The Crown, Oxford

A bit of a contradiction in terms, but this is a bog-standard historic pub in an alleyway from Nicholsons, totally pitched at the tourist market yet without any at time of visit. There are some nice historic features but it feels a bit over the top yet slightly unloved. The yard outside is wedged with too many tables, which doesn't help. Ales seemed in fair condition but were not hugely exciting: Adnams Bitter and Ghost Ship, Rev James, Doom Bar and the St Austell house bitter.

A Nicholson’s pub set back from the road in an alleyway leading down to a pleasant courtyard, it certainly looks quite enticing and is the sort of place you can’t resist wandering in to in order to explore further. Internally it’s got quite a traditional feel with plenty of black beams on a white plastered ceiling, as well as white plasterwork on the walls and dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. Flooring was a mixture of wood strip and some old flagstones at the rear, with large windows giving views out on to the courtyard. Some glass panelling was etched with the Nicholson’s logo, and a number of old black and white pictures of the locale were on the walls. A chalkboard on the wall advertised a number of forthcoming events, including a Lego evening which is one that I’ve not seen before. Beers on tap were their own Nicholson’s Pale Ale, Adnam’s Ghost Ship, Brakspear Oxford Gold, Oakham Scarlet Macaw, Siren Sound Wave, Black Sheep and Doom Bar. Ciders on tap meanwhile were Mortimer’s Orchard Original and English Berry varieties, as well as Old Rosie and Rosie’s Pig racked up on boxes behind the bar.

As others have said, this place bears an uncanny resemblance to the Chequers up the road. Fairly typical in its Nicholson's format though much better maintained than my last visit at least 15 years ago. Given the number of tourists milling around the locale, it was surprisingly quiet. Worth a visit for curiosity value, but as this is a central Oxford pub, it's a magnet for both tourists and students alike.

A good solid Nicholson chain establishment that, despite being on the busy Cornmarket Street, was not overrun with tourists. probably due to its location at the bottom of a courtyard entrance. Internally plenty of the usual dark wood décor familiar with Nicholson’s establishments with wooden floors , tables and chairs and low dark beamed ceilings. But it also benefits from having a very pleasant outside seating area in the courtyard area to the front. It was the last pub of the day for me so although I can’t remember the details I remember that the beers available were fairly mainstream offerings from the Nicholson list but I do remember also going for the Red Squirrel Hopfest Pale which was a good way to finish the day.