The Royal Blenheim, Oxford

Modernised corner pub with sporty theme, hidden off the main streets but near the castle. Less twee than some other places, there is bus seat bench seating. Piped background music and sport of the two plasma screens. One open room with the bar to the side, it lacks the character of some of the other pubs but makes up for it with 9 real ales, with a tie to White Horse. The beers are served in southern style. A 6.5 out of 10 for me.

There is little I can add to the last review. It is an Everards pub operated by White Horse brewery under the William scheme I believe it's called. What a great job they are making of it too. I was well impressed. There were 3 White Horse brewery beers on plus an Everards beer which the scheme stipulates should be on, plus 6 others. It has made it into the 2011 Good Beer Guide, and the ale choice and condition was great. My first visit but will always be on the list for when we are in Oxford. We enjoyed York Williamette and Derventio Barbarian.

This pub in the centre of Oxford, next to the modern art gallery, attracted me with its links to the White Horse Brewery, but I was pleased to find a pub that offered so much more. The first thing that struck me as I entered was a row of ten hand pumps, situated right in the middle of the bar, with mainstream draught lagers and ciders consigned to the extremities. The beer line up was an eclectic mix, mostly from local micros. White Horse were represented with Wayland Smithy, White Horse Bitter and Village Idiot, the latter of which was a lovely, hoppy blonde beer. In addition to this they had Brentwood Best, Brains Rev James, West Berkshire Brewery Maggs Mild and Banks & Taylor Edwin Taylor Stout. The three remaining pumps had coming soon clips on them. A blackboard on a pillar to the right of the bar lists all of the ales on offer and mentions that they can be purchased in pints, halves, thirds and two thirds. The interior comprises of a spacious tiled area in front of the bar - ideal for vertical drinking when it gets busy - with a split level section at the front which offers some upholstered pews and leather banquettes. A cosier area around the corner from the end of the bar had additional seating in a space with more muted lighting. Two TV screens were showing some obscure rugby fixture from the Welsh channel S4C, with the commentary initially in Welsh, before being switched to English later on. A sign on the front door makes it clear that this is a football free zone, which might explain the odd viewing choice. A couple of the locals appeared to be enjoying it, as were the jovial barmen, who were a pleasure and engaged in a bit of banter with all their customers, including new faces such as myself. An alcove in the front corner makes the perfect spot for a dartboard. Menus on the tables listed some fairly standard pub grub, but I noticed a specials board as well which offered a bit more variety. I didn't get to sample the food, but the dishes I saw coming out looked very tasty and prices seemed reasonable. I really enjoyed this place and would like to visit again when it's a bit busier to get a better feel for the atmosphere. I would whole-heartedly recommend this place to anyone, ale drinker or otherwise, looking for a quality town centre pub free from the tourist trail.

Superb town pub. Tricky to find fault - excellent beers from White Horse brewery and guests, home-cooked food, efficient staff. Recommended.