Oxford: August 2008 Archives

The Trout at Godstow, about a couple of miles outside Oxford, is the most popular pub for those in Oxford who have, or can blag, transport.

Sitting on the terrace above the river watching the trout queue up for their daily diet of crisps, nuts, and assorted snacks is blissful. A really good thrower can chuck a pint glass from the terrace onto the island opposite.

BUT, it's had a 'make-over' with the idea of turning it into a resturant rather than a pub. The two lovely old bars you used to walk right into are now dining rooms and the bar is miles down the terrace.

Mind you they have Timothy Taylor Landlord, in my view the best beer in England, but serve it ice cold for some loony reason. Hey Ho, warrms up if you leave it, and the charm of the waterside terrace has not been harmed, and I still love the place.

Turf tavern

Oxford's most famous pub. Dates from the 13th century though the present structure is 16th century.

Reached by two narrow passages:

Off Holywell St take turn into Bath Place and find the passageway on the left two thirds of the way down;

Off New College Lane pass under the Bridge of Sighs and turn immediately left down Hell Passage (pissily renamed St Helen's Passage by a PC-conscious City Council)

Unfortunately the Turf's a Greene King pub, but it has a range of non-standard Greene King beers some of which are good.

Drink in the front bar at the table by the bay window if you can, it's the best, and oldest, part of the pub.