About
Tucked away at the end of a winding country lane, The Cotley Inn is a place you happen upon rather than simply arrive at. Surrounded by rolling countryside, with footpaths leading to the door from every direction, it has long been a natural meeting point for walkers and those looking to slow down.
From the south west facing terrace, edged with lavender, you can look out across the fields towards Wambrook Church, its tower rising gently in the distance. In summer, it feels almost reminiscent of Provence, a spot to linger over long lunches in the sun.
In winter, the mood shifts. Inside, the original farmhouse setting, with its open fires and log burner, offers a warm and inviting retreat. Whether you are stopping by after a walk or settling in for the evening, The Cotley has a way of making you feel at home.
“We want to share our passion for The Great British pub with all our guests. It is our pleasure to serve our immediate locals and wider community and we are always so excited to welcome those from a little further afield”
- Maddie & Ben
Locally Sourced
Produce
Our menus are shaped by the seasons and by what is available to us right here on our doorstep. Being located on the Cotley Estate allows us to work closely with the land, creating a natural connection between field, kitchen and plate.
When we talk about food miles at The Cotley Inn, we are often really talking about food metres. Much of what we serve comes directly from the estate or our own kitchen garden, meaning ingredients arrive fresh, full of flavour and at their very best.
We have close links with Cotley Farm, giving us access to exceptional meat and the unique privilege of seeing the livestock grazing in the fields nearby. From Ruby Red Devon cattle and locally reared lamb to our own pigs and seasonal vegetables and herbs, our approach is rooted in sourcing as much as possible locally and sustainably.
This ethos carries through into the kitchen. We smoke our own meat, fish and dairy on site, adding depth and character while making full use of what we have available. Guided by a respect for ingredients and a focus on careful preparation, our food is rooted in British tradition, simple, thoughtful and full of flavour.
It is food designed to be enjoyed in good company, in a setting that invites you to relax, unwind and stay a little longer.
Our team
Hospitality, to us, is always about people. Many of our team are local faces, and together they create the atmosphere that makes The Cotley feel welcoming from the moment you walk through the door.
You will meet them in the dining room, behind the bar and in the kitchen, each bringing their own care and personality to the pub. And keeping a quiet watch over it all is Willow, our English Pointer and gentle guardian of The Cotley spirit, always ready to greet guests arriving from the hills or settling in for the evening.
Dan Brown
Head Chef
Dan has been part of The Cotley since 2020, bringing a thoughtful and grounded approach to cooking. His philosophy is rooted in a nose to tail approach, making full use of every ingredient and ensuring nothing goes to waste. It is a natural fit for The Cotley’s ethos and the way we work with the estate.
His cooking is led by simplicity and precision. By focusing on doing the basics exceptionally well, Dan allows the quality of the ingredients to speak for themselves. Consistency is central to his approach, but so too is a constant desire to improve. He continually challenges himself and his team to refine, develop and uphold the standards that define the kitchen.
For Dan, good food is honest, carefully prepared and always evolving.
Dina Brown
Manager
Dina leads the front of house with warmth, confidence and an instinctive understanding of hospitality. Her calm and attentive approach helps shape the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that guests experience from the moment they arrive.
She has a natural eye for detail, ensuring everything feels just right without ever feeling formal or overworked. More than anything, Dina has a genuine connection with people. She takes the time to know her guests and is known for remembering not only familiar faces, but their four legged companions too.
Her focus is simple. To make everyone feel at ease and to create those thoughtful touches that turn a visit into something memorable.
Driven by passion
Everything we do at The Cotley is guided by a genuine passion for good food, warm hospitality and the setting we are fortunate to call home. From the way we source our ingredients to the care taken in the kitchen and the welcome you receive at the door, there is a shared commitment across the team to do things properly. It is not about following trends, but about staying true to what feels right for the pub, the estate and the people who visit us. This passion is what brings The Cotley to life each day and is what keeps guests returning time and again.
