Turtle Bay, Oxford

As other reviews have pointed out the interior of this place is rather bland and uninspiring , it was quite busy on my visit and the beer and service was very good . My pint of Isle of Purbeck Solar Power was pretty good , even though the beer was good and one of the barmaids appeared to be wearing her pyjamas i felt no need to stay for more than one pint .

Yes this is a CAMRA award winning, independent pub in the heart of Oxford which is rightly popular for; real ale, ciders, quality pub food and quarterly beer festivals. And it correctly receives plaudits for having six regularly changing real ales available, sometimes even changing during the day depending on the demand. Which is why it was awarded Oxford CAMRA Pub of the Year 2011. But unfortunately this does not totally overcome the issue that it completely lacks character and the experience is equivalent to having a beer in a doctor’s waiting room. But given that the building used to be a warehouse/storeroom for Debenhams I guess they have done as well as they could with the interior. Plenty of available comfortable seating to enjoy a fine pint of Vale Brewery Best Bitter on this particular Saturday lunchtime, but then there was hardly anyone in.

I didn't take to this pub at all,large open plan and totally devoid of any atmosphere that I could detect,it reminded me of a cross between a large JDW and a works canteen.My beer of choice was the aptly named (by this time of day)Puddled Duck by the Green Duck Brewing Co,it turned out to be a rather forgettable drink.I didn't enjoy my short visit here and are not likely to return.