Blackwell Ox Inn, Middlesbrough

Popular dining oriented pub in a small village just off the A172. Multi roomed and much extended, covid rules still in place so it was table service only and with little scope for exploration. Four pumps in pairs on opposite sides of the counter, Jorvik and a Three Brothers beer on one pair and Wainwright and a blank but terribly fancy hand pull on the other side. GBG 2021 listed and my Jorvik was fine but not outstanding. Noted for its food, a lot of the menu is genuine and excellent Thai food plus a fairly standard English range. There is a holiday park somewhere round the back but I didn’t see it. Very busy when we called in and nearly didn’t get a table but the service was good from both the English and Thai staff. Traditional decoration apart from grey plague on the wall paper, cream or brown woodwork, cream walls above the dado and a restrained carpet. Pubby nic- nacs, brewery mirrors, old ad’s and prints make up the rest of the decor.