I was on a similar excurion back in 2022 when we called into two of the inns on today's itinerary, but it was the pubs that were brand new to me this time around that I was most looking forward to.
Here's the route...
First stop: 11:57, Yarnton.
The young lady opening up took a glance out the window expecting the usual tranquil scene of village life only to spot 16 eager punters waiting for the door to be unlocked.
The young lady opening up took a glance out the window expecting the usual tranquil scene of village life only to spot 16 eager punters waiting for the door to be unlocked.
I visited this pub when it was first taken over by local chain Oak Taverns early in 2024. Prior to that it had struggled for several years before being put up for sale by Admiral.
There has been a pub close to this site in Yarnton for several hundred years, the original demolished in 1957 when the current Red Lion was constructed.
It's open plan within: seats in the bay windows in the front, a freshly lit wood burner at one side, back doors in the rear section overlooking a lovely - but very wet - back garden.
Tempting as those ciders may have been, the ABVs were very hard to see on the labels, so I stuck safe with the Bicester-brewed 'Trunk IPA'. Not an IPA in my book of beer definitions...more a modern best bitter, but very drinkable and on top form.
Rounding up the group, we clambered back aboard the bus for the next leg of our journey.
🚍7 miles, Yanton - Stanton Harcourt
Journey time extended by the usual slow crawl of traffic on the A40.
My first impressions weren't particularly positive - we were definitely in the territory of rural Oxford gastro-pub with rooms. It doesn't even look especially pub-like from outside.
Or on first glance to the right through the front door...
Cask ales included two from Norfolk's Woodford Brewery which don't make it this way very often: 'Nelson's Revenge' or 'Wherry'. A dark and delicious Nelson's for me, priced at £5.20.
Taken straight to the prime sofa spot next to the wood burner.
🚍3.1 miles, Stanton Harcourt - Northmoor
Journey time extended by our driver Tony stopping in the middle of a country lane to buy homemade marmalade from a random table at the end of a cottage driveway.
We called into the Red Lion at Northmoor, somewhere I've visited a fair few times previously.
Cask ales available were from Loose Cannon, Hook Norton or Cotswold Lion on this occasion - the wonderful 'Greedy Goose' for me as I accept the season for winter beer is truly upon us.
The Red Lion was the busiest I've seen it - warm and welcoming in the bad weather, doing a roaring trade with a good mix of diners and drinkers.
The next pub was a revisit that I was thoroughly looking forward to.
Not least due to the possibility of 'grooming', which I would benefit from every now and again.
The next pub was a revisit that I was thoroughly looking forward to.
Not least due to the possibility of 'grooming', which I would benefit from every now and again.
🚍7.5 miles, Northmoor - Bampton
This early 18th century High Street pub used to the New Inn before taking on the unusual Morris Clown moniker in 1973. Previously part of the Greene King estate it is now independtly owned and a quite fantastic no-nonsense wet-led boozer.
A great beer in a comfy, proper pub - best of the day, no contest - even the rugby couldn't dent my enthusiasm.
it was little more than a 5-minute hop to the next village where two pubs awaited.
🚍2.2 miles, Bampton - Clanfield
Uh-oh...we're back in gastro terriitory - no.4 on a recent Times Best Hotel Restaurants no-less (the Ritz is sitting next to it at #3 for crying out loud). Will they even let me in with my unruly beard, cargo pants and Dropkick Murphy's t-shirt?
Double Red Duke (Bourton Road, Clanfield, OX18 2RB)
This is a 17th century country house which later became an inn, run by Wadworth's Brewery for many years. It's a rabbit warren of a place, with a host of vastly different rooms, sofas in small snugs, a cocktail bar counter, dining tables next to fancy wine fridges. We settled on the tables in the main bar towards the rear of the building.
Great selection of cask ales on the bar, including Uley 'Pale Ale' or 'Pig's Ear' and Ramsbury 'Deer Stalker'. Great service from a chatty and knowledgeable fella at the bar who obviously cared about the beers.
