- The Turf Tavern
- Bath Place, Oxford OX1 3SU
- Tel: (011) 44 (0)1865 243 235
- Website
- Open Mon. - Sat. 11a.m. to 11p.m., Sun. 12p.m. to 10:30p.m.
- Lunch Mon. - Sun. noon to 7:30p.m.
- PricesModerate
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.
Worth the Search
Turn down New College Lane, across from the Bodleian Library. Pass under Oxford's much photographed Bridge of Sighs and turn left into St. Helen's Passage, an alley so narrow you may not be able to spread both your arms. It used to be called Hell Passage. In Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited Charles says, "The Turf in Hell Passage knew us well."
The passage widens and narrows as it turns corners. About 150 yards along -- just as you think you are lost -- the tiny, 17th century Turf Tavern comes into view. Go straight ahead through a tiny, green door or follow meandering passages to the right and left into beer gardens. The Turf isn't Oxford's oldest pub but parts of its foundations date from the 13th century. Inside, as with the best traditional English pubs, it is a warren of small, oddly shaped rooms, connected by narrow passages, small staircases and two small, busy bars.
To Drink:
Orange juice, soft drinks and coffee are dispensed with as much good cheer as alcoholic beverages.
To Eat:
Main courses range from traditional English pub dishes like cumberland sausages and mash, beef and ale pie, and fish and chips, to more ambitious choices like salmon with wine and lobster sauce or red Thai prawn curry. There is also a selection of sandwiches, main course salads, pasta and stuffed baked potatoes. Desserts are traditional and solidy English -- sticky toffee pudding, rhubarb crumble, apple tart with custard.
Cost:
A pint of ale costs between £3.50 and £4.75. Wines by the glass cost between £2.50 and £3.60 for 175ml. Or £3.50 to £4.95 for 250ml. Bottles are £9.95 to £14.45, with champagne -- popular with students celebrating end of term -- at £35.95. Main courses are priced from £5.65 to £7.35, sandwiches cost about £4 and baked potatoes are from £3.35.Special Feature:
Insider Tip:
Don't miss the mulled red wine, at £3.30 a glass. It's a pub speciality in the winter.
The Verdict
It's a rare pub, nowadays, that manages to be crowded with locals yet cheerful and friendly to strangers at the same time. Take the trouble to find this wonderful, atmospheric pub.
