The Perch Inn, Oxford

A lovely approach to this place from the river path, underneath lit archways and the like, then through a pretty impressive willow tree garden. The bar area has a decent semi-snug section with two dining areas off, but it does lack a bit of genuine character. There’s also an outside shed bar for summer. The pub itself is heavily food-led but drinking solo is encouraged by three cask (Vale Brill, Hooky Gold and Siren Yulu) and Westons Family Reserve cider. I tried a couple of the ales and both were in good shape. I thought this one was a decent stop, though it’s probably much easier to enjoy as a warm autumn’s evening with the garden to add space than in the winter when you’re elbow-to-elbow with diners. Still, score it as you find it... 6.5

I came here once before in the autumn of 1993 so didn't remember it well but the interior seemed markedly different. Gone were the ersatz black beams, Toby jugs and horse brasses. The interior seems old modern: some woodwork painted gastropub grey/blue but with some exposed rough hewn stone walls in a multi-room format with a lounge area to one end with a log burning stove and dining area to the other. The reason for the apparent change is that the pub has burnt down a couple of times since my last visit. The first thing you notice is that all the tables have 'reserved' signs on them; this is very much a food led pub with seemingly little if any space for drinkers save for the large beer garden. Service was polite and efficient but the food quality fell a little short. A greater problem lay in the yapping dogs and crying babies which are completely unacceptable in a restaurant of this calibre. Ales: four from Hook Norton. This pub may be ok for a meal and may even come into its own on a balmy summer evening when sitting outside, but after a fair walk across Port Meadow in the driving rain the pub offers little reward for the drinker, so I don't envisage a return unless drinking all'aperto on warmer nights.

Lovely and unique approach from the Thames Path - down a sunken lane, with arches bedecked with fairly lights. Certainly an unforgettable approach. Large beer garden with its own serving shed. They had gravity fed Old Hooky, which was much clearer than in the Trout but quickly became lifeless, as you would expect. £8.90 for this and a lager and lime. Nice place. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2tTyJCt