The Old Post Office, Wallingford

As the name implies, this is a conversion from an attractive old Post Office building. Sports a large modern interior which nonetheless has a number of characterful touches and alcoves. The front has a large modern bar area, with a restaurant to the rear. Décor is the ubiquitous stripped wood floor, large comfy chairs and sofas etc though the use of dark wood adds some charm. The place seemed overrun by mums and sprogs which isn’t my bag really, and the terrible piped music was even more off-putting. Three ales on – Doom Bar, Loddon Ferryman’s and Hobgoblin. The quality wasn’t that great and one had to go back. There’s a lot of potential here but my visit wouldn’t prompt me to return without a hefty recommendation further down the line.

Since the Post Office decided to stop running post offices a number of attempts have been made at making a go of this 30s building. The original plan seems to have been for a Slug and Lettuce, but the locals weren't keen so its been a series of vaguely Italian/Spanish restaurants with a bit of a bar at the front. It still is. The bar at the front is really a waiting area for those eating or a place for a quick break from the shops. There is usually a nice pint of something fairly local, though the staff never seem all that clued up. We once asked for a glass of manzanilla expecting it to be stock item given the (then) Spanish theme. Having explained what it was we found they had no dry sherry at all. Though they very possibly didn't know what dry sherry is. The food is OK though, apparently.

Official site of the Old Post Office, contains menus, wine list and upcoming events - opowallingford.co.uk

Official site of the Old Post Office, contains menus, wine list and upcoming events - opowallingford.co.uk