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The Coach & Horses, Banbury
Banbury
OX16 5JH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Coach & Horses
The Coach & Horses is an L-shaped Hook Norton Brewery pub with a serving counter to the right that faces a mix of standard and high tables across the front. A small stage is located across the front windows for the advertised regular live music, but there was just some background music playing during my recent Wednesday late afternoon visit. More seating continues up the left-hand wall to a dartboard at the rear and out the back is a split-level beer garden that was more popular than the pub itself. Five of the six hand pumps were in use drawing HN’s Hooky, Old Hooky, Hooky Gold and Wanderer alongside Weston’s Old Rosie Rhubarb. The service was polite and the Hooky was on good form, but I didn’t find the pub itself to be that comfortable and one of the other two customer was very loud and high pitched which didn’t add to the C&H experience. Maybe I’ll give it another chance next time I’m passing.
On 10th June 2025
- rating: 5
[User has posted 6168 recommendations about 6131 pubs]
Quinno _ left this review about The Coach & Horses
Massive change here to the extent I momentarily questioned whether I'd entered the right pub. Any old cosiness has been ruthlessly stripped out, areas have been further knocked into and the walls are now red blue and yellow like a Fisher Price TV show set. Lights off early weekday evening and it felt gloomy. Almost all the tables reserved, most of them were still empty well-past their allotted showtimes. Retreated to the decent rear patio garden with the alphabetti spaghetti Pride flags strung-up so I'm assuming they're trying to corner the Tik-Tok yoof market; whether said market will keep the range of Hook Norton ales turning over is perhaps a different matter, but my pint of Hooky was fine (NBSS 3), if served in a glass that proves they have a fundamental problem with their dishwasher. GBG listed for ’24.
February 2012
A Hook Norton pub hidden away up a side-street with a brand new posh interior still smelling of mocha and wood which I thought was done rather well. The snuggy bit to the left of the bar with horsey wall paper looked very good and I rather fancied sitting there, alas it was being hogged by a female staff member eating her dinner. An impressive patio garden to the rear makes it look like a good summer pub. Four ales, Hooky Gold, Bitter, 12 Days and Oxfordshire Ales Uncle Scrooge (all served through sparklers, sadly). I tried the Scrooge and 12 Days and both came out pretty well, if expensive. Still, the 12 Days was 30p cheaper than the Reindeer! Food is pushed and there were a family eating opposite. I rather liked it in here, though the traditional pub-goer might have reservations. Give it a go. Rated 7
On 4th September 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5657 recommendations about 5638 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Coach & Horses
Hook Norton pub in the town centre that is slightly set back from the main shopping street on a separate side street.
It was quiet when we arrived, with just 2 customers present, a man inside and a woman outside. Music was playing at quite a loud volume, but the young barmaid offered a friendly welcome.
Hooky, Old Hooky & Off The Hook are the real ales. The cider was Rosie's Pig. The pub is listed in the Good Beer Guide.
Inside is quite brightly decorated with a large room nearest the bar and a smaller side room (probably more suited to diners) off to the left-hand side. The garden area was partly covered and seemed like a nice space. It also contained a dartboard.
On 20th July 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3204 recommendations about 3202 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about The Coach & Horses
Nice imposing building, inside is modernised including fairy lights. Hook Norton beers and worth a stop
On 18th March 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1540 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Coach & Horses
Historic Hook Norton pub, but given an unexpected light, modern makeover that actually works quite well and is seemingly popular with younger customers too. Excellent choice from the bank of six handpumps, including the Mild (£4.00) and Red Rye in addition to the expected Hooky, Old Hooky and Hooky Gold, plus Rosie's Pig cider.
On 20th April 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8813 recommendations about 8813 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about 4
A modernised pub/bar of little ambiance,wooden flooring,plain white walls and ceiling with down lighters. Six handpumps offering just a couple of beers from Hook Norton, Best and Gold, also two Ciders, Rosies Pig and Flat tyre Rhubarb Cider. Not a place I'm likely to be drawn back to.
On 16th June 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2210 recommendations about 2176 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about 4
A very silly name for the former Coach & Horses,it's a street corner pub in the shopping area of Banbury ,close to both the Banbury Cross pub and a Banksy replica.There has been a modern makeover internally with a lounge area at the front with a number of sofas,some high tables ,a wooden floor and the bar to the right.There is a raised rear section with a mixture of mainly pine furniture,slate flooring and a bench seat running the length of the back wall.There is a walled courtyard to the side.
A Hook Norton tied house with 6 handpumps drawing two real ciders,HN Bitter ,Gold (decent) with a further HN clip reversed and one pump unused.
Lacking in character ,at least my ale was in decent nick but not a pub that I would place high on a revisit list when in Banbury.
On 12th February 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2997 recommendations about 2997 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Coach & Horses
Imposing town centre pub - over several floors.
Hook Norton Brews in great condition.
We were here as it was top of the list for pub food on Tripadvisor.
Came up trumps. One of the best meals out we have had - great menu, great food and superb service.
Highly recommending for pub dining.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2ixN3dV
On 16th January 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Coach & Horses
Been in a concept like this before its ok if you want to pay a lot of money for a pie i found it a bit unfriendly with a notice one pie you get one plate young lad dancing about the place not very nice when he served us did not know if he was Arthur or Martha
On 14th July 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Michael Boyes left this review about The Coach & Horses
The pub has a modern and trendy look, with the ale (Hook Norton) on top form on our visit. Four ales on sale and a selection of lagers and wine. The food menu has a very good selection at reasonable prices.
On 24th October 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 55 recommendations about 55 pubs]