please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Bad news ! The old tables, chairs and upholstery have been replaced by new ones. I’m sure they will weather into much cherished items, but at the moment they stick out like sore thumbs. They also don’t seem to serve Old Hookey any more, but since they now have Brains Rev James (named after my great great great grandfather !), I wasn’t complaining. Tasted pretty good too. Otherwise not much has changed since my last visit – they still do a mean chilli con carne !
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A couple of years ago I went into this pub for the first time in 35 years. Apart from some photos of Morse on the wall it was exactly like I remembered it ! This place is tiny – it has to be because it’s surrounded on all sides by Blackwell’s bookshop ! The “outside drinking area” consists of one bench on the main street !
There are 3 or 4 mainly local beers on offer, but they are not cheap - approaching £4 a pint. Hook Norton Old Hookey is a regular here. [ I am hoping to establish a Pavlovian connection between the two ! ] Food isn’t cheap either – with nothing under £9. However, portions did appear to be on the generous side.
We are back on the tourist trail again here. You can stand, or sit at the bar but, the tables inside are reserved for people eating. [ Though I dare say they don’t enforce that at quiet times ] I should also point out the large collection of banknotes pinned to the wall behind the bar.
8/10 – touristy but with a great atmosphere
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love the small and traditional layout.very crowded, but if you were lucky to grab a table it'd be a cnie spot to pass a few hours. also the bench out front (missing from the photo) was a great spot for people watching on a sunny afternoon
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The last pub of the 6 and I must say rather disappointing
Okay it is a 16th century inn and has been used in filming episodes of Inspector Morse and Lewis but I didn't really dig the place.
Only 3 ales on but the Doom Bar was good, food was being served and also looked good.
Pictures of Morse and Lewis on the walls, low beams and a wooden interior with cute windows looking onto Broad Street.
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Probably not the best for meals because the tables are small, but otherwise a fine example of a traditional Oxford pub with low ceilings, acres of woodwork and nice service. They have some good session beers but the Old Hooky shouldn't be missed either.
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A classic pub for sure with good ale and a real cosiness - it's also perfectly placed if you want to break a trip to the two halves of Blackwell's bookshop - although this wouldn't feature the most demanding walk ever. Minor drawbacks are the hordes of tourists (red trousered poshos and our Transatlantic cousins are particularly well represented) but the provision of superb mulled wine and free mince pies on a Christmastime visit was a lovely touch.
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What a lovely little pub this is. Nice selection of real ales, prices that aren't too bad by central Oxford standards and efficient service. I wish they wouldn't make a fuss about their fish and chips though - my local chippy doesn't boast about their beer.
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Great little pub, rather crowded but it is dinnertime. No more expensive than any other Oxford pub, if that's a concern. Worth a visit.
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We always have a couple of beers in The White Horse - the Shotover Brewery "Prospect" being superb. Prices are around the norm for the City Centre but sometimes you have be prepared to pay a bit more or good beer in nice surroundings and this is a great little pub and we didn't mind paying an extra bit for our beer (�3.20 a pint). Inspector Morse photos everywhere alongside old pictures of university sports groups. A good selection of beers,well kept and while the pub is small and can get extremely crowded it is well worth a visit. The fish and chips is the house speciality and apparently has "world-wide" fame !!
Don't miss this pub when in Oxford.
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Nice cozy little pub, spoilt by ridulous prices, like all the city centre pubs in Oxford.
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Good beers from local breweries. It might get a bit busy, but during the afternoons or early evenings it's great. No tourist trap at all, friendly staff, well kept beers, very cosy. Excellent!
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If morrisonale knows of far far better pubs in Oxford, then I'd love to know where they are. In lieu of that, the White Horse is one of the best I've found. On a very busy saturday afternoon in town the pub was not packed, and tables were available. It does get a lot of tourist custom, but also locals too. Beers available were White Horse bitter, Tribute, Tim Taylor, Doom Bar, Old Hooky and Shotover Prospect (which was v. good). Barman was very pleasant, and the fish and chips was fine.
