Harden's survey result
Summary
“Quality you wouldn’t expect deep in the countryside” means Julie Griffith’s “charming, but off-the-beaten-track country pub/restaurant in the Chilterns” (impossible to find before the advent of satnav) is “a real treat” that’s “worth a detour” and has a big, long-term fan club extending all the way into London (from which it’s a welcome weekend ‘run out’). It’s “such a lovely building” always with “a warm and welcoming atmosphere”, bolstered by “beautiful gardens from spring to autumn; and with cosy log fires in the winter”. There’s the odd background quibble of food that “sounds great on paper but falls short at the price” or a slight feeling of “complacency”. These are drowned out for the most part though by more typical reports of “consistently good and excellent food” and a feeling that “Julie runs the place superbly”. “Never fails to impress…” – “never a disappointment here in over 27 years and possibly 60 occasions!”
Summary
“Well worth the journey” down the M4 and then through winding Chilterns countryside (or, of course, you can just drop in using the helipad in the garden) – Julie Griffith’s “lovely” rural gastropub has proved an amazingly enduring destination. “Julie herself is still doing a wonderful job after all these years” and curates a “very homey and informal” interior style that might seem “rough and ready” were it not so tasteful. “The food is original and very delicious (but not cheap!)” and there’s an “excellent wine list” too. And with its “beautiful setting” and garden, it’s particularly “fantastic on a sunny day”.
Summary
“Always worth the slightly tortuous drive to the ‘back of beyond’”, Julie Griffith’s Chilterns gastropub “hasn’t really changed much (other than the sofa cushions) in over 25 years”, but when that means “beautiful food in beautiful surroundings” (“lovely cosy log fires in winter, wonderful garden for outdoor dining in the summer”) no one seems to mind.
Summary
“Always worth the slightly tortuous drive to the ‘back of beyond’”, Julie Griffith’s Chilterns gastropub “hasn’t really changed much (other than the sofa cushions) in over 25 years”, but when that means “beautiful food in beautiful surroundings” (“lovely cosy log fires in winter, wonderful garden for outdoor dining in the summer”) no one seems to mind.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Sir Charles Napier?
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £25.00 | £30.00 |  |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £16.30 | £31.30 | £6.50 | £14.00 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £28.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The Sir Charles Napier Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Good value set lunch menu and a serious wine list. "
"tremendous setting, perfect for a lunch stop off M40. If you get a chance to eat outside when the weather is good, take it!"
"LOvely day, lunch on the terrace, a warm welcome and an excellent lunch"
Spriggs Alley, Chinnor, OX39 4BX
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm |
