The Clanfield Tavern, Bampton

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Komakino . left this review about The Clanfield Tavern

Formerly The Masons Arms, this is another old Cotswold Stone inn (17th Century apparently), which internally, although open plan has a variety of interconnecting rooms and one wonders what this would have looked like back in the day. Entering from the front entrance, a small, square bar is centre-left, with a squarish stony alcove to your left containing a dart board. There's a tiny, contained room to the right, almost behind the entrance door, which would struggle to seat six. This contains a framed newspaper article about a fox which somehow climbed the pub's roof in escaping the hounds from the local Hunt and fell down the chimney, only to scarper when the locals came to its aid (the Hunt gave up, giving the fox the credit). More seating to the right of this with an old fireplace occupied by a modern burner. Seating beyond / behind the bar and a new, standalone restaurant area in the middle with an airy country kitchen type vibe. Ringwood Razor Back, Marston's Bloody Doors Off (x 2 and chalked onto slates on two pumps) and a fourth unclipped. The Marston offering was £1.90 for a half and in great form. I liked this place as there are so many reminders of the past inside (a former Masons Arms pub sign and a 'Wig Cupboard' - check it out), but the ale range and unnecessary contemporary R&B muzak were major drawbacks from a higher score.

On 2^nd December 2017 - rating: 6
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