The Mason's Arms

Our verdict

Reopened as part of the Country Creatures family, which includes the well-known Double Red Duke, the Mason's opened its doors in its current guise in October 2024 after a major refurbishment following the pub's purchase from Marston's. Formerly known as the Clanfield Tavern and boasting a long history of being a coaching inn, with parts of the building dating back to 1610, this is a pub that blends the traditional with the modern to great effect having been lovingly restored by owners Sam and Georgie Pearman, warmly reflecting its Cotswold setting with the bar crafted from reclaimed church panels. The sympathetic refurbishment has retained a lot of the building original charm, featuring flagstone floors, lime plaster walls, and heavily beamed ceilings. The food offer is eclectic, offering a mix of small plates, ranging from classics like prawn cocktail, through to salt pig charcuterie, while the mains offer a small but range of dishes ranging from the refined, through to polished classics like ham egg and chips - all of which is backed up by a wide range of specials on the pub's daily blackboard. Sunday roasts are a particular speciality, with some quirky twists on offer, including ham loin or smoked aubergine for the vegetarians. There's a strong emphasis on traditional British pub drinks, with tankards of Black Velvet served from a 1920s pewter oyster bar, and a strong and impressive selection of wines to tempt diners. Expansion plans are also in the works, with the pub recently applying for planning permission to convert the upper floor rooms into accommodation.

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