Haven't been in for a good few months but of the city centre pubs I tried today (Bear, Turf, White Horse), this one was the best.
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Another pub I usually visit when in town. Shotover Brewery's "Prospect" is often on and I think this is a fine beer from a local brewer. Yes prices are a bit high but it is right in the middle of the tourist area and will appeal to them because of its location and interior. I will continue to visit.
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White Horse Brewery Bitter and Hook Norton's Old Hooky were excellent.
Step down from the street into this very atmospheric pub with low ochre beamed ceilings, stripped floorboards and wood paneled walls. Very enjoyable chatty environment and nice one to pop into on a crawl.
On Tuesday evening it was very diney but also pubby at the same time which shows that you can have dining in a traditional pub without alienating the drinkers, even in a small place like this.
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What a disappointment.
Over priced, average quality beer, perfect as a tourist trap.
There are far far better pubs in Oxford!!
And don't get me started on the surly barmaid!!
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small one roomed bar with good selection of real ales.
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Not overly impressed with this place although I'm sure I had a higher opinion on a previous visit. The beer choice 'St. George' and 'Old Hooky' not too appealing to me. Will no doubt try again in the future
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I prefer other pubs in the area. Problems with beer pumps when I was in.
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Love this little gem of a pub, a couple of great beers in here the other day, can't praise highly enough.
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One of the best in town. Unique little bar with much going for it. Another "must visit" when I am in Oxford. Sadly the excellent Shotover Brewery "Prospect" was not on but we made up for that by enjoying "Pride of Oxford" and "White Horse Bitter". Food available throughout the day; cheery staff and a nice atmosphere (yes it is touristy but so what - it what they come to Oxford for and we should be very proud that we still have pubs like this)
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Decent pint of shootover prospect was had despit it being the last in teh barell which is a sign of good turnover.
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Great little pub, very cosey bar, small snug at the back, nice pint of local beer, traditional durex machine in the gents bog, a rare sight these days!!!!
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Love this pub. Small independent, full of students but well behaved. Not many pubs left like this in Oxford or the rest of the county come to think about it. Good choise of beers and good traditional food. Have eaten there and food is good, not sure of thomashenry comment, keep Oxford alive with tarditional pubs and not those big supermarket type pubs that are engulfing us.
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Brilliant pub. Hobgoblin & Wayland Smithy in superb condition & well served even though it was lunchtime and they were very busy. I didn't eat there but the pub was packed with people eating so I don't think it could've been that bad as thomashenry say.
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Don't fret so, Terry!
The prat who's posted the two before yours will be removed soon. He has spread his idiocy all over the site, not just this pub entry, but many.
It's happened before, and I expect it will happen again.
Have patience. If the Administrators don't terminate him I can find out where he lives (Oh yes I can!).
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Why has the poor White Horse been chosen as the repository for a load of ranting guff about pubs in London? Truly, the BITE website is out of control.
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It's easy to be blase about this pub, as Oxford is so well served for decent boozers. In many towns, this would be far and away the best pub.
It's tiny, wood panelled, and fairly atmospheric. There's a great snug at the back. Good choice of bitter. Avoid the food though - it really is the worst kind of microwaved crap. Atrocious.
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Liked this one, food looked and smelled good. LAter on wished i'd eaten here! Good selction of beers too
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I really liked this pub, really friendly bar staff and customers and excellent beer, with a decent selection. Definitely worth a visit.
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Loved this pub even though it's a bit of a tourist trap near the main drag.
Similar to the Bear in style/decor (and size, but not shape).
Very quaint, long narrow, single roomed, wood panelled pub. Wooden floors throughout. Low wooden beamed ceilings.
Very cool little raised snug area up a few stairs at the rear of the pub, which could seat about 10.
Very cosy feel to it.
Addlestones Cider at (I think) �3.50 a pint ... not too pricey.
In my opinion, a must visit in Oxford.
