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Beer of the Week (w/e 5th May 2024) with Mobyduck
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Detail Pages
Turf Tavern, Oxford
Oxford
OX1 3SU
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Turf Tavern
Hidden away and worth seeking out,this pub features in the book Brideshead Revisited and is an Oxford institution.The bare stone walls,low ceiling and rambling interior lend a lot of atmosphere and the courtyard is a great sun trap in good weather.However it's firmly on the tourist trail and reminded me of another GK heritage pub,The Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham with both overrun by a very transient customer base during the day and early evening.There are two entrances each with a bar directly ahead and each with it's own set of handpumps so you will have to circumnavigate the interior to see the full ale range from 12 handpumps.Needless to say some GK dross was on offer in the form of Old Golden Hen,IPA Reserve and Olde Tripe while Old Rosie cider occupied another pull.Further real ciders in boxes on the bar.Real ale guests on my trip totalled Brew Co. Bitter,Great Orme Orme,Oxfordshire Blenheim,White Horse Blowing Stone,Hook Norton Lion,Scarborough Blonde,Nethergate Umbel Magna and North Yorkshire Flying Herbert,a decent range of styles without any obvious star turns.
It's not in the GBG which is a little odd given the rotating ale range,and what I had was well kept.Maybe the lack of pub atmosphere when busy,and the predominance of food puts the pub more in the category of one to see, for a quick one unless you pick a quiet time to visit.
On 9th June 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Turf Tavern
As previously mentioned a difficult pub to find but worth the effort if you have never visited before. I have but many moons ago and it was good to find it largely unchanged albeit having had a bit of a décor upgrade. The outside courtyard area reached through the length of the pub is still the best spot to search out on a fine weather day.
It was so long ago I can’t remember the beers or quality back then, but it has for sure not improved under the GK ownership. And neither appears the service levels, with the bar staff combatting the Saturday crowd with a grimace rather than a smile.
Fortunately there are enough guest beers outside the GK range and there were two Titanic ales (Steerage and Iceberg) and the Turf tavern Summer and Winter Ales, which are White Horse brews, not GK as mentioned below, when I visited and the Titanic brews were fine.
So I would say still worth a visit for the history and interesting characterful interior if you are an infrequent visitor to Oxford, and best visited during a quiet period. But there are definitely better beer and more comfortable pubs in the center of Oxford.
On 30th August 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2129 recommendations about 2004 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about Turf Tavern
A pub I had heard about and had to visit,I found the small side road but as Quinno has previously written there didn't seem to be a pub there,you walk down to the end only about 75 yards add you come to the entrance of a small hotel/guesthouse,to your left you will see a small sign with an arrow pointing the way to the Turf Tavern through a small open doorway set into the wall,through here and down a short corridor you emerge into an open courtyard and there sits the pub,there did seem to be another way to the pub down an alleyway in a second courtyard area at the front of building,but I didn't investigate further,time for beer. The interior is just as intriguing as the journey finding it ,several entrances to various nooks ,crannies and bars.All authentically Olde worldy inside taking as warned in the previous review not to knock yourself senseless on the low overhead oak beams.A sign in the courtyard informs us there are always 11 cask ales available,I didn't find all off these but there where five or six visible in the front bar some of which were exclusive Turf ales , I took these to be renamed Greene King concoctions ,so steered clear,I settled for a pint of Thwaites Wainwright which was ok but not great. It wasn't to overcrowded despite being about 12.30 Friday lunchtime.Not so sure about the beer but as has been intimated before, a pub you must see.
On 11th August 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1879 recommendations about 1852 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Turf Tavern
This is a very busy pub with 2 outside areas, one for smokers and one for non smokers. It is a pub we always visit but have had varying experiences with ale quality, but they do have a decent choice. The cloudy beer we were served was immediately replaced with another and an apology. It is difficult to get seating inside or outside, but is always on the list of pubs to visit. Would like to come in and eat here when not busy. It is in the 2011 Good Beer Guide and holds beer festivals.
On 10th May 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about Turf Tavern
Make sure you have a good map with you to find this pub but as others have said, its well worth it. Been here in the winter months and is fantastic setting in subdued lighting. The outside toilet block means you get a blast of fresh air between pints! Certainly one of the best pus in Oxford for the selection of ales.
On 13th August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about Turf Tavern
Buger to find but worth it , 10 ales on , Summer ale very nice , small beer garden and multiroomed pub , very studenty and touristy can get very busy . Worth popping in for a pint or two
On 14th March 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Nigel Sheppard left this review about Turf Tavern
Serving around 10 real ales with friendly staff this is the best pub in Oxford for both quality and selection of beers. A real old world pub dating back to circa 1600 with lots of unspoilt features. It does get very busy with students and can be a bit noisy as they do get a bit excitable, but hey, small price to pay for such good beer.
On 7th September 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 192 recommendations about 192 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ferne Arfin left this review about Turf Tavern
The Turf Tavern could be the hardest pub in Oxford to find but people in search of an authentic and traditional English pub experience manage to keep it buzzing. Visit any day of the week and you'll find it full of university students, academics, local families and visitors from all over the world in search of Inspector Morse's favorite boozer. Despite being a managed pub, the owners - Greene King have maintained the character of a freehouse, offering a wide range of real ales and beers. Eleven different guest ales are kept on tap, with the selection changing daily. Wine is available by the glass and bottle and champagne by the bottle.
On 8th July 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about Turf Tavern
Good 2 bar pub down a side alley.One of the best selections of real ales in Oxford.Good selection of food.Gets packed.
On 31st May 2007
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tim Morten left this review about Turf Tavern
One of the finest real ale pubs in existence. A medieval building hidden down a series of winding alleyways in the center of Oxford. Many fine ales, pleasant outside seating, traditional interior. Frequented by Bill Clinton in his youth. An absolute
On 5th August 2004
- rating: 10
[User has posted 12 recommendations about 12 pubs]