The Pepper Pot, Banbury

I could hear customers in the beer garden of the Pepper Pot, but I ended up having a bit of a ramble around the bushes that enclose the pub before finding the entrance that leads to the pub and adjacent local shops. Inside is some raised seating to the left and a counter in the centre of the rear wall that faces some open plan seating and a pool table. Banquettes run along the front wall to the right and a dartboard is found on a small raised area in the right rear. Televisions are located throughout, muted Garden Rescue and Tipping Point were muted while some background music played. Available from the counter were a standard keg range alongside Birra Moretti and three hand pumps, but only one was in use drawing Ringwood Brewery’s Razor Back. I found the service to be less than welcoming, so as a non-local I’ll not be walking out from town to revisit.

Popular community pub in the northern suburbs of Banbury, not that it's got any competition in the area once you've passed The Bell. Fairly typical estate-pub layout with various seating areas of different sizes around the central bar, plus a little patio seating at the front. It does offer food, but generally only at lunchtimes, and both pool and darts are available as you would expect. My hopes weren't high when ordering a Ringwood Razor Back (£3.80) from the one operational handpump from a bank of three, but that turned out to be a reasonable pint.

Large Marstons pub in the baronial style, lots of dark wood. On my visit the beer was poor,the music far to loud and only four customers on a Saturday afternoon.This sort of pub is normally very popular. A pub nearby is closed and it is a large residential area. Where does everyone go ? Large car park,good wheelchair access and its all on one level. I hope this place improves.