Claiming to be one of Oxford’s smallest and oldest pubs, The White Horse is a popular local old-world pub, which plays no music and contains no game machines or TV screens. Ironically though it has been the set for television series Inspector Morse and more recently as a set in the film The Oxford Murders, starring Elijah Wood and John Hurt.
Despite its fame, The White Horse is a humble looking establishment and given the small size, it’s not always easy to get a seat. Descending a few steps from Broad Street puts you immediately at the end of the bar where you can choose from a healthy selection of wine and beer, including local brews such as Wayland Smithy White Horse 4.4% and Brakspear Oxford Gold 4.0%. The White Horse also has a decent food menu and asserts to be famous for its fish and chips. We didn’t have the opportunity to verify if they’re deservedly "famous" but the plates we did see coming out looked both appetizing and generous in size.
There was a mixture of university students and older regular patrons when we arrived around 6pm on a Saturday evening and over the course of the evening The White Horse was continually busy. With only one wide window at the very front and wooden clad walls and low ceiling, The White Horse is a dark, intimate pub and I imagine a wonderful retreat on a cold winter day. However there is a lone table outside on the street and a large seating area under the window for anyone not wanting to miss out on the summer sun.
It’s possible to read about the pub’s interesting history on the boards outside. The building dates back to 16th Century but the facade was re-built in 1951 when a hidden painted wall and a witch’s broomstick were uncovered upstairs. A Grade II listed building, it is now owned by Exeter College and has been run under the name of The White Horse since the late 1830s, having been previously listed as the Mermaid, the Jolly Volunteer and the Elephant.The White Horse is open every day from 11am and serves food until 9pm, including traditional roast dinners on Sundays. You can learn more about Broad Street from the website: www.headington.org.uk/oxon/broad/buildings/index.htm which gives a wonderful insight into the history of The White Horse and some of its illustrious neighbours, including the imposing Sheldonian Theatre over the road.
www.whitehorseoxford.co.uk
Tel: 01865 728318