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The Marsh Harrier, Temple Cowley, Oxford
Oxford
OX4 2HH
Pub Type
Fuller'sReviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Marsh Harrier
The L-shaped Marsh Harrier has a large table in the front window and a log fire on the left wall. Three of the five hand pumps were unused leaving London Pride and Seafarers as the cask options, the Pride wasn’t the best. Carlsberg and a premium keg range were also available. There’s a food menu, the burger is priced at £15. The barman couldn’t speak a word of English and when I asked him a question he shrugged and walked off. This is the worst Fullers pub I’ve been, at least for many years.
On 26th December 2022
- rating: 2
[User has posted 5252 recommendations about 5220 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Marsh Harrier
This pub was known as the Bullingdon Arms by at least 1939, the current name present since at least 2000 when I last set eyes on it, but didn’t go in.
As mentioned, this pub isn’t in the best in the area, being just off the rather unprepossessing Cowley Road and overlooking an industrial estate; it’s also a complete faff to reach. The interior is quite smart, with a modern boarded floor, attractive bar array with leaded stained glass pot shelf. The ceiling is low and white, the walls wasabi wainscoted, with some floral wallpaper. Furniture is traditional and décor comprises shelves of books and trendy prints, lighting being Victorian-style sconces.
Ales amounted to just Pride and Seafarer, me opting for a half of Guinness. When my half arrived, despite the fact that I’d been holding out my card from entry, the barman told me that there was a minimum spend of £5.00 on cards. I paid the £5.00 on the basis that I would get a second half later, but I was absolutely fuming. Pubs or shops are allowed to set their conditions, but they have to be clearly displayed; I couldn’t see anything. I returned to my seat but was so furious that I drank half of my half and stormed out.
This pub is ok, but it’s in a poor location, is a task to reach and I don’t take kindly to the arse of a barman's sharp practices. On the basis of these, this is a pub I'd certainly avoid. Go to central Oxford where there are lovely historic pubs with a better atmosphere, better beer and are just better all round.
On 28th May 2022
- rating: 2
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Marsh Harrier
Internally very much as described by Quinno, below, though Covid has taken its toll on the beer line-up. The only draft ale available was Pride, though Honeydew made for a good keg back-up. The food was freshly made and reasonably priced, and I had a pizza which I have to say was better than many others I’ve had. It’s not often I’m in this area now, but if I do come back I’d be happy to come here for a beer and a snack.
On 22nd September 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3251 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Marsh Harrier
An unexpected side-street Fullers outlet in what looks on first sight like an unpromising area, bordering on Cowley and overlooking an industrial unit. Looked like a fair wedge of money had been recently spent here; enter to an inevitably modernized interior - battleships grey walls and some stylized gold leaf wallpaper. Darts alcove to the right with a knocked through room to the left. Fire looked usable (there were logs) but on a dank and chilly November afternoon it remained unlit. Rear grassed garden done to a high standard with a mature weeping willow overhanging, very quaint. Selection of papers and live music advertised (Tom Hingley, he of the Inspiral Carpets). In what looked like a working area the clientele were decidedly middle class (gentrification?) so the refurb is clearly working. At the bar were five Fullers ales (including the special Wild River and seasonal Red Fox). The Red Fox was serviceable but lacking a little sparkle. Barman a bit of a dolt - unable to summon hot water for the preceding customers tea (exit stage left to find a kettle), then he couldn’t find the correct teabag (exit stage left to go hunting in the stock room) and continually failed to acknowledge my presence which put me out as I’d clocked up almost 5 minutes waiting for my beer and been held up by some Chloe wanting a cup of tea. Grr. An odd one - they're clearly trying but it didn't quite click for me. Perhaps the bar faff made me grumpy.
On 7th November 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]