Cross Keys, Wallingford

Facebook page of Cross Keys - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Cross Keys - www.facebook.com

Official site of Cross Keys - www.thecrosskeyswallingford.com

Official site of Cross Keys - www.thecrosskeyswallingford.com

Layout-wise, previous reviews remain accurate, albeit this pub is now owned by Oak Taverns (of the noted Cross Keys in Thame), so it has now had a lick of paint and all Brakspear paraphernalia removed (although they have kept the original sign out back for posterity). Four ales on the tiny bar which included XT 4 (their house ale), Vale Red Kite, Northern Monk Eternal and Siren Lumina - a decent hazy pint for £4.80 (and yes, it was supposed to be served like that). There is a large beer garden to the pub's right as you look at it which abuts the original Wallingford town wall, which dates to Anglo-Saxon times, meaning they can't make any alterations involving digging without the input of English Heritage! Ticking over nicely since the change of hands, this is now in the realms of 'must-visit' if coming to this Thames-side town.

Ancient Brakspears pub just outside the town centre, with a collection of interconnecting rooms over different levels. Three ales - Brakspears Bitter and Oxford Gold, plus Hobgoblin which were a mixed bag, quality-wise. This is an old-style boozer mainly populated by men of a certain character. This is borne out by the bulging cupboard of trophies that the pub has won down the years. The dart board upstairs looked like it gets a lot of action. An intrinsic air of scruffiness and damp pervades, perhaps more down to the age of the building than anything else. We got a ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ from the lady behind the bar which was nice. I’d give this one a go again in the evening as I imagine the atmosphere would be good. Would’ve been a 7 if the ale quality had held up.