please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Upmarket backstreet Fuller's pub in the Oxford suburb of Headington. London Pride was supplemented by a couple of season ales from Fuller's called Day Dreamer & Due South. Only saw one of the aforementioned felines. But, it was certainly quite vocal. This seems to be a hangout for young trendy types, possibly students. Board games and laptops were the order of the day. Not bad for a Fuller's pub though.
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I live a mile way but had never entered this backstreets pub. Fullers bore me to be honest these days but the range of their offerings here is bigger than normal and the Damson Porter, while a shameless attempt to match Titanic and not a patch on that brewery’s Plum Porter, was very drinkable of a wintry evening. Two cats too and perhaps the only quibble is the brightness of the lighting.
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Brilliant! Took the Mrs to visit the infamous "Headington Shark" as an excuse to try this Fullers pub and so glad I did as was she.
Cracking pint of the oh so hard to find Chiswick bitter, landlord very friendly as were the locals. Bare floors, sensible seating and a great outside area for warmer weather or the lesser spotted smoker. Only wish I lived across the road and it was my local! Top marks on this one that's for sure.
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New owners have started to settle now, and i'm getting hopeful. They are a really nice couple, everyone seems happy and the atmosphere is good. The pub has seen some changes and I think the couple can return it to its former glory. Winter months good to see they have the open fire still. The new
menu is due to be in place in the new year, they described it to me as a home cooked menu. The beer is brilliant all well looked after, pride, esb, discovery, chiswick and currently jack frost which is a seasonal one I believe.
I thoroughly recommend the place to anyone as it is very friendly.
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Yes, agree with the last two comments. Let's see what happens when the new managers take over.
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Great pub. Really nice home made food that's very reasonably priced. Five or six hand pulled beers which were excellent. Would recommend.
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Really nice pub. Very friendly staff, really good value for food. Also very welcoming for families with children during the day.
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In my review of the Harcourt Arms I said that it was the only pub in Oxford to serve Fuller's Chiswick. I was wrong: The Butchers does as well. A near full range of Fuller's beers were on tap, and my pint of Chiswick was very well served. The pub is a bit out of the way, and was a bit quiet for a Saturday night. Nonetheless, it seemed friendly and had a roaring log fire (a big plus for me). It's not somewhere I'd seek out, but I'm sure it would make a very nice local if I lived nearby.
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Does this pub have new owners now??
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A friend said that they were now doing food and it was good value. So I took a trip there. Had fish and chips.The chef asked me what beer O would like in the batter and he was not joking it was that fresh. The portion size was huge well cooked and excellent value. Got talking to the landlord and they are still apparently ironing out some problems so their current menu is restricted but overall a very nice little pub, friendly, good beers and very good quality food.
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Went to the opening night on the 15 Sept. Pub was very very busy, beer was great along with free bubbly the new people were great, very friendly and welcoming. Free buffet was excellent, atmosphere was buzzing and live band was good sound was at right level not to upset the local residents. If they start doing food and it is good quality and value this pub will be a must to visit. Hope they get the support they deserve. The futures bright. The future is the BUTCHERS ARMS!!
anonymous - 18 Sep 2007 10:26 |
I live locally and have had flyer through my door. saying its under new management from 12th sept
Looks like Opening night is SEPT 15th Music, freefood and a free galss of bubbly on arrival. Someone says its new tenants as opposed to a manger so should. improve greatly
anonymous - 3 Sep 2007 12:09 |
In my opinion this is now the best pub in Oxford. One review talks of a change of landlord in 2006, this landlord left in October 2006 (i think) along with his dog and there is now a new Irish landlord who is fantastic. He has turned the place around. It's still a Fuller's pub and they serve pride, chiswick, discovery along with special one offs that change every couple of months. The food is now much better than before. The sunday lunch is great, you get a lot on your plate, although the deserts could be improved. They also do good steaks. Friday nights can be very busy but there is a great atmosphere. There is also a quiz night on sundays around 8pm which are always a laugh. On 1st March they introduced a smoking ban in the pub so the air is now nice and clean in there.
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This pub was once the best in Headington but is now nothing to be recommended. As expensive as always but without the atmosphere. After a long period of ambivalent management the pub is empty and rightly so. Beer is OK.
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Tucked away down the back streets of Headington - not the easiest to find, but worth a wander if you're near the shark.
Fullers pub with usually 4 ales on - ESB, London Pride, Discovery and Chiswick the last time I was in there. Beer is usually good - usually a nice pint of Pride.
The pub changed hands sometime this year I think (2006) and there is now a huge, but very friendly dog who wanders round the pub and garden.
anonymous - 23 Jun 2006 14:44 |
We went there for Sunday lunch on the basis of a previous comment. The roast looked ok but the canneloni and its watery vegetables were almost inedible. Luckily no-one asked if we'd enjoyed our meals. The beer's ok but so it is elsewhere. There's no reason to make the effort to find this pub.
Robert - 19 Sep 2004 22:22 |
WINNER OF THE 1999 CAMRA PUB OF THE YEAR FOR CITY OF OXFORD.
VERY DIFICULT TO FIND, SO REMEMBER "PAST THE SHARK, 1ST LEFT, 1ST RIGHT.
GRAHAM YOUNG - 8 Aug 2004 14:07 |
