The Mason's Arms makes tiny village Clanfield a destination - Review - Cotswolds - The Infatuation
"The Mason’s Arms is less pub and more a warren. One occupied by a wine collector rabbit with classy William Morris wallpaper and the ability to make a mean black velvet. This sprawl of higgeldy-piggeldy, interconnecting rooms is The Double Red Duke’s sister spot. And it keeps an eye on its younger, more unruly sibling from right across the road in Clanfield—a tiny, charming village that, come evening, is filled with mud-splattered Land Rovers and Porsches pulled up on grassy verges. Trend-seekers and those at the end of long shifts flock to The Mason’s Arms for comforting British pub classics that have had serious glow-ups. You should do the same. photo credit: The Mason’s Arms You can book where you want to sit in this mini-labyrinth. And here’s the cheat code: pint-drinkers retreat to The Snug, sinking into leather armchairs beside roaring fireplaces. Families celebrating birthdays book out the semi-private Card Room and in the Dining Room, groups split plates of fatty locally cured charcuterie and hunks of Blake’s bread in wooden booths. photo credit: The Mason's Arms photo credit: The Mason's Arms photo credit: The Mason's Arms Pause Unmute When it comes to the food, expect typical British pub dishes—a plate of chipolatas, ham, egg, and chips, a cheeseburger. But at The Mason’s Arms that means a dollop of mustardy mayo with your meaty sausages, smoky ham thick enough to wedge open doors, and a cheeseburger so buttery and juicy it requires a stack of napkins. It’s tasty enough for special occasions but won’t alienate the grumbling family member who thinks a pub “should still be a pub”. Food Rundown Salt Pig Charcuterie, Cornichons & Bread This meaty spread doesn’t involve any cooking, but it proves that The Mason’s Arms is great at sourcing locally. We appreciate that Salt Pig’s salami is garlicky and peppery, and the cured, spiced loin has plenty of sweet, buttery, fatty bits. Blake’s sourdough is a great choice too. The crust is crunchy, the bread springy and soft, and there’s a pleasant but not overwhelming sourdough tang. photo credit: The Mason's Arms Chipolatas Perfectly tasty, but there’s nothing particularly memorable about these chipolatas. You only get four as well, so if you’re rolling with a group you’ll end up awkwardly splitting sausages. And nobody wants that. photo credit: The Mason’s Arms Cheeseburger A burger that should come with a life raft and a towel. It’s so juicy. There are two smashpatties with crispy edges, a pile of sweet, jammy onions, and a mayo with a pleasant bit of heat to it. The bun manages to hold up until the last bite—a minor miracle. Ham, Egg, & Chips The ham, egg, and chips is a regularly occurring special and if it’s on, you should get it. It’s the thickest slab of ham we’ve ever been served and has a nice smoky sweetness. The chips are perfect—with a good crunch but light, fluffy centres. photo credit: The Mason’s Arms Half A Roast Chicken, Onions & Bacon A dish that proves when chicken has golden, crispy skin, moist meat, and chunky bacon lardons scattered over it, there’s really nothing better. This comes in a skillet and we’d recommend a side of chips for gravy-mopping purposes. photo credit: The Mason’s Arms" - Sinéad Cranna
