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Submitted on Monday, 4^th March 2024
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The Gardeners Arms, Oxford

39 Plantation Road
Jericho
Postal town: Oxford
OX2 6JE

Phone: 01865559814

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Served areas

Oxford Central, Jericho

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Reviews of The Gardeners Arms (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Quinno _ left this review about The Gardeners Arms

Odd that I haven’t reviewed the place since 2014, I know I have been in at least twice since then. Anyway, it remains pretty much as was although I was really surprised to see it so empty given the pubs in town (and just down the way at the Rose were doing a roaring Christmas trade; by comparison there were barely half a dozen people in here. Taking the hint I went for a half of the Renegade Santa Claws which inevitably was lacking a bit of turnover (NBSS 2.5). Is something going on here that I don’t know about?

October 2014
Revisited twice - have found the decent-sized rear room (wood panelled) as well as the decent-sized grassed garden. The veggie food was selling well and portion sizes looked good and on my last visit got to try some; very nice it was too. Up to four ales on in good nick. I do like this place and have upped my mark. Well-worth the walk and as previously stated, close enough (5 mins, if that) from the Rose & Crown to make a great double-header. Rated 8

April 2014
Classic Oxford backstreet local. Inside looks to have had two rooms knocked through at some stage though there’s still enough partition to not make it open plan. Left hand side has full-length wood panelling. Mention elsewhere of a rear room with bar billiards but I didn’t spot it. Classic LP covers for décor. Nice atmosphere inside if perhaps a little quiet. Selection of papers available, plus a DVD and book exchange. Five pumps sporting four ales; Ringwood 49er, Marstons SMASH (good nick), White Horse Lippizzaner and Loose Cannon (spluttered and died) as well as Thatchers Heritage cider. Staff quite a leftfield bunch, the chap behind the bar was waistcoated, looked like Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen’s brother. Pickled onions and eggs behind the bar (45p an egg). Hot food available, veggie stuff but I didn’t look at the menu too closely though has garnered praise elsewhere. Apparently there’s a rear garden but I missed it. Good little stop, this one and is only a few minutes from the Rose & Crown as well. Not to be confused with the Gardeners Arms in North Parade. Rated 7

April 2014
Classic Oxford backstreet local. Inside looks to have had two rooms knocked through at some stage though there’s still enough partition to not make it open plan. Left hand side has full-length wood panelling. Mention elsewhere of a rear room with bar billiards but I didn’t spot it. Classic LP covers for décor. Nice atmosphere inside if perhaps a little quiet. Selection of papers available, plus a DVD and book exchange. Five pumps sporting four ales; Ringwood 49er, Marstons SMASH (good nick), White Horse Lippizzaner and Loose Cannon (spluttered and died) as well as Thatchers Heritage cider. Staff quite a leftfield bunch, the chap behind the bar was waistcoated, looked like Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen’s brother. Pickled onions and eggs behind the bar (45p an egg). Hot food available, veggie stuff but I didn’t look at the menu too closely though has garnered praise elsewhere. Apparently there’s a rear garden but I missed it. Good little stop, this one and is only a few minutes from the Rose & Crown as well. Not to be confused with the Gardeners Arms in North Parade. Rated 7

On 13^th April 2025 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]

Tris C left this review about The Gardeners Arms

Date of visit: 5th September 2016.

A first in here on our PuG crawl last July and I've certainly missed out over the 23-year on/off time spent in Oxford.
Nicely described below with the two-room format, one lined with books and both topped with vinyl album covers published over the last 50-odd years. There's a small bar with some copper pipe shelving to the rear and there are some internal beams with a bare floor and traditional furniture. There's a long thin rear garden with traditional outhouse lavatories. Food is served and it's 100% vegan/vegetarian. Clients are a mixed bunch; academics and ordinary (for Jericho) locals - this pub is sufficiently off the beaten track to be missed out by tourists though is home to at least one annual 'steampunk' festival.
Despite making two return visits since July, I can't remember what I drank, but I do know that the ales were on top form though attracted Jericho prices.
The pub's website describes the staff as friendly for which I normally read 'miserable bastards'. But it's true! The staff here genuinely are friendly, even at the end of the day (the pub has a very welcome 12.00 am licence Monday to Saturday and 11.00 pm on Sunday).
This is a superb little pub and worth more than a detour as I would describe this as an Oxford destination, made all the better when combined with the Rose & Crown and Victoria in between.
My only criticism? My pickled onion was slimy which is unpardonable - a pickled onion should be identified by its sharp crunch.

Rated 9.

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Following COVID, the landlord had decreed that henceforth, the pub would operate a table-only service mentioned by Ian – with rope across the door – because he believed that this was the European way and logical way to go; not long after, he ditched the practice, essentially claiming that it was daft.
A return last Bank Holiday weekend and thankfully the pub is back to normal and unchanged, with just three pumps, my half of Mortimer’s Crafty One (£2.70) was pleasant though unexceptional.
This is still a must-visit Oxford pub, but as mentioned, there seems to be a bit more of an emphasis now on food, so much as I like it, I couldn’t now stay for the whole evening, especially given that the opening times have been curtailed. And yapping dogs are now accepted.

On 2^nd September 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2207 recommendations about 2164 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Gardeners Arms

Charming side street pub, greatly benefitting from finally ditching the Covid-era table service rules. Comprises two rooms, with the bar to the right of the entrance and a slightly larger dining room on the other side, with both parts traditionally furnished and decorated. With three of the four handpumps in use, I found Goff's Jester Brew 28 Glacier Pale, Hongi from Little Ox and Oxford Brewery's Let the Dragon see the Wolf (£5.30) in action.

On 25^th February 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]

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Jericho and beyond. by Bucking Fastard

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