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Had a pint in here on Easter Monday. Decided to try what was advertised as the best fish and chips in Oxford. Very disappointing. Average portion and packet chips.
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Packed with tourists in this tiny central boozer as usual on my visit but somehow just managed to get a seat.
The beer range on this visit was very poor & dull with not even the usual TT Landlord on?!? Settled for a pint of White Horse "Wayland Smithy" which I must say was in excellent condition. Nothing else there worth trying so left after just the one for the far better FFTMC up the road. I won't exactly be in a rush to visit here again, much, much better boozers all within walking distance.
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Great pub! I love the White horse, friendly and welcoming staff. Great food good beer, no hen parties what more can you ask for?
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I was in this pub on New Year's Eve, it was very welcoming. The licensee even arranged snack for all patrons, FOC. The beer and wine were excellent. One of the best traditional pubs in Oxford.
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I also found the staff to be very nice to deal with, helpful, assertive and chatty - a rarity in this day and age.
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My girlfriend and I visited the White Horse on the 3rd of January and had a very enjoyable evening. The pub is a lovely old-world pub with a classic dark-wood, quirky, low ceiling interior plus a lovely snug at one end of the pub.
My first pint of beer was cloudy, but I later found that the barrel had gone. My second pint was much better. The selection of beer was excellent and I also found the food to be very pleasant.
Overall a definite pub for anyone to visit.
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Serving CLOUDY ALE there is no wonder they didnt win THE PUB OF THE YEAR.....i cant believe this pub was even nominated, maybe a year ago they care much better for the beers, but now they just care about money...............and they dont care about CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY....
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I used to go to this pub a lot, because i used to like it, but now everything changed since my last visit. I had lunch over there, i ordered pasta and when my meal came was cold and i found a fly in my food so i got annoyed, so i told to the barman, a boy with glasses and he was rude and he said that probably i was the one who put it, so i just got so angry because they didnt care and blame me, plus i didnt get my money back and i think the food is over price for what it is. So since now im not coming to that pub anymore, plus the beer that i had was so cloudy. I just to love the pub but now i dont want to go back at all.
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This is the sort of place one imagines drinking in on a dark, winter's night. The interior is long, narrow and low-ceilinged. There are six pumps - beers on included Landlord, Tribute, Shotover Scholar, Vale Best and White Horse Wayland's Smithy. I had a pint of the Smithy which was okay (�3.00). The pub is quite small - I timed my visit well and managed to get a seat but the pub soon filled up with people.
An unspoilt, traditional pub.
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A great place. Yes it does get busy, but that's part of the charm. Tribute is one of the house beers, which suits me just fine. When I think of which pub best represents a characteristically Oxford pub, this one comes to mind.
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I have visited this pub on numerous occasions since moving to Oxford in September, with friends and family alike, and have always found it to be a pleasant and welcoming pub. It is the type of pub that is good for every social event, from a cosy and quiet chat a deux, to a large group of slightly inibriated ladies preparing a for a pub crawl through Oxford. The choice of ales is outstanding (my boyfriend told me to say this, as I prefer cider), and the food is delicious, proper comfort food just what you need the afternoon after the night before. Love the White Horse.
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Yes, very good indeed. The sort of pub that 'wraps itself around you' as my old Dad would say. We were lucky to get a seat on a busy Sat afternoon. The bar staff were really friendly and welcoming. The Prospect from the new? Shotover Brewery was faultless and I wish I had time to stay for a few more. Reminded me of the Green Tree in Bath, small and full of character.
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Absolute corker and one of Oxford's hidden gems, situated snugly as it is betwixt two Blackwells' outlets. Tiny, cosy and welcoming, six real ales were on tap, so opted for the White Horse Wayland's Smithy (a pun on a character from The Simpsons perchance?) as well as a light bite - baguette and chips. Food was basic but unprententious and did the job. Ale was spot-on. Enjoyed the quiet-ish ambience so much I returned the next day. White Horse had been replaced by Idle Dog (I forget the brewery) so plumped for that. Had another bite to eat. Enjoyed Americans talking loudly and locals discussing Morse. Loved it. Up there with The Victoria and The Harcourt Arms.
