The Gardeners Arms, Jericho, Oxford

The Oxford area of Jericho has some very good back street corner pubs and first time to visit this one. As mentioned by other reviewers it retains two traditional wood floored and wood panelled front sections as you enter the front door. The small bar serving area is housed in the right section and the left is larger and has a corridor leading to the very pleasant outside garden area. It was a fine weather day for our visit so the outside space was being well utilised at the expense of the internal rooms. So our party were able to utilise the left hand room and take in the collection of classic vinyl album covers and the large collection of beer pump clips that adorn the upper wall space of both rooms. Four beers available from the pimps on the small bar and for our visit these were North Cotwold Brewery Summer Solstice, Wantsum Brewery Montgomery, Box Clever Ales Soul train and a very pleasant XT4. Really enjoyed it here and will not hesitate to return when next in Jericho.

A very charming Jericho street corner pub,my favourite on an extended crawl.It retains two sections from the front door both with wooden floors,to the left rectangular and leading to a rear room,to the right the bar with more traditional round and oblong tables and chairs.Very popular with students who all seem to be attracted to the left side,leaving the bar uncluttered.In both sections there is a high shelf with a collection of classic vinyl album covers,a pretty original and well thought out display.The pub has been well known for vegan and vegetarian food since reopening in 2003 and at most reasonable prices even students could manage.Free newspapers were another nice touch and the large collection of pump clips indicates a changing real ale lineup.On my trip that meant White Horse Dragon Hill,Springhead Robin Hood,Brakspears Bitter,Kite Bluestone Bitter (very decent) with a further handpump devoted to Rosie's Pig Cider.A decent real ale selection without any premiership brewers but respectable for Oxford. The pub retains a great atmosphere,everything you could hope for in Jericho and is very genuine.Very well worth a visit,I will be back.