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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Ampleforth, Oxford
Headington
Oxford
OX3 8HH
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Ampleforth
This pub was built in the late 1930s by Ind Coope and was apparently C. S. Lewis’s local, but did he drink here or while away the hours in the Eagle & Child?
As mentioned, this is a very basic two-room pub, with a small bar to the rear of the left-hand side, thereafter grey paint and a carpet with fairly conventional furniture. On my arrival around 9.00 pm last Bank Holiday Monday, there seemed to be some sort of indoor street party going down, with loud disco music and flashing lights coming from the right-hand room, little children running around all over the place shepherded by a local crowd; it was then that I noticed mylar balloons advertising ‘Family Fun Day’ which explained it.
The only ale choice was Pride, passed in favour of a half of Guinness (£2.15), served by a glum barman who, unlike other members of staff, didn’t have glitter spattered all over his face.
This is far from being a great pub, but it seems to serve a common purpose and all those in attendance (aside from me) were enjoying the community spirit, so good for them.
On 4th September 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2208 recommendations about 2165 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Komakino . left this review about The Ampleforth
This inter-war (1938) pub, closed for a couple of years, has recently become a community-owned venture (the eighth in the county of Oxfordshire), although, sadly, just half of the original pub now operates as a going concern - the major half now agreed to be converted to flats. Pleasingly, well-attended on a Sunday arvo visit, the current incarnation has rooms either side of an old school 30s entrance, interconnected with a bar serving both. TV screens either side showing a Premier League match and a three-ale line-up of Black Sheep. Black Sheep Holy Grail and Shotover Prospect (the latter in decent shape and great on the beer miles). Some of the locals are colourful, but the friendly barstaff made up for it and a resurrection is always to be applauded. It's a shame the whole pub couldn't have been brought back to life, but something is better than nothing.
On 11th February 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1077 recommendations about 1077 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Ampleforth
due to open in november
On 6th October 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Ampleforth
Relatively basic two room (knocked-through) estate boozer. Bar to the left with nice maroon banquette and a TV showing Sky Sports News. Pool, darts, pinball and jukey to the right. Oxford Utd supporting pub, with the colours on display. Two ales, Wadworth 6X and Robinsons Dizzy Blonde (warm and poor condition on both counts). Shame.
On 20th May 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]