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Great little pub , 6 ales on , tried White Horse Wayward Smithy and Vale Best , both exellent . Staff very friendly and helpfull . This pub is one of my favorites in Oxford . The foods not bad either .
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Had a pint of Vale Bitter... which I had to ask to have topped up as it had a sizeable head of foam. While at the bar I noticed this was common practice among some of the staff as a few others also complained about the amount of froth they were being given. Apart from that it was a nice pint in a nice cosy bar. It is nice to see a small city centre pub thrive - could do with training some of their staff as to the art of serving ale though.
anonymous - 11 Oct 2009 13:15 |
Visited this little gem twice in our 5 day break - sampled beers from Vale and White Horse Breweries. Regretably we didn't think the quality as good as previous visitors and as for the grumpy guy behind the bar, it just took the edge off our visit. I'm sure this place can be excellent with the right attitude behind the "sticks"!
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Elf sums it up. Small old pub with good food and beers. The Old Hooky was top class. Pictures of John Thaw et al on the walls and a friendly atmosphere. Would probably agree with elf about the Oxford pub crawl, but then again, maybe Dartmouth!?
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Fine Oxford centre pub with atmosphere and history - not least because of the activities of Morse and Lewis (the latter was filming nearby on our August visit). A very wide variety of beers and good food quality.
Just up the street from the Bodleian Library, it is probably Oxford's best - although its diminutive quaintness is a small problem!
In my view, Oxford is the ideal pub crawl venue. The contrast in pubs is unique - with little old wood panelled ones down laneways as well as a wide variety of the usual ones in the City's main commercial drag.
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Good pub and my favourite when in town. If you have the whole family with you then try somwhere bigger!
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Famous old pub in Broad Street. Served St Austel Tribute, Old Hooky, White Horse, Vale Brewery Best and others, well kept. Small inside, but classic pub look. Lots of seats round tables so clearly expects large groups of roving students looking to mix it with the salt of the earth. It was the first pub visited by Chief Inspector Morse in the first episode 'The Dead of Jericho'. Fact. Got involved in a conversation about seventeenth century Leveller activity in Oxofrdshire with two vagrants whilst leaving. Recommended.
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One of the better central Oxford pubs that stands up to other towns. Decent beers, and though small it's quite cosy with dark wood panelling all over. Lots of Inspector Morse pics on the wall, which was a bit cheesy. Certainly worth a visit, and better than the smelly Eagle and Child.
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This a very small and cramped pub, but for all that it is well worth a visit. I had a very nice pint of White Horse Wayland Smithy. The pub has loads of atmosphere and has none of the artificiality of pubs which try too hard. This is a genuine old style pub and does it well.
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We spent a week in Oxford (my third visit) while getting my sister settled for her first semester, and spent a lot of time trying out all the downtown pubs.
The White Horse was the best. From the dumb waiter to the signature Blacksmith bitter, I couldn't get enough of this quaint old pub. The next time I'm back in Oxford, I plan to gather a gang of mates and head immediately to that window-side table.
This one's right up there with Oxford's best pubs. The Bird & Babe has that Tolkien/Lewis thing, and The Bear is awesome in that Christ Church is awesome kind of way (the Bear has better Fish & Chips, too), but the White Horse has them on the most important factor: they pour the absolute best pint in town.
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Hello, this is a message for the gentleman that posted the message regarding the quality of the food. (pbarney) Please accept this as an apology on behalf of The White Horse. As a gesture of goodwill please contact The White Horse for a meal for two and drinks on the expense of the owners. tel 01865-204801 once again we apologise.
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Popped in again the other day - more ale than I remembered (5) served well. Cosy, nice atmosphere. Handy for Trinity College.
One of the best in OX1.
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Nice pub, good beer and nice friendly staff - but having eaten there, the claim that it sells "best fish and chips in Oxford" needs updating. The fish was truly vile - the wallpaper paste batter was appalling, and the tiny piece of fish tasted of nothng. Can't speak for the other food, but avoid the fish and chips.
