Taking the money and running due to lack of time. Feel free to remove me from COTs. Don't know when/...
Taking the money and running due to lack of time. Feel free to remove me from COTs. Don't know when/if I'll be back....All best wishes, tyger.
Member since:03.01.2001
Reviews:36
Members who trust:30
I first met the Turf in 1992 during a summer holiday when I went on a 'Blue Badge' walking tour of Oxford. Unfortunately we did not have time to stop for a pint. However, I did learn that this strangely located pub was once Jude the Obscure's haunt (good for practising Latin and meeting up with ex-wives and so on) and that it was originally a cider house. As the other great discovery of this holiday was cider (I'm from the US by birth and this was my first trip to the UK), it was essential that I come back later.
But how to find it? Here's a chance to impress your friends and relatives if they've not been to Oxford before. The Turf is located in Bath Place and from the west you go through a narrow alleyway (it's called St. Helen's Passage but you'll
need a fairly detailed A-Z to find that out) which you'll find almost underneath the Bridge of Sighs, turn left at the end (you have no choice really!), and then the pub appears. This is its best angle for a first meeting. The front of the building is small, charming, and down right cosy looking. Mind your head and the sunken step as you enter. (Go around the side to the left if this is a problem.) Another way in is via Bath Place itself which is off Holywell Street. Pass the 17th century hotel (unfortunately there's a sign with an arrow to say which way to go these days but if you're quick you might be able to block it off before anyone sees it). And voila - pub! Now you have a choice between a modern side door or the old fashioned front entrance.
Now that you're there what will you find? The Turf is now a Hogshead pub which offers that chain's wide range of ales, beers, bitters, and ciders (more than one!). On my last visit a just over a week ago some of the bitters were off but my partner seemed happy with a 'mystery bitter' supplied by a cheerful member of bar staff. Each of the entrances is served by a bar but if it's slow the 'back bar' may be closed for service. Not to worry the front bar is always open! As a part of the Hogshead group, the Turf participates in their beer and cider festivals and offers quite reasonable prices. (Our round of one bitter and one cider came to £4.05.)
The Turf is charm itself once inside. There are several rooms with dark wood furnishings and beamed ceilings. There are table sizes to accommodate groups from couples to room fillers and if there isn't enough room inside you can take a position in the covered courtyard out the back. Here you'll be surrounded by the old college walls of New College as well as some of the old city wall and as a bonus you'll hear the college's bells. The courtyard is open all year. In summer it is a great place to take your pub grub and in winter you can enjoy mulled wine or cider next to a brazier. (At least I assume you can still do that - Hogshead would be insane not to offer it!)
I have to admit I haven't had a meal at the Turf since it changed to being a Hogshead. (This is for no particular reason.) I did have a look the menu and it seemed standard with cheap and cheerful potatoes, vegetarian lasagne, and snack - with prices ranging from less than £5.00. Food is served at the back of the pub from a separate counter and it is also eaten there or in the courtyard.
Another quirky thing about the Turf is that the loos are in a separate building. Exit from any of the doors on the south side of the pub and follow the signs.
The Turf is a very nice place to spend an evening if you get there early enough to get a space or an afternoon if you can manage one. In the past, the crowd levels have varied from quite busy in the summer (despite the hidden away location, it is a tourist magnet) to very busy during college terms. My last visit was on an early Sunday evening I was lucky to have the place almost to myself except for some students trying to make their beer money from the quiz machine and some other students having a very boring and pretentious conversation which was meant to be overheard. My advice is ignore that sort of thing, enjoy your drink, soak up the atmosphere and ponder about what real intellectuals might have visited in the past. Edmond Halley's house is just around the corner, after all.
used to walk through the turf every morning on my way to lectures. ok, some mornings when i was up anyway. but the only time we drank in there was when post exam tradition dictated we must... m Xx
buzios 16.05.2003 10:04
Many years ago I worked in Oxford and actually lived in the Turf Tavern (it used to have rooms to let - I don't know if it still does) for about six months. Also, in all the years I lived in Oxford favourtite pub by far - a fabulous place. However, it could get a bit overcrowded at times and was often frequented by hooray Henrys but when not so busy it was a delightful place. Haven't been there for many years now but I hope it hasn't changed much.
Reynarda 14.02.2003 22:56
Ah, one of my favourites and such a great review! Zed
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May 2nd, 2001
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