The Cherry Tree Inn Stoke Row | A Review

With the festivities of Christmas well and truly behind us, things can get a little dreary in January. One thing we love to do to beat the January blues is to head out to a local pub and indulge in some tasty food! Luckily in Oxfordshire we are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to cosy lunch destinations. We decided to go to the Cherry Tree Inn Stoke Row to try somewhere a bit different. Plus, it meant we could sit by the fire and tuck into some great food. Here is our review of this hidden gem.

Getting to the Cherry Tree Inn Stoke Row

The Cherry Tree Inn is in the village of Stoke Row. It is just a stone-throw away from Henley-on-Thames and is around a 15 minute journey. The village itself is in the middle of some impressive woodlands, which are perfect for seeing Spring flowers, especially bluebells.

The roads to Stoke Row are off the beaten track. I do not think that they are too bad, but be prepared for some proper country roads. The route is also not the most clearly laid out. From Henley, head towards Nettlebed via Peppard. Eventually, you will see signs when you go into the village of Highmoor.

When you get to the village, continue along the main road. I love this village and there is an excellent cafe just opposite the pub (for future reference). There is a fair amount of parking at the Cherry Tree Inn. However, if you are arriving late, there is plenty of parking on the road.

The Venue

If you are looking for an authentic pub, the Cherry Tree Inn Stoke Row is a prime option. The building is old and oozes charm and sophistication. The bar is cosy and warm, with a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.

For food, there are plenty of rooms tucked away from the main bar area. We were placed in a room just off it and felt that we had our own private space to enjoy our day out. The walls are decorated with paintings and art showcasing the local area. As it is not too far from Henley, there are plenty of homages to the Thames.

I personally like the classic pub vibe, especially this time of year. It felt cosy and homely, which always adds a lot to the meal. The Cherry Tree Inn has got this vibe entirely nailed.

The Food

Onto the main event now! The menu at the Cherry Tree Inn Stoke Row is pretty comprehensive, especially on a Saturday. There are choices of classic pub dishes and baguettes. What I love most though is their dedication to local businesses. There is cheese from the Nettlebed Creamery and bread from Imma the Bakery, both of which I adore.

Because we clearly have no imagination, we went for their burger. One of these days I promise we will review other food! The burger was served with a generous portion of chips and was loaded with veggies and Nettlebed cheese. The patty was also freshly prepared and homemade. The result was a very tasty burger. I also liked that the bun was slightly sweet and that the Nettlebed cheese added a wonderful tang. There was also a pot of baconnaise, which added to the dish brilliantly.

I was left pretty impressed with the main course and, as always, there was room for dessert! Because it was -1 outside, we decided to go for the warming sticky toffee pudding. It was served in toffee sauce and a salted caramel ice cream. It was light and spongy and the sauce was warm and sweet. The ice cream was also really tasty and added an extra layer of flavour to the dessert.

The food overall was really good and I am sure that there is more to discover! We went with family and the other dishes, such as fish and chips, bangers and mash, and eggs with ham looked lovely. More importantly, they all had raving reviews from the table!

Service and Pricing

The service was friendly and it was clear that all of the people took pride in their work. I felt that, more than many of the places I have been to recently, our waitresses and waiters really made an effort to speak with us. It was a stellar service and I left feeling very impressed. Well done team!

The food was on the pricier side (£20 for the burger). Because of the local ingredients, I can understand the higher price. However, cheaper options are available and this is not a budget restaurant. Would I say that the price is worth it – yes I would.

The Verdict

If you are looking for a classical pub lunch in a friendly place, look no further than the Cherry Tree Inn Stoke Row. The food is excellent and, more importantly, draws upon the local produce of the area. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch here and cannot wait to come back. This time, I promise that we won’t both go for the burger!

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