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Perched right on the banks of the River Isis, this former boatyard is now a bright and breezy gastropub with rooms.
One of the city’s more affordable options, chic bedrooms pay homage to Oxford’s academic heritage, with framed Penguin classics, book-lined wallpaper prints and smart, contemporary furniture.
The heart of the action is the huge old yard itself, brightened with blue tables, an outdoor bar, and enough patio heaters to make it comfortable to drink or eat outside well into the autumn months. Dive into the extensive gin selection and settle back with a plate of local charcuterie to watch the world glide by.
Oxford’s colleges, galleries and shops are all an easy ten-minute walk away.
Set overlooking the River Isis, by day the water can be busy with boats and punts (there are boat moorings beside the pub). On summer evenings it can be quite noisy, but at other times of the year it’s a tranquil place to be at night.
A hotch-potch of historic houses and residential flats surround the pub on both sides of the river, while Christchurch Meadow is just outside the door – a tranquil green space steeped in history.
On the other side of the Folly Bridge, there are punts to hire and river cruises that offer a gentle couple of hours gliding along the Isis.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]
Oxford’s extraordinarily beautiful colleges have housed everyone from prime ministers to presidents, and pair centuries of British history with spectacular architecture.
Best for ages: 13+ | £3
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[1 miles]
A world-class collection of art and architecture in the heart of Oxford that ranges across 3,000 years of history, with Egyptian rooms to rival those of the British Museum.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[1.3 miles]
An extraordinary array of 7 million exhibits from the natural world, including the world-famous ‘skeleton parade’, housed in one of the country’s finest Victorian Gothic buildings.
Best for ages: 6+ | Free
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[2.5 miles]
Glide along the Cherwell in a traditional punt, and take in the spectacular architecture of Oxford’s iconic colleges from the tranquillity of the river.
Best for ages: 6+ | £16 | 1+ hours
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
One of the country’s leading galleries for cutting edge, avant-garde art, there is a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions, alongside film and music events.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]
First opened as a food market in 1774, the Covered Market is now home to fifty different stallholders, selling everything from vintage clothes, jewellery and flowers to specialist foodie treats.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]
A 13th-century church which was the first university building. Climb the spire for wonderful views over the Oxford Colleges and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside.
Best for ages: 6+ | £5
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]
Founded in 1621 and one of the oldest Botanic Gardens in the world, this is a horticulturalist’s dream, with over 5,000 different species of rare and endangered plants.
Best for ages: 4+ | £6
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (UK)
One of Britain’s most beautiful and historic cities, graced by heartstopping architecture and home to the world’s second-oldest university.
