The Duke at Clifton

We stayed in one of the shepherds huts via Buyagift, it exceeded expectations. Lovely and warm with the log burner, comfy double bed, toilet inside, towels + blanket + shower gel etc provided, use of the shower facilities 24/7 in the pub on the campsite. We ate at the Duke at Clifton in the evening, very friendly staff and nice food. We visited Bicester village the next day which is 20 mins away. Really recommend for a romantic getaway, thank you!

This review reflects our visit which may not be the same as others. We chose this two night, off season getaway to avoid the crowds and traffic and explore Oxfordshire. We stayed in the Shepherds Retreat, a fully equipped self-catering shepherds hut located at the back of the pub in their small campsite. Parking is plentiful and free and we'd received instructions on how to get into the hut prior to arrival. The hut was equipped with double bed, bedding and towels, microwave, fridge and kitchen accessories. There's a cassette toilet. Theres a solid fuel burner to provide heat which, once going, is very effective. The hut was clean and comfortable. The short walk to the pub and shower area is a little muddy in places (Storm Ciaron didnt help!) so bring flipflops! Showers were clean, hot and modern. The view from the hut overlooked some fields and was very peaceful. The pub itself is a thatched, honey-stoned building with a great history. It has a wide menu and choice of drinks. All the staff were attentive and welcoming. The food was excellent. The traditional pub menu is enhanced by skilled cooking and presentation. The grounds of the campsite have some unusual features including a Second World War era spotter plane and various US style camper vans (Im sure these can be rented for stays). The location is great for exploring the local area including Blenheim Palace, Oxford and the local villages. All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in quirky, cosy accommodation in the grounds of this great pub. Highly recommended.

I stayed in Room 6. Lovely cosy room with a good sized bathroom. It had been an extremely hot day so knew the room would be warm. For some reason I couldn’t get any of the main room lights to work. Neither the main light or the two bedside table lamps. Did search for a main switch. Had to leave the window ope, blind is a bit wonky but I don’t mind some light coming through. Worst thing is the noise of the large air con unit. Didn’t really sleep just dozed as it switches itself on and off all night and really noisy. Think my friend got the better deal sleeping in my camper van in the quiet field. Did book as dog friendly thinking I could have my dog with me but that wasn’t the case, he was allowed in the bar area and camp site. Couldn’t fault the welcome and helpful staff. Very friendly place. Just a shame about the air con unit.

I stayed here for one night on the 23rd August. On arrival the staff were very pleasant, got me checked in, and ensured I had the door code and lock box code for the room. I then had dinner in the pub. The pub is really pleasant, wooden beams and flagstones give it a lovely country pub feeling. The food was simple but tasty, and the service was good. I then retired to the room about 8.30pm. Now the room was very hot, but it was a hot day so this was sort of expected. I watched a little tv, and the tried to sleep. This is where the issue I had with this stay began. The room is small but entirely adequate. With the en-suite too it should be perfect for a short stay. Firstly, while the room and bathroom looked clean, there were two long dark hairs in the bath (see pics) On a white bath they’re very visible and not hard to remove. The blind on the window was also not very fit for purpose. The main issue: Outside the room they’ve installed what I think is a walk in fridge, and they have placed the heat pump for this on top, so it’s around window level with Room 6 where I was staying. This unit is noisy. Due to this I shut the window and tried to sleep. I possibly managed a few hours at most but it was just too hot and I had to open the window. Doing so meant the noise was now the main issue. And my night was spent just resting rather than sleeping as the heat pump kicked in noisily for about 30s, EVERY FEW MINUTES. In the end I got up early and left feeling like a zombie. Surely someone must know about this? It was like torture. If I was staying for 2 nights, I would have asked to move or leave, if I’d realised earlier how bad it was going to be I’d have asked if they had another room. It’s a shame I wasn’t able to feedback in person. My advice is to avoid room 6 if you do stay here. Anyway, safe to say I won’t ever stay here again. I would however stop for food or drink as stated earlier, the actual pub was quite nice.

We went here for dinner on a Saturday evening and we were really impressed. We all chose from the specials board and between us there was all 3 courses. The staff were really friendly and helpful. The pub itself is really nice and the tables are all spaced apart nicely so you're not all crammed in. Will definitely return.

Staff pleasant, very clean. It did the job for us but room no 6 isn't fab, I'd imagine on a hot night having to keep the window open is very noisy. Food choice very poor for vegans, luckily the Red Lion at Deddington had amazing food. Would have expected to pay less for such a small room, very noisy floorboards everywhere, en suite was good tbf and it was all very clean.

We stayed here one night whilst walking the Oxford Canal. Unfortunately the pub is closed on Mondays and who can begrudge them a day off. The room was really cosy and had all we needed. Sadly they do not do breakfast but they pointed this out to us before we booked and suggested the Brew Box a little down the road. So all in all a good stay and would go there again many thanks x

Stayed in one of the shepherds huts. Scruffy,needs a good refurbishment, kitchen unit looked like something off the scrap heap, no washing facilities even when you use the cassette toilet, one gas ring and small microwave, two odd metal mugs, two odd glasses, little cooking equipment or plates, water bowser turned out to be a large glass jar with a tap which you couldn't get the kettle under , kettle dribbled, door had big splits and gaps round the frame. Didn't feel clean. Didn't stay for second night. Pub closed so we can't comment. Showers ok but could do with shower mats as very slippery.

Absolutely fantastic. Food was great. Pub was also very nice