The White Horse, Abingdon

I visited the White Horse not long after opening on Friday and found myself to be the only customer. This soon changed as lunch approached and large groups of local workers filled the pub up in a scramble for tables. The interior is L-shaped with a long bar and seating throughout. At the rear of the pub is a large plasma screen that was airing muted rolling news. Also at the rear of the pub tucked around a corner is a dartboard. There was some background music playing at an acceptable volume during my visit. I counted ten hand pumps on the bar that were drawing a mix of GK and guest beers as well as three real ciders. An upcoming cider festival was advertised so this pub takes its apples seriously. I also noted the presence of some premium and standard draught products. Pub food is available daily from noon and the mains are priced around the £9 - £10 mark. I opted for a burger which was very tasty. Out the back is a large beer garden full of picnic tables and there is also a car park. Wifi is advertised, but I didn’t try connecting to it to see if it worked. I thought that this was a decent pub and I would gladly return for another couple of pints of Old Hooky.

Formed from a collection of old and new stone buildings the inside looks recently modernised with a large open plan bar with much dining space; the mid-section is more of a bar than the other parts and has a couple of tall tables. The L shaped counter has eight handpumps in two banks and sells a selection of mainly Greene King beers but also a couple of reasonable guests, Hook Norton and Itchen Valley on my visit, the beers are listed on a blackboard behind the bar. Lighter wood furniture of armchairs, tables and some bench seating looking pretty new as does the rather garish wallpaper in one part. There are some old photos of the town and the usual screens and machines strategically located. There is a pleasant beer garden with a decent smoking shelter at the front. A pleasant pub with friendly staff and locals.