As the nights get darker and the temperatures slump, hearty British classics will be returning to pub menus up and down the country.

Lamb shanks, sausage and mash, but most importantly proper Sunday Roasts.

Ok admittedly they're always on the menu, but you have to agree they taste better when it's dark and cold outside rather than glaringly hot.

The Sunday Roast is traditionally a large joint of meat, be it roast beef, lamb, pork or chicken with roast potatoes and vegetables.

The traditional Sunday Roast is believed to have begun way back in 15th-century England during the reign of King Henry VII. Every Sunday, after church, his royal guards would enjoy a ritual of freshly roasted beef, this is where the affectionate term “Beefeaters” came from.

But enough about that, it's time to get stuck into what really matters: Where's the best roast near you?

Top 6 roasts around Oxfordshire according to Tripadvisor:

The Red Lion

Address: Standlake Road, Northmoor OX29 5SX

Rating: 4.5 out of 257

Reviews: One customer said: "Delicious Sunday roast. Friendly staff and cosy atmosphere. We went there for a Sunday roast. My husband had the pork with crackly crackling. My daughter hoped for a vegetarian roast but that wasn’t available. We had extra roast potatoes and vegetables."

Another said: "Stopped for like lunch on a circular walk from the Thames. Olives, hummus, fish and chips, liver and chard, veggie burger. Lovely lunch and good service. Thumbs up!"

 

The White Hart

Address: Main Road, Fyfield, Abingdon OX13 5LW

Rating: 4.5 out of 997

Reviews: One customer said: "Me and my partner booked a table for date nite with a special request of some simular to a birthday board but a date night message board.. food was amazing, really nice atmosphere and kind staff.."

Another said: "Outstanding food, impeccable service, and a divine environment. I cannot fault this establishment on any part of its food, service or the building. Ridiculously good food served in a 16th century building by highly trained polite staff".

The Chequers Inn

Address: Berrick Salome, Wallingford OX10 6JN

Rating: 4.5 out of 339

Reviews: One customer said: "Enjoyable evening spent sat in the lovely garden. Food was nice, particularly enjoyed the starters, lots of pub classics too".

Another said: "Wonderful atmosphere, excellent country pub with outstanding food. The service was exceptional. We used it as a base for a country walk and had lunch there afterwards. This will certainly become a regular for us."

The Oxford Arms

Address: Troy Lane 10 Mins From Bicester Shopping Village, Kirtlington OX5 3HA

Rating: 4.5 out of 353

Reviews: One customer said: "Wonderful Sunday lunch, great atmosphere and service. Dog friendly which is rare. Best Yorkshire puddings in the country!"

The Chester Arms

Address: 19 Chester Street, Oxford OX4 1SN

Rating: 4.5 out of 473

Reviews: One customer said: "If you want a fabulous Sunday roast then it’s worth the queue, best to get there around 20mins before it opens at 12. A good nut roast for us veggies too!! Food well cooked, tasty, lots of it and all arrives on a hot plate."

Another said: "What a cool place. We were meeting friends and decided on The Chester Arms and what a good choice it was. We knew about the Steak platter, so that was our choice. It did not disappoint, well cooked and great flavours."

Recommended reading:

Oxford campaigners angry over key decision on city park

Oxfordshire Yamaha biker hospitalised after Wheatley crash

Oxford: Anger over 'ill-managed traffic jams' after race

The Royal Sun

Address: 2 Woodstock Road West, Begbroke, Oxford OX5 1RZ

Rating: 4.5 out of 491

Reviews: One customer said: "What a delightful pub and restaurant. Most of all the staff are so accommodating and the service was excellent. We recently had an evening meal there and enjoyed it so much that we returned as part of a family group to try the Sunday roast. We will definitely continue to use this restaurant as it represents excellent value for quality meals."

Another said: "This is the second time in 8 days that we have been , last Friday was our first time , we booked a Sunday roast today for 7 , the food again was excellent as was the service."