PUBS
Landlords Jim and Claire Alexander left successful careers in the music business in 2007 to fulfill their lifetime dream of running a country pub, which they found in the shape of The Ebrington Arms - a village inn that had been serving the good people of Ebrington since the 1640s.
In 2012 Jim and Claire also purchased, renovated and re-opened The Killingworth Castle, a previously derelict17th century coaching inn located just a few miles from Oxfordshire's magnificent Blenheim Palace.
Two years later they launched their own craft beer range, under the banner of The Yubberton Brewing Co. The three ales, all brewed in the Cotswolds, are available at The Ebrington Arms, The Killingworth Castle and several other local pubs.
The Ebrington Arms, Near Chipping Campden
The Ebrington Arms has for the past decade been one of the Cotswolds most celebrated pubs, eateries and B&Bs. Now, according to The Times, it's the UK's number 1 village pub...
Although keen to grow the business and greatly expand its reach, both Jim and Claire’s priority was to retain the pub’s role in the community while sourcing the bulk of the produce the serve from local suppliers – or more accurately, the pub’s locals.
A baptism by fire would be an understatement for the task they undertook, but they’ve since renovated the pub and its five B&B rooms and have greatly increased the capacity of the restaurant – not to mention picking up awards including two AA Rosettes for seven consecutive years and the award for CAMRA North Cotswold 'pub of the year' three years running and four years as runner-up.
The Killingworth Castle, Near Woodstock
The 17th century coaching inn - located just a few miles from the magnificent Blenheim Palace and the picturesque village of Woodstock - had lay derelict for over year after years of brewery-owned neglect.
An extensive program of renovations followed before the pub opened its doors for business once again in the autumn of 2012.
The Killingworth Castle has since gone from strength to strength, picking up numerous awards and glowing reviews for its innovative yet accessible approach to high-end cuisine and its discreet yet welcoming ambience.
In 2015, the Killingworth Castle’s adjoining barn buildings were sumptuously converted into eight luxury bed and breakfast rooms.