A couple of weeks ago I took my Mum for lunch at The Trout Inn in Wolvercote, Oxford. I missed Mother’s Day this year as I was travelling back from Edinburgh and so this was a delayed Mother’s Day treat at my Mum’s favourite spot in Oxford. This wasn’t my first visit to The Trout Inn – my family live in Oxfordshire and so we go at least once a year!
The Trout Inn is a beautiful 17th Century pub right on the bank of the river Thames just outside the historical village of Wolvercote in Oxford. A pub full of charm which has recently been refurbished to a high standard. The Trout Inn is dog-friendly too although best to keep them on a leash as there are always ducks waddling around outside and there’s even a resident peacock! There used to be two, but I believe one was attacked by a fox : (
The grounds of The Trout Inn are fantastic with riverside views wherever you sit. As the weather is so unpredictable in the UK, luckily the interior of the pub is just as welcoming as the outside! It was great to see that the restaurant garden was set up just in case the April showers ended and there were a brave few who took shelter under one of the large parasols. In fact, I remember having my 30th Birthday lunch here a few years ago… it was July and there was a huge downpour, yet we stayed dry sitting outside!
I’ve become a huge fan of naturally flavouring my own water with oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, mint – whatever’s in the house! I loved this touch of having a water station so people can quench their thirst after a walk in the Oxfordshire countryside. Definitely an idea for my upcoming Wedding too!
This time we had a table booked inside – you need to book a table at The Trout Inn. It gets very busy at the weekends and you can wait for a long time if you don’t make a reservation. In the summer months you can often get a table outside but it’s worth coming early in case you need to wait for a spot to become available.
The food is delicious – freshly prepared gastro pub fare with daily specials. I always love ordering from the specials menu as you tend to get seasonal produce and get to try something different – I wasn’t disappointed! We ordered the fisherman’s platter to share as a starter. It included sloe gin smoked salmon, salmon caviar, crayfish cocktail in bloody mary ketchup, salt & pepper squid, smoked mackerel, aioli, Devon crab mayonnaise and toasted rustic bread. It was sooo good, I could have eaten this again as a main course!
For our main meals my Mum ordered a small portion of the king prawn, crab and chorizo linguine. Having the option to order a smaller sized portion is ideal if you’re on a Mother of the Bride diet… or just want to order some sweet potato fries on the side ; ) I went for the catch of the day – chargrilled trout with a fresh and spicy carrot salad… and sweet potato fries on the side! It was delicious and we ate every morsel.
Neither my Mum nor I have a huge sweet tooth and we tend to want something little as a desert, or end up sharing one. We couldn’t quite decide which desert to share and our waitress suggested going for the coffee and mini desert option. The deserts were the perfect size for us – we went for a lemon tart and a raspberry crème brûlée.
It was lovely to spend some time with my Mum without little kiddies running around causing chaos. And even though we talk a lot on the phone and via skype – I still love going back to Oxfordshire and spending time together!
The Trout Inn is a real gem as it’s in such a picturesque location and just a stone’s throw from the Oxford city centre. And if you sign up to their mailing list then they’ll give you a free G&T with your dinner – yum!
Natalia xo
