Pubs

[Ces]

During the Cropmas festivities we often go out-and about in the morning and hit the festival after lunch. As a former resident of North Oxon, are there any pubs in the area that would get the Alcock big-time thumbs-up? (ones that are relatively near but unlikely to have 12 deep quesues at the bar! )

[tony the roundhead]

Well I was in the Falkland Arms in Duns Tew tonight - one of the best pubs in England. About 20 minutes from Cropredy.

[Ces]

Hi Tone! (Sounds vaguely "muso' that! ). Yep - have been there and, without doubt, would say it's one of the best pubs I have EVER visited. Lovely building in a gorgeous setting, excellent food, great choice of ale etc.

Any pubs even better than that round your way? (Can't imagine there are..throughout Britain really!)

[Mr Cat (Lewis)]

The Pear Tree in Hook Norton does a brilliant pint of, er, Hook Norton best and Old Hooky.

The Chequers in Chipping Norton (where I saw a cerain Mr. Nicols on several occasions)

The pub in Bloxham on the road to/from Banbury (name escapes me now..Bricklayers?)

Falkland Arms is superb, but unless it has changed, tends to be full of city types pretending to be country squires.

Sorry to hijack questions to Maart..

[Maart]

I haven't lived in North Oxfordshire for five years now so I'm a bit out of touch with the pubs there. The best for a while was the George in Barford Saint Michael when Tracey had it before she went to work for Woodworm. Then her son Spencer had it and it was great for a while. Pubs change and it started to slide so he sold it to some rich people who ruined it basically. I haven't been in it that much while Martin's been there.

We all used to go to the Joiners Arms in Bloxham but that changed too. So we all started using the Elephant and Castle there which is where the rehearsals for Cropredy were last year. But like I say, pubs change. More than bands sometimes!

The Bell in Adderbury was also a fave. The Roebuck at North Newington, though I heard it has closed and is now a private house.

The Masons on the Chipping Norton road was good when the Chipping Norton butcher had it. I don't know nowadays.

The Falkland Arms is opposite where my kids went to primary school. We only ever went there when Nancy Covey's American Cropredy visitors came over. The beer tended to be variable.

The Reindeer in Parsons Street, Banbury is okay, but you're not allowed to wear a hat (!!!).

The Chequers in Chipping Norton was always good, and very handy for the theatre.

The Fox at Lower Oddington is a bit further out, but highly recommended.

The nearest pub to me nowadyas is well over a mile away and not that great. Sometimes we go to Brondanw Arms at Llanfrothen which is where Portmeirion's architect Clough Williams Ellis used to live. Good food and beer and live music occasionally. Big garden with a view of Snowdon and a chance to practice my Welsh. After all the hurtling around that Jan and I both do, we just like to stay home, look at the view and drink wine.

Maart

[Chris]

The best, cloisest to Cropredy - is probablt the George & Dragon at Chacombe....just 10 minutes the other side of the A361.....excellent beer & food!

[Ces]

Definitely a few names that I'd like to check out: I've heard about the Bell in Adderbury and we've driven past the George & Dragon.

Been to a few of the pubs mentioned: loved the Falkland Arms; thought the food was good in the Joiners...less impressed with the beer; thought the George was Ok - nice beer garden but it was tipping down when we visited it (well, twas mid August after all); been to the Reindeer quite often...but will now consider boycotting in as a show of solidarity to titfer-wearing chums

What's the pub in Great Bourton like, Chris? (The Bell?)

[Chris]

Excellent beer, good - if only basic - pub grub.

Landlords a little odd, though..... (don't go on your own.....)