Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms in Oxfordshire is the 4th site from husband and wife team Justin and Charlotte Salisbury. Part of the Artist Residence collection, Mr Hanbury’s in South Leigh has just been awarded 5 Stars for the hotel and 2 rosettes for the restaurant from The AA. This accolade comes a mere 6 months after opening their doors to the public in July. Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms was also included in the prestigious Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide which was published at the end of October 2017.
The AA Guide identifies excellence within the hospitality industry awarding venues with either stars (hotels) or rosettes (restaurants) and is recognised as a quality rating system by customers and professionals within the industry. Proprietor Charlotte Salisbury says, “We are absolutely thrilled to have been acknowledged by The AA for the quality of our newest hotel in Oxfordshire, and for Leon’s outstaning cooking for Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms. A lot of hard work has been poured into the project over the past year and we’re all really proud”.
Nestled in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, Artist Residence Oxfordshire is a 16th Century country pub and restaurant with 5 bedrooms tucked away in the eaves, a spot for kicking back, escaping the city and indulging in some good old-fashioned relaxation. Designed by Charlotte and Justin, the en-suite bedrooms in the eaves are each individually designed in an English bohemian style. The couple have hand- picked pieces from their favourite auction houses and reclamation yards to complement the existing features, whilst William Morris and House of Hackney wallpaper and a personally curated collection of artwork will add the signature Artist Residence pop of colour throughout the building.
Head Chef Leon Smith is at the helm in the kitchen and his ethos focuses strongly on ‘rummaging through nature’s larder’. Be it foraging for wild mushrooms, flowers and herbs, growing his own fruit and veg in the garden or sourcing the very best local meat and dairy suppliers, Leon’s menu is an ode to the Oxfordshire countryside. Career highlights include working with Tom Aikens and Josh Eggleton at The Pony and Trap as well as being Senior Sous at The Royal Oak (another Michelin starred Gastro Pub in Maidenhead). His inventive menu showcases his passion for foraged, seasonal and local produce.
Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms heralds a very welcome addition to the burgeoning Oxfordshire hospitality sector, and one that is clearly here to stay.