The Kings Arms, Oxford

Sought this one out as we had our dog with us. We and she were welcomed as soon as we walked in. A Youngs pub and the beer was ok. We sat in the back room next to the open fire which on a cold day was welcome. We arrived in mid afternoon and it was reading week so no students and it was quite quiet. Despite that there was only one person behind the bar serving and ordering the food was a faff. However it was reasonable pub fare when it came. The pub delivered what we wanted - beer, food, open fire and welcomed our dog.

30 Oct 2014 18:39

The Jolly Farmer, Cookham Dean

Popped in as it was listed as a dog friendly pub. A cheery welcome as we walked through the door, boded well. Nice Pint of Timothy Taylors Boltmaker (Champion Beer 2014) in front of an open fire (not sure about the gas fired "real fire" in the next room). The pub is under new management and was being refurbished but there was a pleasant atmosphere and the food was reasonable (but the chips weren't good - needed to change the cooking oil). The pub is owned by the village and is clearly an asset which should be cherished.

30 Oct 2014 18:31

The Duck On The Pond, South Newington

We walked to the pub with our dog. As we walked through the door the small dark haired bar barman shouted out "No Dogs!". My wife had even walked through the door and we were no more than two yards inside. No apology, no explanation (there was a stone floor and this was a pub not restaurant), no concept that it was absolutely tipping down, we had walked three miles, that there weren't many people in the pub and, get this, it is a country pub! We turn around and walked back into the rain. Contemplating a long walk back to the next village, we decided to stay outside and have a drink. I walked back in and asked the bar man whether there was another pub nearby which did allow dogs. He said we could try one in the next village about one and half miles away. I said that we had walked here and not driven. He said that he didn't make the rules and started laughing. Again no apology and no explanation. I told him that I was about to buy a drink anyway but he had just lost my trade. He said "Good", that I had "an attitude" and told me to "get out!"! The days of me getting irate with small, spotty boys working in a pub are over so I smiled and walked away. I feel sorry for the owners of the pub. It is clear that the staff in the pub have no concept of customer service in a tough diminishing market, and they are, literally, turning customers away.

30 Oct 2014 18:23