The Star Inn Sparsholt is a beautiful gastropub, serving elegant modern British food in a picturesque setting on the North Wessex Downs. Just west of the market town of Wantage, in a pretty village on the edge of the Downs, The Star Inn has a history of good food and drink that goes back hundreds of years. The rustic brick-and-flint building in the middle of charming Sparsholt couldn't have a more picturesque setting - this beautiful 18th century building has extensive gardens, and you can hear the nearby babbling brook as you walk the grounds, located near the iconic Uffington White Horse.
The Star has undergone a major refurbishment, relaunching with updated menus and a new philosophy. Head Chef Luke Sutton is at the helm, with fresh menus that ebb and flow with the seasons, celebrating the best of what grows locally in Oxfordshire and beyond. Here, the focus is all on sustainability, with sourcing strategies to ensure only the best seasonal ingredients. At its heart, The Star has long been a place that greets wanderers, with people walking the surrounding areas of Sparsholt for years. The Star hopes its culinary experience will be part of the new stories to be told.
Dishes are typically modern British, and executed with precision and elegance. You'll also find a new terrace menu, consisting of bar snacks and small plates are available here, offering the likes of duck leg bon bon with tempura asparagus in a brown butter hollandaise. The a la carte offerings come with their own twists, with reimagined takes on some of the nation's classics. Starters include dishes like peppered mackerel with horseradish, and English burrata with courgette salad. Mains follow a similar vein, with dishes like roasted monkfish with broccoli, basil and almond sauce, or John Dory with summer veg chowder and a smoked mussel sauce.
The Star is a restaurant with rooms. offering an adjacent barn which houses eight boutique bedrooms for overnight stays. Here, guests can enjoy a delightful culinary experience and a luxurious weekend break complete with wine and picnic hampers.