The Castle, Oxford

A corner pub with a mock Tudor frontage, Hook Nortons first foray into Oxford, the internal room is raised above street level with the bar to your right as you enter with a smallish room beyond, smart but not particularly remarkable with plenty of sensible height seating but also some high, presumably to lend a little trendiness to the setting. Eight handpumps lined the bar, four beers from Hook Norton including an excellent Double Stout, a couple of guest beers, 360 degrees Pale Ale and Gun Dog Jack Spaniels,on the last two handles were a couple of Ciders, the two guys working the bar seemed to know their stuff and were quick and efficient, always reassuring. This is now a half decent pub with a well balanced beer selection,a little off the main drag but certainly worth a look.

Official site of The Castle - thecastleoxford.co.uk

Official site of The Castle - thecastleoxford.co.uk

Former gay pub now taken over by Hook Norton as noted by Hondo below. The interior isn't too dissimilar to its previous incarnation with bar facing on entry and seating far left, although the background muzak is a little less camp. The draw is now the bar, with its 8 handpumps, not just dispensing Hook Norton beers, although these were in the majority. Three were reversed with one dispensing a cider and another XT4. One of the reversed clips was for Tiny Rebel Cwtch which I missed out on. The new Westgate centre has now been completed opposite, so this is a good alternative to the nearby Wetherspoons, if its clientele starts getting to you.

has been taken over by Hook Norton Brewery