The Marlstone Tavern, Banbury

Facebook page of The Marlstone Tavern - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Marlstone Tavern - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Marlstone Tavern - piepub.co.uk

Official site of The Marlstone Tavern - piepub.co.uk

This is a food-oriented public house with all tables laid out for diners, leaving limited drinking space (although this isn't frowned upon as can be at other food-led establishments). Four ales on during my visit: Adnam's Southwold Bitter, Tring Side Pocket For A Toad, Timothy Taylor Landlord and Rudgate Hoppy Hooker. The latter chimed in at £1.95 for a half, but was served in a highball glass, so a massive little victory was won. There's some seating out front, but the temperature wasn't conducive to al fresco drinking, so I swiftly supped my excess ale and departed.

The Black Boy is a decent looking stone built pub that is in the small village of Milton which lies midway between Bloxham and Adderbury. Once inside all of the tables in the main room were laid out for diners,the only drinking area was to the far left up one step,this area was very small and to make things worse the seating looked like park benches. There were three pumps on the bar but two of these had Marco Pierre White beers so i did'nt bother to note these,i had a drink of Adnams bitter which was a very poor drink that tasted slightly off. This is more of a posh restaurant than a pub with signs saying Wheelers of St James's,but the staff who served us were friendly enough even though we were just drinkers. If you want a fancy meal this place will be right up your street,if you want a drink here like i did then dont bother. Pub visited 11/5/2013