James and his team work tirelessly to exceed your expectations.
At The Bull & Butcher, we take pride in our British dishes, focusing on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients that change regularly, ensuring there’s always something fresh and exciting for your palate.
“We look forward to seeing you”
James Orford – Proprietor
Our Story
We are a quintessential English pub, built in 1550 — eight years before Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne. Nestled in the Chiltern Hills, in the picturesque village of Turville in the Hambleden Valley, and just six miles from Henley-on-Thames.
Enjoy delicious gastropub food, excellent wines, and fantastic real ales, including Brakspear Gravity (“Original”) and Oxford Gold Organic. Inside, the pub features two welcoming spaces — The Well Bar and The Windmill Lounge — both full of character, with original oak beams, roaring open fires, and cosy seating, making them perfect for relaxed dining, Sunday lunches, and drinks with friends throughout the year.
Outside, guests can enjoy a large sunny beer garden and patio areas, ideal for alfresco dining and relaxing summer days in the Chiltern countryside. For private celebrations and events, The Bull Room offers an elegant private dining space for up to 24 guests, featuring glass barn doors opening onto the patio; creating the perfect setting for intimate gatherings and special occasions.
Our name also carries a fascinating piece of history: the Bull and Butcher was originally known as the “Bullen Butcher”, a reference to King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. “Bullen” was the family name Anne was known by prior to joining the royal court, while the “Butcher” alludes to Henry VIII’s infamous role in her fate.
Premium Food Experience
Proprietor and Chef James Orford brings extensive culinary experience to our kitchen, including training under Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and lecturing in restaurant hospitality management. Supported by a talented and experienced kitchen team, the focus remains on creating high-quality gastropub dishes using locally sourced ingredients from across Oxfordshire and the Chilterns.
From freshly baked bread each morning to our award-winning homemade pies and carefully prepared seasonal dishes, everything is cooked with quality, flavour, and provenance in mind, helping make us a popular destination for relaxed dining in the heart of the Chiltern Hills.