Less than a month ago, the iconic Hollow Bottom pub in the Cotswolds, beloved by the racing community and known for its strong ties to the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National celebrations, closed its doors. On Sunday, June 8, the pub served its final pint under the ownership of brewer Youngs, marking the end of an era.
Now, in July, renowned chefs Liam Goff and Nathan Eades have confirmed they are taking the helm of this historic 17th-century village pub in Temple Guiting. With an impressive track record running The Halfway at Kineton—praised with a 4.7 rating on Tripadvisor—and The Horse and Groom in Bourton-on-the-Hill, a Bib Gourmand recipient from the Michelin Guide, the dynamic duo is poised to breathe new life into the Hollow Bottom for locals and racing enthusiasts alike.
On social media, Liam and Nathan expressed their enthusiasm: “The rumours (another badly kept secret) are true! We’re incredibly excited to be taking on one of our favourite pubs in the Cotswolds, The Hollow Bottom. This pub means so much to so many people and was once the heart of the local and horse racing community. It’s lost its way in recent years, and we feel honoured to have the trust to bring it back to its best. Over the coming weeks, we’ll share the journey of reopening the pub—warts and all. We can’t wait to welcome you all very soon.”
READ MORE: Dedicated Police Officer Ian Minett Remembered After Sudden Passing on Duty
READ MORE: Iron Age Roman Settlement Uncovered After Rare Sword Discovery
The Hollow Bottom has seen several ownership changes over recent years. After 18 years at the helm, landlord Hugh Kelly closed the pub in 2019. It then passed to Julian Dunkerton’s Onion Group and later to Youngs in 2022 before shuttering in 2024.
Long celebrated within racing circles, the Hollow Bottom is famed for being “the best racing pub in the world,” consistently packed during the Cheltenham Festival and other race meetings. The pub has also served as a broadcast base for prominent media outlets, including BBC Radio 5 Live and Racing TV, hosting expert panels featuring notable figures such as jockey Sam Twiston Davies and Grand National winner Carl Llewellyn.
With Liam Goff and Nathan Eades at the helm, the racing and local community can look forward to a vibrant revival at this legendary Cotswolds pub.