The Grouse and Ale, Lane End

One of the few options in the wilderness between Stokenchurch and Marlow, due to the glut of nearby closures over the last few years. Opened-planned, and given to both drinkers and diners, the four-ale offering is welcome, although only one is a local (Rebellion's Roasted Nuts - on very good form). Inobtrusive up-and-down background music playing during my visit, including that Texas/Wu-Tang Clan collaboration curio from the mid-90s.

19 Nov 2015 23:14

The Queens Head, Crowmarsh Gifford

Now free of Thai, albeit still under Fuller's auspices, this is a decent alternative to some of the 'tough to love' options over the bridge in Wallingford, even though a couple of minuses were the egg-chasing-themed Front Row being a bit 'end of barrelly' and the bare-wooded décor being somewhat bland.

11 Oct 2015 09:20

The Royal Oak, Wantage

Wantage outscores similar Oxfordshire market towns (think Abingdon, Bicester and Thame) by virtue of having two superb real ale-focussed pubs, and this probably shades The Shoulder of Mutton in terms of selection, with locals XT XPA and the alliteratively wonderful Maggs’ Magnificent Mild both on excellent form. There’s a cosy ambience to the place and the sound of the bell ringing for last orders at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon harks back to an almost forgotten time.

1 Oct 2015 13:24