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Very nice little juicer. Well kept ale and food looked good too.
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Lovely little boozer, although emphasis on the little! Good range of real ale, and Wychwood's Green Goblin cider available in bottles - fantastic!!
Didn't try the food but it looked good.
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This is a proper pub, very small in area but huge in atmosphere. At least four good ales normally with Skinners or Landlord on.Gets very busy, due to its size, but is definately worth a visit.
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A nice little (in the very real sense) bolt-hole for proper drinkers.
A decent selection of ale given the size of the place and an enjoyable atmosphere, easy to get a bit of conversation going with a stranger.
Inside d�cor is wood-panelled and charming.
Would recommend for a crawl and good for session if you can grab a table.
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Small pub. Has a solid atmosphere and plenty of bare wood. A Morse pub apparently. Great. 4 casks including Landlord, but all fairly standard.
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It was rather busy when we called, but we were able to find a seat and enjoyed a Brakspear beer we had not seen before. Good atmosphere.
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Good range of beers of consistently good quality with changes always being rung.Cosy in winter and cool in summer. Interesting mix of punters.
Overheard an academic type say to a student "and fourteenthly Sarah"
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A pub that has improved over the last couple of years from a real low point. Small, tight and good atmosphere it is now a must visit, with a reasonable range of beer and a chatty barman it is very enjoyable. It can be slow to get served as they cannot get many people behind the bar, its best to be patient.
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A pub that has improved over the last couple of years from a real low point. Small, tight and good atmosphere it is now a must visit, with a reasonable range of beer and a chatty barman it is very enjoyable. It can be slow to get served as they cannot get many people behind the bar, its best to be patient.
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Visited this place on Sat afternoon, decent beer but nothing great, was disappointed with the attitude of the bar staff who when one of the pints slipped off the table, couldn't give a stuff. Also it should show that its a non-smoking pub before you go in, we didn't see any signs.
anonymous - 16 Apr 2007 13:14 |
A decent pint of bitter with a good selection of real ales. Fairly broad red wine selection as well, which is unusual. A good atmosphere, very pleasant and helpful staff. The only downside is that it isn't a larger pub! One of the best in Oxford city centre, couldn't fault a thing.
anonymous - 8 Mar 2007 08:16 |
Bloody good bar. Don't change a thing!
anonymous - 19 Feb 2007 20:07 |
No Smoking before 16:30 after they stop food.
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I visit this bar regularly and in fact was in the bar on Friday 10th as I do every Friday. It is always busy at lunchtimes as there is not much space. The staff are always polite and attentive food and drink great. We are each entitled to our opinions, however I think that D Williams use of bad language is a worrying concern of the standards of our education system and a insight to D Williams character and social behaviour.
anonymous - 20 Nov 2006 01:33 |
What is this crusade of the under-30s about "old man's pubs"? Usually the description is at best misleading (it is often used as a derogatory term of dismissal for anywhere that is not trendy and corporate), and at worst offensive - hell, old men have to have somewhere decent to drink, and what's wrong with them doing so?! Is it because older men might have a more discerning taste in beer which seems to make youngsters so ill-at-ease nowadays? Whatever the issues pubs like the White Horse raise between the generations, I for one think it is one of Oxford's finest, and it exudes a genuineness and friendliness that is now lacking in many a hostelry in many a town. The ales are always well-kept and its small but cavernous nature lends itself to cosy 1-to-1 chats - if you can get a seat. Contrary to the old man tag, clientele here is pleasantly mixed in my experience, and it's a worthy addition to any Oxfordian pub-crawl. And by the way, I'm only 29!
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Despite the incredulously negative and mistaken comments by some people about the White Horse, it is indeed a fantastic little pub (the operative word being 'little'). Yes, it is a little bit of an old man's pub and it hasn't taken advantage of the late licensing, but it is a great place for a quiet drink in cosy surroundings with a good selection of ales and bitters that changes regularly. A welcome difference from the blandness of the Goose, Copa, Three Grapes and Turl.
