Oxford

[RogerB]

Another cheapo rail offer on the go centred on Oxford http://response.pure360.com/interface/external_view_email.php?J9105845017717703353134531 268

I've just booked up for a day out next Tuesday (28th) for £8 return. I've compiled a schedule of pubs but if anyone has any tips on the must do's/avoids, I am all ears. Naturally if anyone wants to join me, feel free.

[Quinno]

Damn you I haven't been to Oxford for ages but I suspect that I can't get that date off, I would join you otherwise!

The Eagle and Child (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55404/) - worth a half for the front interior but don't plan your day round it

Turf Tavern (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31818/) - The big tick box pub in OX1

The White Horse (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55405/) - my personal Oxford favourite

Lamb & Flag (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31751/) - good beer and has Betty Stoggs :)

Far From the Madding Crowd (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/58039/) - very good for ale though a lot of people says it lacks charm

The Kings Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31748/) - decent beer but I've never been over-keen on the inside

Not been to these but meant to be very good: The Grapes (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31732/) and The Royal Blenheim (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31671/)

[Grailhunter]

I would say that on a day in Oxford the 'must do' pubs within the city centre are;
Far from the Madding Crowd
Turf Tavern
The Royal Blenheim
All three have a good choice of real ales. FFMC is a free house and usually has five fairly unusual ales and Brakspears. Turf is Greene King but unusually is allowed a free hand with guest ales (and the building and location is fabulous). Blenheim is a good town boozer run by the White Horse brewery as their brewery tap.

The Crown is worth a look if time permits (often has Jaipur IPA).
The Mitre is an historic coaching inn but the ale choice is poor.
Both of the Wetherspoons are fairly average

For a special treat jump on a number 7C or 8 bus and go to the Masons Arms in Headington. It brews its own beer (Old Bog brewery) and is a great community pub, but be warned it is hard to find and check it doesn't close in the afternoons.

I hope you have a good day out.

[Quinno]

For a special treat jump on a number 7C or 8 bus and go to the Masons Arms in Headington. It brews its own beer (Old Bog brewery) and is a great community pub, but be warned it is hard to find and check it doesn't close in the afternoons.


The Masons Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/31758/) now that's a good 'un, been there!

I've asked for the 28th off, more in hope than expectation mind you! :pray:

[RogerB]

I've cut my tick list down to 12 so far and all the ones you have all mentioned are still on the list so pub review websites must be doing something right! I'll make a note of the Masons Arms and see if I can fit it in but given that this is my first proper beer trip to Oxford, I will probably just stay with the town centre pubs on this occasion unless anyone joins me and wants to do otherwise.

[gillhalfpint]

The Royal Blenheim is an Everards scheme pub so there is usually one of theirs on plus about 3 White Horse brewery and about 6 guests on so is worth a visit. Agree with the other suggestions too.

[RogerB]

I think the only one on my list that no-one has mentioned is the Duke's Cut so I'll use that as a reserve if I finish the other 11 with time to spare!

[Oggwyn Trench]

Love Oxford for a weekend away with the Mrs , a few of my favorites (much the same as Quinnos) though not been for a couple of years

White Horse - 6 ales , Tribute , Wayland Smithy , Doombar + guests
Lamb and Flag - 6ales , Palmers Best , Gold , Betty Stogs + guests , also has Cotswold Lager , Lager with flavour:eek:
Turf - 10 ales , mostly GK and there own Turf summer ale + guests , bloody ackward to find
Grapes - 4 ales 2 from Exmoor , 2 from GK on my last visit

Was not to impressed with the Kings Arms (mostly Youngs) , the Mitre had an intresting interior but no ale , the Bear used to be good but did not visit last time

[trainman]

Only been once, when I managed to lose fairly detailed (if not particularly legible) notes of the day in pub 10or11, of 12.
Rather annoyed about that, and a hung-over phone around next day did not locate them.
Good deal though Roger - date flexibility would still offer plenty of £1/£3/£5 ew tickets.

