The Trout Inn, Oxford

This is a pub with a history which apparently dates back to the 12th century, the current building dating from 1737. As mentioned in the previous review, this is a Morse pub but not one where he drank; the beer garden featuring in the episode Second Time Around. I came here a handful of times from the summer of ’94 to ’96 and aesthetics aside, it wasn’t a great pub with awful ale and bearably drinkable Guinness, the main attraction being the superb beer garden and rickety bridge. There was also a large herd of peacocks, shrieking their heads off and crapping all over the place like flying Labradors. With a mini crawl of neighbouring Wolvercote, I decided to knock this one on the head with the short walk to Godstow. On arrival, I noticed a peacock (now the only one) perched on the roof, like a giant weathervane; it was being squawked at by a large murder of crows. On entering, I didn’t recognise the place, which is as described below, now with a lounge holding area, with male and female Front of House enquiring: ‘Good evening, Sir. How may we help?’. I told them that after 26 years I didn’t recognise the place, which has undergone the full country pub gastrofication, with lovely timber beams, unsullied with paint, justified and ancient (like The KLF), but with a cream of mushroom soup colour scheme, furnished with wingback chairs; it’s all very corporate hospitality in appearance, looking like the bar for a country club or rural hotel, with spotlights. There’s a partial flagstone floor, paintings in gilt rococo frames and long bar to the rear, all to the gentle accompaniment of ambient mood music. The ale choice here is unimaginative, with just Landlord at £2.50 a half and fine, served by professional staff. This place is good for a lager or ‘craft’ beer on a sunny afternoon in the beer garden, but it’s just a bit sterile for me; the White Hart up the road in Wolvercote is a far better bet.

Some wonderful old buildings as you approach which fills you with hope for a wonderful old masterpiece but perhaps inevitably this place has had a four-to-the-floor gastroisation. Get in round the side and through a holding area to a long, bland and narrow bar. Two ales on over 4 brass handled pumps; a dull selection of Doom Bar and a lacklustre Wainwright. The terrace overlooking the river teeming with trout and a bridge to a small island is the star attraction. A location for Morse but I can’t imagine him actually drinking here…

Stopping off during a walk. Absolutely packed, as you would expect on a summers day, but the staff did seem to be coping well. We just wanted a quick pint as refreshment. Not too outrageous £8 for a lager and lime and an old hooky. Old Hooky in poor condition - not clear and poorer than average. Great location. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2tTyJCt