separated between Jane and Jane, the older Tudor structure.
In categories ranging from cosy to family, the rooms ‘are all special’, writes Jane – ‘one with a red bathtub in a cosy nook, others opening on to the garden for dog-owners, and a duplex room with upstairs bathroom’
Georgie is an interior designer who has added patterns to wallpapers, headboards, and wood furniture to rooms that are separated by the Tudor-style building as well as the addition across the garage.
In categories ranging from cosy to family, they are all special – one with a red bathtub in a cosy nook, others opening on to the garden for dog-owners, and a duplex room with upstairs bathroom. You will find twin bunks behind a floral curtain in our family room, delicious cookies on the tray, and a big bathroom with tub and twin walkin showers.
It’s a perfect pub, with a shepherd’s hut spa in the garden and the joys of the Cotswolds just outside.
The Double Red Duke is part of Georgie and Sam Pearman’s Country Creatures portfolio of hotels and restaurants
Jane writes: ‘The car park is overflowing when we arrive just after lunch and walk into a world we don’t want to leave’
Activities on offer at the pub include curling up with the paper by the fire and sinking into a sofa to sample a tasty cocktail
Jane, who concludes the Double Red Duke Menu with flame-grilled fish and meat, is the star.
The car park is overflowing when we arrive just after lunch and walk into a world we don’t want to leave.
There are a number of comfy spots along the flagstone corridor that invite you to either curl up by the flames or relax on a couch to enjoy one of the delicious cocktails (we have both). The pub itself is on the opposite side, dimly lit by plush banquettes.
The back bar is lighter, and has bright red bars, wood floors, beams, and wooden floors. It leads to an open-air garden area with an open fire.
While there is pub grub on the menu, the main attraction of this restaurant are the flame-grilled meats and fish. Beware: it’s easy to rack up a large food bill here, and a cooked breakfast costs extra. The continental spread at the counter, which includes yogurt, overnight oats and sourdough, is quite decent.
Although you could eat anywhere, I think my son prefers the counter at the open-kitchen counter, as it allows us to enjoy our meal over the fire of charcoal, cherry or apple wood.
You can also relax in The Double Red Duke’s spa, the shepherd’s-hut spa
This pub got its name from an 16th century Clanfield farmer, who gave much of the double-red corn he grew away to the local villagers. Rooms cost from £120 per night
Food critics can’t get enough of this fodder, and you can see why, although the starter of wood-roasted scallops turns out to be a disappointment. My son declares his porterhouse, recommended for two, the ‘best steak ever’ and goes on to plough his way through sticky toffee pudding.
Perfectly cooked turbot comes with delicious barbecue hispi cabbage, miso butter and purple sprouting broccoli.
The experience is so wonderful that, the next morning, after an hour-long jog down to the Thames Path along with a round of Scrabble at the campfire, we wonder about Sunday roasts being cooked in the kitchen.
Too late – yet again, there’s no more room at the inn.