Volunteer Inn, Lower High Street, CHIPPING CAMPDEN, GL55 6DY [Map]
01386 840688 
11:30-15, 17-23 MO-SA; 12-15, 19-22.30 SU
Accommodation, Evening Meals, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Quiet Bar

AJ at the door of the Volunteer Inn, October 1999

Winner of the 1998 CAMRA County Pub of the Year this Cotswold stone inn is a thriving community pub which first opened its doors back in 1709 though it only became known as the Volunteer Inn in the 1840's. There's a lounge bar at the front and a very busy wood-panelled public bar to the rear with a games room. Behind the pub there's a small courtyard and pleasant garden with hop bines and a small stream at the very end of the garden. The pub is a couple of minutes walk down the main street from the historic market hall in the centre of Chipping Campden.

Up to five perfectly served real ales are on offer including Stanney Bitter (abv. 4.5%) a very bitter beer brewed by the local Stanway brewery. It's more a pint to sip to enjoy than to consume large volumes of. Two of the beers are guest beers too so you never quite know what they'll have available.

Food is served at lunchtimes and during the evening. We visited for Sunday lunch and our roast dinners appeared within two minutes of ordering it, all freshly cooked with a good selection of vegetables. Very friendly service too and generous portions. All the usual pub dishes are available on the menu such as ploughmans etc...