Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn, Banbury

Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn is a bare boarded Hook Norton Brewery pub with old wooden ceiling beams, traditional wood panelled walls and a big central bar with front and rear serving counters that support premium keg and Kronenburg alongside six hand pumps, three on each counter, that were all drawing HN ales. To the left of the central entrance padded bench seating runs under the front windows and up the left hand wall to a fireplace at the rear that sits adjacent to the front serving counter. To the right of the entrance more bench seating runs under the front windows opposite the serving counter to a fireplace on the right-hand wall. A couple of steps to the right of the serving counter climb to the rear bar where there are a couple of small seating areas and access can be gained to the upstairs Globe Room that is labelled as a dining area with additional seating. One of the very friendly barmaids served me an excellent pint of Hooky Mild which I enjoyed sat in the front bar where I tried very hard to find fault with the pub… I couldn’t, meaning this was my favourite pub during two days of crawling in Banbury.

Beautiful old pub with an ornate interior. Hand pumps a plenty from Hook Norton. I had a pint of Hook Norton Mild which was decent along with a burger and chips which was reasonably priced and tasty. Well worth a visit if you're in Banbury town centre.

Yesterday's visit to this old town centre pub was a return visit. I was last in here in 2016, when a fight had ensued involving a guy dealing with counterfeit banknotes. On a Wednesday afternoon, things appear to be quieter than Tuesday evenings! There were a few locals enjoying the Hook Norton beers, whilst other groups had not long finished their lunches. I don't recall exploring the pub much on my last visit. The traditional bar at the front has plenty of Hook Norton memorabilia with lots of wood panelling. From here, a corridor leads to the toilets, an outdoor yard and also to the rather grand-looking Globe Room at the rear. Bar staff all appeared to be Eastern European. When I asked if they stocked any still ciders, the one barman seemed a little confused. Apparently they don't anymore. Instead, the real ale choice is Hooky, Old Hooky, Off the Hook & Hooky Mild. I was hoping that this might be the one local Hook Norton pub where I might find something a little more interesting from the brewery. Alas, I was disappointed. Nice pub inside and with no fighting, I was able to enjoy the atmosphere a little more on this visit. But there are better pubs in the town.

A good looking 16th century pub, traditional and olde worlde inside. Six beers on all from Hook Norton. I liked the look of the pub but the beer tried was a little tired.