West Oxford Pubs

Heading westwards out of Oxford along Botley Road, a few years ago there was very little in the way of pub choice, passing several that had long-since closed their doors (the Osney Arms - now a B&B, The George - now a hi-fi outlet, The Carpenters Arms - now MacDonald's).  But the re-opening of the Holly Bush and the chance to drink in the Tap Social brewery now make a trip out west well worthwhile...

The Fishes 

North Hinksey Village OX2 0NA - web
Greene King
🍴 (Food - service times vary) 🔆 Extensive garden

Not trying to show off that the garden's big or anything,
but they've got a golf buggy for glass collecting!

Situated in one and a half acres of land, this large red-brick Victorian building has a wonderful garden including boules court and giant tee-pee as it stretches down to Hinskey Stream at the bottom.  
The front bar has smart tub chairs and small tables, whilst beyond it's smartly laid out for diners.  But it's that garden in the summer months that proves an attraction for all.  
Four hand pumps dispense GK offerings plus a guest (Loose Cannon on our last visit).
There is a route through by footpath from the end of Ferry Hinksey Road and subsequent paths across the fields to Abingdon Road.

Summer afternoon in garden of the Fishes, North Hinksey

The Holly Bush 
106 Bridge Street OX2 0BD - web
Charles Wells
🍴 (Food) 🔆 Outdoor seating

Great to see this pub by the bridge to Osney Island back open and thriving on our first Saturday evening visit.   Charles Wells refurbished the Holly Bush as a Pizza Pots & Pints venue (as per the Oxford Blue off Iffley Road) in October 2019.
It has a Large sized open-plan area with a range of tables, high stools and comfy armchairs in which to sit and enjoy hearty, filling food.  Four legged visitors are catered for with a jar of doggy-treats; ale enthusiasts can currently try the ever-changing Charles Wells 'Wandering Brewer' creations; music fans can contemplate that this was where members of Radiohead played their first gig, under the name On a Friday.

Pizza cooking action-shot at the Holly Bush.

The Porterhouse 69 Mill Street OX2 0AL - web
Greene King
🍴 (Food, steak menu) 🔆 Outdoor seating

Previously The Kite, it struggled through the past few years with a number of different landlords.  At one point it made the Guardian top 10 craft beer places in Oxford list in 2015 whilst it was briefly being supplied by XT brewery, but (as with most places on that list) it has changed much now.  It underwent a significant refurbishment in 2017, reopening as a steak house restaurant with guest rooms above. 
Great reviews online for both the food and the B&B.
Sadly though, we've lost a back-street boozer in this area to make way for a gastropub.

The Perch
Binsey Lane, OX2 0NG - web
Free House
🍴 (Food, 12-10, 12-9 on Sundays) 🔆 Extensive garden

A contender for one of the prettiest locations of a pub in Oxford - this is nested among'st the fields and meadows by the River Thames.  It is accessible by a lane from Botley Road, but the best way to reach the pub is to follow the river path - the fairy light lit route through the trees from the Thames Path to the pub is well signposted.  Much of the pub interior has been rebuilt after a fire in 2007 and tables are mainly set for dining.  The appeal here is the lovely garden, with an outdoor bar to take the pressure off the indoor one at busy times.

🍺 Beer Festival   A May bank holiday weekend beer festival, held in the marquee to one side of the garden, seems to have become an annual event.  Predictably very busy on a holiday weekend when the weather is good, beers are sourced locally, plus a good selection of ciders.

The Punter

7 South Street, OX2 0BE - web
Greene King
🍴 (Food, check service hours) 🔆 Outdoor seating

An appealing corner street pub in the terraces of Osney Island, situated straight across the road from the River Thames.  

This was opened in 1871 as 'The Waterman', although it has changed much over the years and recent refurbishment has taken it in a food-orientated direction.  It does still attract people for drinks only though, with Morland ales on cask plus a guest, often XT or a local brewery. 

To the side is a sun-trap garden and it's a lovely place to relax on a summer afternoon when drinkers spill out to the riverside. 

The Tap Social

27 Curtis Industrial Estate, OX2 0LX - web
Tap Social Movement
🕒 Limited opening times - check their Facebook pages
🍴 (Food, street food vendors) 🎸 Live Music 🔆 Outdoor seating

The Tap Social Movement brought brewing back to central Oxford when they set up in this industrial estate next to the ring-road in 2016.  They offer opportunities to those looking to build a vocation after leaving prison, hence the 'criminally good beer' moniker.  The on-site bar has become a quick favourite and draws good crowds to sip great beers and listen to the live music that sets up for most open sessions.  Seating is a mix of discarded furniture and spreads up to a sizeable first floor balcony, plus a few seats out the front where street food and coffee stalls are located.

Tap Social, Oxford