White Lion, Bicester

Traditional Oxfordshire stone building. A freehouse, with four ales available, often featuring a dark beer (and there was one on my visit). Low-ceilinged main bar with football on the TV at the far end. Quieter area with wood-burning stove to the left. Darts available and there’s a large garden. Notes AWOL, so won’t leave a rating this time.

Nice pub, a warm and pleasant pit stop on a dreadful winters night run up the M40. Unusual range of beers, Willoughby's has only been going a few months and I'm surprised it's got this far from home yet but was in good shape and very welcome. Unusual taste in furniture too, strangely high is one way of looking at it it I suppose. Well worth a stop, in just 5 minutes from the dreadful Cherwell Valley services you can't do better, or make for a longer visit if you're in the area anyway.