Old Tom, Oxford

When I go off-piste and visit a pub that isn’t on my list I’m normally massively disappointed, but I actually thought that the Old Tom was OK, even though run by Greene King. This is a long and thin bare boarded pub with benches in the front window to the left of the entrance and an L-shaped bar counter that runs up the left facing small tables that run up the right. Some more seating is found at the rear where some steps lead to a flagstone beer garden. Standard and premium keg was available and the three hand pumps were drawing St Austell’s Tribute, TT Landlord and GK Abbot Ale. The barman was friendly, but the barmaid was less so. This isn’t somewhere I’d actively search out, but I’d pop back in if passing.

A long narrow pub , not without any charm as described previously, the fact that the rain was hissing down outside made for a welcome stop. There are three handpumps and they were offering up Abbot, Landlord and Black Sheep Pale. I stayed a little longer than I normally would due to the weather and it wouldn't be on any hit list to return but was nice enough.

Official site of Old Tom - www.oldtomoxford.com

Official site of Old Tom - www.oldtomoxford.com

I came here once in late 1993 and thought that after nearly a quarter of a century, another visit was warranted. Situated in lovely St. Aldates, the pub takes its name from the bell housed in Christ Church College's bell tower, diagonally opposite. This was a dreary, dowdy affair but has now been taken a notch or two more upmarket than before, at least as upmarket as a Greene King pub can be. This is a very narrow but long pub with some bare brick, part wood panelled and side bar with a garden to the rear. Furniture is conventional, though sadly there's a games machine and judging by the pungent smell of nam pla, Thai food must be the order of the day. Ales: Greene King's Abbot and Ale Fresco at £1.75 a half which is about right for the area. This is far better than it was all those years ago, but the limited ale and stench of Thai food reduces its appeal; there are better pubs in the immediate vicinity, not least the St. Aldates' Tavern just up the road.

A long, very narrow Greene King outlet with minimal seating and side bar. Upmarket ambiance with flowers on tables, muted lighting etc. Short narrow patio garden to rear with a mezzanine (roped off). Three GK brews, Abbot, OSH and Ale Fresco (good nick). Inhabited by tourists, assorted academics and Uni hoorays. Thai food offered at quite reasonable prices. An etched mirror states the pub was named after the bell in Christchurch College. WiFi and papers offered though the quizzer at the rear was unplugged. Not one I’d rush back to in OX1 but decent enough.