OUR STORY
Max, Tom & Gavroche
Before taking the helm at The Duke of Cumberland's Head, Max built his career in some of the most exacting corners of hospitality. A graduate of the Relais & Châteaux management programme, he trained at institutions such as Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons and Cliveden House, where detail and excellence weren't optional—they were the rule.
Joining Max is Head Chef Tom Farrar, whose career has taken him through some of the UK's most celebrated kitchens, including The Five Fields and CORE by Clare Smyth. His ingredient-led approach and passion for modern British cuisine are at the heart of The Duke's dining experience.
Max founded Jack Whipp Inns Ltd with a vision: to take all that polish and experience to the pub industry. Celebrating history with The Duke of Cumberland’s Head is his flagship.
the duke himself
Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
The Duke of Cumberland’s Head takes its name from Prince Rupert of the Rhine. Nephew to Charles I, cavalier commander, scientist, occasional pirate, and a man rarely seen without his dog at his side.
Rupert was made Duke of Cumberland in 1644, and he charged into battle with his hound loyally running beside him. His reputation was fierce, but he carried a wit and eccentricity that made him unforgettable.
Local lore has him stopping near Anyho before the Battle of Edgehill, rallying his men around a great fireplace, at the inn that stood where DOCH now stands today. That spirit : bold, loyal, and a touch unruly, is what gives this pub its name.
