The Harcourt Arms, Oxford

As has been noted, The Harcourt is far from the archetypal, Jericho, street corner boozer but it has been recently refurbished by Fullers and is a very comfortable place to be. The furniture is mismatched wood with one notable high backed settle and there's plenty of vertical drinking space by the bar with a second high bar opposite creating the perfect area if you don't feel like sitting down. There's been a fair amount of thought put into the layout of this relatively small space. Added to this were two, lit real fires and a couple of friendly dogs pottering around. It feels like a proper, welcoming local pub. Added to all this was a decent selection of Fullers beers - Olivers Island, London Pride, HSB and Seafarers with the HSB easily winning Jericho pint of the evening. The addition of Bengal Lancer, ESB and London Porter to that list would make this nirvana. The best beer we found in Jericho.

Official site of The Harcourt Arms - www.harcourtarmsjericho.co.uk

Official site of The Harcourt Arms - www.harcourtarmsjericho.co.uk

A street corner building with a harsh exterior design amongst the earlier terraced houses,this Fuller's tied pub has had a full makeover.The interior is open plan but with two fireplaces both belting out a warm heat on a cold evening,you can imagine the old layout.There is a mix of wooden furniture,some sofas ,with some red leather upholstery but tea lights on every table and candles on the mantlepieces is part of the modern vibe here.The laid back muzak was funky,and the copper topped bar attractive. The four handpumps were drawing Seafarers,London Pride,ESB and Bengal Lancer in great nick but £4.No urinal in the gents did give me pause to consider if I had walked through the wrong door.I didn't investigate the beer garden as the temperature had gone seriously minus. Friendly welcome and well kept Fullers ales would make this pub worth another visit,I suppose the trendy refurb would grow on you as strong ale was being consumed.

Solid backstreet inter-war building that is run by Fullers. Interior was a right let-down, dull, opened out and modernized inside though the old (unused) fireplace looked nice. Right hand side had duck egg blue three-quarter length wood panelling, left side heavy on red leatherette seating. Apparently a rear patio garden but you need to exit the pub and go round the side to access(?). Three Fullers ales, Chiswick, ESB and Pride. My ESB was in pretty good shape, which sadly is unusual in many Fullers outlets these days. Unfortunately it was spoilt a bit by being served in a heavily-pitted glass. Laid-back piano music gave a nice atmosphere. Note: the Gents has no urinals which can cause momentary panic! Would pop back in based on the ESB but as a pub I could easily overlook it.