The Highwayman, Thrupp, Kidlington

Official site of The Highwayman - thehighwaymanhotel.co.uk

Official site of The Highwayman - thehighwaymanhotel.co.uk

This is a handsome enough stone building but, as Mr. F notes, it all feels a little unloved. Our sandwiches were good, well priced and substantial and the staff and locals were friendly enough. Just an indifferent Otter Bitter available on cask. It feels as though the hand of the Pubco weighs heavy here and it would take very little effort to turn this into a decent boozer. In the meantime it's worth dropping in for a sandwich.

Down a dip off the main road and easy to miss. Frankly I wish we had. Confusing signage to find the right door in but you do at least pass a large grass garden with a Wind-in-the-Willows style scene of canalboats and the like. Inside is a long narrow room with a sofa and wood burner at one end. Magnolia painted stone walls and pub carpet. Four pumps but just one on, a poor St Austell Proper Job at a sky-high price of £3.95 served up by Oscar the Grouch sans the bin. It’s called the Highwayman and lives up to the name, though at least Dick Turpin dressed-up and wore a mask.