No need to get back on the bus this time with just a short dash across the road in the rain required for the next location.
🏃 83 yards, Double Red Duke - Mason's Arms
Another great day out on the bus visitng a wide selection of pubs and taking me to a couple of new places.
Much appreciation goes out again to Tony for driving us through the rain.
Maybe one day I'll be sensible and realise I really don't need to call into the Lamb & Flag when we get dropped on St Giles...but not this time, of course.
🚍2.2 miles, Bampton - Clanfield
Uh-oh...we're back in gastro terriitory - no.4 on a recent Times Best Hotel Restaurants no-less (the Ritz is sitting next to it at #3 for crying out loud). Will they even let me in with my unruly beard, cargo pants and Dropkick Murphy's t-shirt?
This is a 17th century country house which later became an inn, run by Wadworth's Brewery for many years. It's a rabbit warren of a place, with a host of vastly different rooms, sofas in small snugs, a cocktail bar counter, dining tables next to fancy wine fridges. We settled on the tables in the main bar towards the rear of the building.
It's not often I see Cotswold brewery Uley, so I was chuffed to grab a pint of their crisp bitter 'Pigs Ear'. It was good - as it should be for the hefty £6.40 tarriff.
The Double Red Duke scores additional PropUptheBar points for their bespoke beermats.
And for the mysterious concoctions behind the bar.
And for the mysterious concoctions behind the bar.
But gets those points instantly deducted for having a cigar menu.
How much?!!!!
No need to get back on the bus this time with just a short dash across the road in the rain required for the next location.
🏃 83 yards, Double Red Duke - Mason's Arms
Mason's Arms (Bampton Road, Clanfield, OX18 2RG)
This was formerly the Clanfield Tavern (we're on a roll with pub name changes). It was taken over by the same folks who run the Red Duke, the pre-1970 name was reclaimed, the interior refurbished and the pub reopened in October 2024.
It was pleasantly dark and moody when we stepped through the front door, so much so that the eyes needed adjust to make out the Uley pump clips tucked away in the corner of the bar.
The stone walls are thick, the ceiling beams low, the wood fire burning. It had a bit more of a boozy feel about it (or was that just because of our presence...) but beware - it's still smart and features on dozens of foodie websites.
This was formerly the Clanfield Tavern (we're on a roll with pub name changes). It was taken over by the same folks who run the Red Duke, the pre-1970 name was reclaimed, the interior refurbished and the pub reopened in October 2024.
It was pleasantly dark and moody when we stepped through the front door, so much so that the eyes needed adjust to make out the Uley pump clips tucked away in the corner of the bar.
The stone walls are thick, the ceiling beams low, the wood fire burning. It had a bit more of a boozy feel about it (or was that just because of our presence...) but beware - it's still smart and features on dozens of foodie websites.
I went with the Uley 'Old Spot on this occasion - another cracking pint, although with it being a second 5% ABV beer in a row I was beginning to flag a bit.
We hopped back aboard the bus and made our journey down the dark lanes toward Oxford, with a pitstop at the Bruning and Price (not my preferred choice).
🚍15.2 miles, Clanfield - Besselsleigh
Too wet and dark for an outdoor pub picture.
So I'll close the post with a photo of gentlefolk in the Greyhound.
Where I lurked in a corner sipping a Little Ox 'Hufflepuff' (we did have the brewer on the bus with us, so it seemed fitting to finish the trip with one of his beers).
🚍15.2 miles, Clanfield - Besselsleigh
Too wet and dark for an outdoor pub picture.
So I'll close the post with a photo of gentlefolk in the Greyhound.
Where I lurked in a corner sipping a Little Ox 'Hufflepuff' (we did have the brewer on the bus with us, so it seemed fitting to finish the trip with one of his beers).
Another great day out on the bus visitng a wide selection of pubs and taking me to a couple of new places.
Much appreciation goes out again to Tony for driving us through the rain.
Maybe one day I'll be sensible and realise I really don't need to call into the Lamb & Flag when we get dropped on St Giles...but not this time, of course.
