The Black Prince, Woodstock

Called in here on an early midweek lunchtime, still in the last throes of covid regulations I was required to wait at the rear entrance to the pub to be seated, which I did for around 2 minutes before becoming bored ,so walked in only to be ticked of by an over officious balding but ponytailed bar manager, anyhow as I gazed around a completly empty pub I asked is it alright to take a seat for a quick beer, "I'll have to check the book, we're pretty well booked up." said the over officious balding but ponytailed bar manager, I'm only going to be 20 minutes I said. " you can sit there he said ushering me over to a tiny two seater table. I had a choice of two beers from the four handpumps, Loddon Hallabaloo and Chadlington Oxford Blue, a new beer to me that I found pleasant enough, as was the pub actually, attractivly solid stone built exterior and a pleasing traditional but basic interior. I was there for thirty minutes in the end , only one couple came in while I was there and no they hadn't booked causing more upheaval in an empty pub.I've docked a couple of points, one for the attitude and another for the ponytail. I would call in again, hopefully the rules will have long gone and the staff lightened up.

Good Beer Guide Regular. On the River Glyme (which I had just walked) and on the main road back to Chipping Norton, Opposite Bleinheim Palace, this is in an enviable position. Beer Garden - outdoor toilets and into the main bar area which is single roomed, with modern desk like tables and bench seating running along the back wall. Bar (with suit of armour) one end, wood burning log fire at the other. Friendly hosts with two hand pulls on. Tribute and a much rarer (and chosen) Oxford Blue from nearby Chadlington Brewery. Great condition.

Official site of The Black Prince - www.theblackprincewoodstock.com

Official site of The Black Prince - www.theblackprincewoodstock.com

This pub, in the old part of Woodstock, has an idyllic setting next to the River Glyme and the grounds of Blenheim Palace. The pub dates back to the 16th Century and certainly has the aspect of an historic hostelry on approach, but upon entering, the feel is a little different thanks to some tasteful modernisation. As far as I could tell, the pub has one main bar to the front and a small snug off one side, making it considerably smaller inside than it appears in passing. The bar area has modern banquette seating around the perimeter and a smart servery in the rear left corner. The room has lots of dark wood beams and exposed stonework plus a nice fireplace on the end wall and was dimly lit on a bright summer's day, making it rather atmospheric, even if all the customers had elected to sit outside. The snug has a few additional seating options but seemed to double as a storage area and didn't look particularly appealing. Keeping with the historic theme, traditionalists will be pleased to learn of the outdoor toilet block. We followed the crowd and perched ourselves in the garden on one of the many picnic tables by the side of the river. There were four ales available, from which I tried a pleasant pint of the Loddon Hullabaloo, which I learnt was one of their house beers. We also stopped off to have some lunch here and I thought my burger was good value, as were the dishes enjoyed by others in our party. Staff here seemed friendly and were patient and helpful in bringing items like high chairs and bowls of water for dogs out to the garden. This struck me as a nice pub that probably works just as well in the middle of winter as it did on a hot summer's afternoon thanks to its comfy, traditional interior and attractive beer garden. The beer quality and range was encouraging and I suspect this is a good alternative to avoid the tourist trap pubs at the other end of town.