January in South Oxfordshire offers a quieter, intimate way to enjoy rural England — from cosy vineyard visits and winter markets to farm shops and fireside dining in historic pubs. While the countryside rests after the festive season, local venues continue to celebrate the region’s food culture with seasonal menus, artisan produce, and authentic farm experiences.

Winter Vineyard Visits and English Wine Experiences

Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery (Hambleden, near South Oxfordshire)

• About: One of the region’s most established vineyards and breweries, set in the Chiltern Hills AONB.

• Winter Experience: Enjoy indoor tastings of their English wines, craft ales, and liqueurs, along with tours explaining winter vineyard care.

Bix Farm Vineyard (Henley-on-Thames)

• About: A boutique vineyard producing English sparkling wine.

• Winter Experience: While outdoor vineyard tours may be seasonal, the winery hosts tastings and special winter events by appointment.

Henley Vineyard & Cellar Door (Henley-on-Thames)

• About: A smaller producer focused on local English wine.

• Winter Experience: Seasonal tastings and insights into production — perfect paired with locally made cheeses.

Working Farms, Farm Shops, and Countryside Life

Church Farm Shop (Nuffield)

• What to Expect: Fresh bread, seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, meats, preserves, and ready-to-eat meals — all ideal for warming winter dinners.

• Why Visit: A community favourite for quality local produce year-round.

Ley’s Farm Shop & Café (Watlington)

• What to Expect: Farm shop + café serving hearty breakfasts, lunches, and local cakes. In January, the café is cosy and welcoming with warming dishes built around seasonal produce.

• Why Visit: Great stop for a countryside lunch after a walk.

Beaconsfield Farm Shop (Beaconsfield) — near South Oxfordshire border

• What to Expect: Seasonal produce, game in winter, artisan bread, and local charcuterie.

• Why Visit: Excellent for stocking up on regional produce or gifts.

Markets and Artisan Food

Wallingford Farmers’ Market (Cornmarket — usually monthly)

• What to Expect in January: Producers offering winter veg, honey, breads, cheeses, chutneys, and seasonal specialties.

• Why Visit: More intimate in winter, markets provide time to chat with growers and makers.

Didcot Artisan Market (Beacon Shopping Centre — check for January dates)

• What to Expect: Local craft foods, bakers, honey, preserves, and small-batch goods.

• Why Visit: A great way to discover South Oxfordshire’s artisan community.

Henley-on-Thames Market (Market Place)

• What to Expect: Regular markets that include local produce vendors and food stalls — perfect for winter browsing with a coffee.

Cosy Dining: Pubs and Restaurants

The Crown at Sparsholt

• Cuisine: British gastropub food with a strong seasonal focus.

• Winter Highlights: Game dishes, rich stews, seasonal sides, and local ales — best enjoyed by the fireside.

The Chequers Inn (Brightwell-cum-Sotwell)

• Cuisine: Classic country pub with seasonal menus.

• Winter Highlights: Seasonal roasts, local lamb and beef, hearty winter puddings.

The Unicorn (Cholsey)

• Cuisine: Traditional British pub with regional ingredients.

• Winter Highlights: Warm interiors, winter specials like braised meats, and excellent local ales.

The Bull Inn (Cuddington)

• Cuisine: Pub fare with a local sourcing ethos.

• Winter Highlights: Seasonal mains, warming soups, and cosy atmosphere.

The Nut Tree Inn (East Hanney)

• Cuisine: Michelin-recognised dining with thoughtful, local-focused plates.

• Winter Highlights: Winter tasting menus featuring local produce, game, and creative twists.

The Greyhound on the Test (Stockcross — just outside South Oxfordshire)

• Cuisine: Fine dining with seasonal British menus.

• Winter Highlights: Sophisticated dishes that spotlight winter vegetables and regional ingredients.

Winter Café Stops

The Pantry (Brightwell-cum-Sotwell)

• What to Expect: Rustic café offering homemade cakes, hearty soups, and artisanal coffee — perfect after a farmhouse stroll.

The Little Gloster Café (Henley)

• What to Expect: Cosy spot with warming drinks and cakes — ideal to break up a market or vineyard visit.

Koffi (Henley-on-Thames)

• What to Expect: Independent coffee house serving speciality coffee and pastries — a nice warm stop in crisp January weather.

A January Food-Focused Itinerary with Venues

• Day One: Lunch and local produce shopping at Ley’s Farm Shop & Café, then an afternoon tasting at Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery followed by dinner at The Crown at Sparsholt.

• Day Two: Morning at Wallingford Farmers’ Market (if running), coffee at The Little Gloster Café, and riverside walks followed by dinner at The Nut Tree Inn.

• Day Three: Visit Church Farm Shop for artisan produce, a scenic countryside walk, and a warming lunch at The Chequers Inn.

Conclusion

January offers a chance to explore South Oxfordshire’s food landscape at a softer, more reflective pace. Vineyards become spaces for conversation and wine appreciation, farm shops and markets bring seasonal produce to life, and pubs and restaurants showcase the best of winter menus. Whether you’re exploring cosy cafés, meeting producers, or savouring a fireside lunch, South Oxfordshire’s winter food experiences reveal the heart of the region’s culture.

For visitors planning a winter country escape, Pass the Keys provides a selection of carefully managed cottages and homes across South Oxfordshire. With warm, well-equipped accommodation close to villages, vineyards, markets, and farm shops, Pass the Keys ensures you have the perfect base to enjoy South Oxfordshire’s vineyards, farms, and local food experiences — even in January.