[Quinno]

I've asked for the 28th off, more in hope than expectation mind you! :pray:

Well I've been (grudgingly) given it, so count me in.

What time are you planning on being there?

[RogerB]

Well I've been (grudgingly) given it, so count me in.

What time are you planning on being there?

Excellent - my train leaves Paddington 9.50 arriving in Oxford at 10.48. I'll be heading for the Four Candles for my customary 'Spoons breakfast and first pint. My train back is at 8.01pm.

[Quinno]

Excellent - my train leaves Paddington 9.50 arriving in Oxford at 10.48. I'll be heading for the Four Candles for my customary 'Spoons breakfast and first pint. My train back is at 8.01pm.

I'll be on the same trains then, leaving Reading 10:22 :bemerry:

[Quinno]

There's also a distinct possibility I'll be joined by an accomplice (not Mrs Quinno though!), who I often pootle round London pubs with. Goes by the name of Gavin.

[RogerB]

The more the merrier as far as I am concerned!

[RogerB]

Well that all went rather swimmingly. 12 pubs on the "to do" list and we did all 13 of them. Managed to wake up in the right bed this morning as well though not sure how I got there. The full SP for the beer tickers - Four Candles (Oxfordshire - Pride Of Oxford), Grapes (Ilkley - Mary Jane), Eagle & Child (a.k.a Bird and Baby) (Moor - Northern Star - beer of the day for me), Lamb & Flag (Palmers - Lamb & Flag Gold), White Horse (Shotover - Prospect), Turf Tavern (Turf Summer Ale - pobably something re-badged), the Bear (Butcombe - Bitter), Kings Arms (Hook Norton - Haymaker), Far From The Madding Crowd (Country Life - Old Appledore), Swan & Castle (no idea!), Royal Blenheim (Shardlow - Chancellors Revenge), Crown (Headless - Blonde), Dukes Cut (Jennings - Tizzy Wizzy).

[aleandhearty]

(Moor - Northern Star - beer of the day for me)

Sounds like you had a grand day out. Must admit I've not come across Moor Brewery before, so I had a quick look see at the website. Northern Star certainly sounds like my sort of beer.

http://moorbeer.co.uk/our-beer/northern-star

[trainman]

Northern Star certainly sounds like my sort of beer.
http://moorbeer.co.uk/our-beer/northern-star
As do many of their others. And a great tag line on the pumpclips - "Drink Moor Beer"

Well done Roger, and fellow raiders, for conquering Oxford, and good luck to all the intrepids for the Winchester jaunt, even if it means you all get to tick Cheriton before me, grrr....

[aleandhearty]

And a great tag line on the pumpclips - "Drink Moor Beer"

:D Yes, I rather liked it too.

[Quinno]

Well that all went rather swimmingly. 12 pubs on the "to do" list and we did all 13 of them. Managed to wake up in the right bed this morning as well though not sure how I got there. The full SP for the beer tickers - Four Candles (Oxfordshire - Pride Of Oxford), Grapes (Ilkley - Mary Jane), Eagle & Child (a.k.a Bird and Baby) (Moor - Northern Star - beer of the day for me), Lamb & Flag (Palmers - Lamb & Flag Gold), White Horse (Shotover - Prospect), Turf Tavern (Turf Summer Ale - pobably something re-badged), the Bear (Butcombe - Bitter), Kings Arms (Hook Norton - Haymaker), Far From The Madding Crowd (Country Life - Old Appledore), Swan & Castle (no idea!), Royal Blenheim (Shardlow - Chancellors Revenge), Crown (Headless - Blonde), Dukes Cut (Jennings - Tizzy Wizzy).

Quite how you managed to put those away is beyond me, I stuck to halves! (well, mostly)

[Farway]

good luck to all the intrepids for the Winchester jaunt, even if it means you all get to tick Cheriton before me, grrr....

Yep, I can confirm they did this lunchtime:D