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The White Horse, my favourite bar in Oxford. It's so quaint. Great now as it has been cleaned up tremendously, nice touch with the flowers in the window. Food was fantastic and such quick service. Lots of choice of ales and wines. Just a little small. Would recommend this to any visitor.
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Reasonable pub in a great location with bad food. It's ruined by the fact that it is the size of most pubs' toilets. The decor is pretty charming, though, so it's worth a visit to check it out, and if you catch it when it's not busy it'll save you the walk to a better pub outside the city centre. The beers here are fine, and quite varied. A victim of its own success really, though I've found it to be a little friendlier than most of those nearby.
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Back in Oxford at the weekend. The White Horse is a small, pleasant pub and since most students have now gone home for the holidays that makes it even better. (Sorry students!) Good beers and friendly barlady.
My personal opinion is that the Kings Arms is a BIT better, but the 2 pubs make a nice couple!
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Great little pub with much character and charm. Beer is usually pretty good and there are a few choice malts as well.
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Have been here quite often over the years, and I've never had a bad pint or a bad time. The pub's quite small, but somehow everyone manages to fit in. Recommended.
anonymous - 5 Apr 2006 08:55 |
Next door to my old college, and hasn't changed much, which is a good thing overall. Service was a bit slow, and of course there wasn't much space, but it's still a good pub in which to put the world to rights. The beer was in good nick, which always helps.
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Never used to drink here as a student but always pop in now. Lovely little place with lots of regulars, not very studenty at all. A couple of decent ales, I had a nice pint of Landlord.
anonymous - 16 Jan 2006 11:03 |
Excellent atmosphere. Beer a bit off, but pretty good considering the crowds.
anonymous - 1 May 2005 22:38 |
Good place to go and escape. I thought this was the smallest pub? Or one of them anyway, so it only takes five people and its packed. It�s true they had a guitar problem for a while. its such a cute little place with a really cosy feel, its defenatly one of the best in oxford.
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Arguably the best pub in Oxford. This intimate institution reeks of character, with wood-clad walls adorned with local sports teams of the past. With a fabulous range of beer, and a surprisingly un-pretentious crowd (considering its location) this is a sure bet in central Oxford, come rain or shine.
To those who fail to appreciate this gem of a pub by claiming it is smokey and pokey, I point them in the direction of the local Yates.
Mark - 9 Oct 2004 00:27 |
This is not a tourist pub during the evenings, it is a timeless oaken chamber where no-one is in the majority: a table by the window of Blackwell's staff, a bar of two regulars, four tables of students and itinerant builders, and a snug platform for intimate gatherings. This place serves good beer and though ends up crammed is laid-back, not noisy or boisterous. I thoroughly recommend an evening here, you are bound to have a decent conversation.
Patrick James - 28 Apr 2004 00:54 |
Very cramped when it's busy, but good fun nonetheless, and a good range of beers. Quite entertaining if you manage to get a seat and can rest awhile, smug faced and listening to the pretentious conversations of University tutors (or just really old graduate students?) and inebriated interviewees on their December pub crawls.
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Personally, one of my favorite pubs in Oxford, although some find it a bit small. The food is decent and the location is good. Buy a book at Blackwells then sit down for a beer and a read.
Clark - 11 Dec 2003 11:35 |
Decent amount of real beer. Small and smokey though.
Ian - 5 Nov 2003 21:04 |
This place was cool 4 years ago but now its full of old geezers.
Peter - 5 Sep 2003 00:02 |
When I visited this pub in 1998 I would have given it a "7". A gown pub, but also friendly towards visitors, with a reasonably good range (similar to the Bear) of real ales. I hear its changed hands since then, but I'll still give it a good mark until or unless I discover for myself it's any worse!!!
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Hopefully the barstaff won't be too busy playing each other guitar riffs to serve you.
Techno - 7 Apr 2003 13:31 |
