The Turf Tavern

lhaqq

California

4.4/5  rDev +2.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Went here a lot when I lived in Oxford. Getting there in itself adds to the atmosphere. Near the Radcliffe Camera there is really small alleyway with a little arrowed sign next to it pointing to "The Turf." If you follow the alleyway back, you're led into a pretty small cozy pub. There are a fair amount of wooden tables outside, surrounded by bricks, cobblestones, and some vines. Inside is pretty small (can stretch and almost touch the ceiling) and made of old dark wood. The beer and food are good. I think I had their caesar salad once, which was good, but I usually just went for the beer.

01-18-2009 01:18:36 | More by lhaqq

rbastone

New York

3.76/5  rDev -12.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | $$

Visited the Turf while on a business trip this week. The place is classic - a real must-see if in the Oxford area. Hard to find 'Bath Place' - but keep your eyes open on Catte Street for a 'Bridge of Sighs' archway over a dark alleyway and you will find it (or just follow the 20-somethings that flow pretty steadily in and out).

Beer selection is local cask (Green King, etc.) and a few odd-lot bottles (ciders, macros). The staff was very friendly and the patrons were as well.

Word of warning: if you are over 5'6" tall - dont forget to duck when you walk inside the pub. Note also: great outdoor seating area with heaters.

Cheers!

03-11-2011 13:27:34 | More by rbastone

alfrantzell

California

4.43/5  rDev +3.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

To find the Turf Tavern, start at the High Street and take a right at the nook, a left at the cranny, and go straight through the crevasse. There are some street names involved, but they're inconsequential.

The ceiling is low and interferes with foreheads. I would have been annoyed had I not been preoccupied with Ruddle's Best, Slater's Premium, Becforth's Bitter, Slater Why Knot, Holey Moley, and Old Rosie's Scrumpy. Decent grub too - I sessioned a steak and kidney pie one night and a winter ploughman's lunch the next.

The pub has signs about its colorful history, which dates back to the 13th century. One such reads: "Bill Clinton while at University here in Oxford in the sixties, 'did not inhale' whilst smoking an illegal substance. What he does with cigars in his own home is his business."

Oxford is so educational.

05-30-2010 19:11:08 | More by alfrantzell

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.63/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

The Turf is my favorite pub in the Oxford area, which is saying a lot since there are a number of good ones. I visited quite frequently while studying in Oxford for a summer. It's located down an alley that starts just beneath the Bridge of Sighs. If you can't find it ask a local.

The atmosphere is great with a low ceiling, a great beer garden, which is big by English pub standards, and plenty of seating. The age and history of this place is pretty cool too (see the walls in the back of the garden for details). It tends to get crowded with tourists at high times.

The food is fair. I've had the fish and chips, which seems to compare favorably to that of other pubs in the area. The Turf has one of the best selections of cask ale in the area in terms of selection and they do a nice job of bringing in different beers and keeping it varied. Make sure to check both the front and back bars as they sometimes have different beers on. It also has a nice selection of authentic cider and perry. The service is good and the ales are well-kept.

A must visit for those in the area. In fact, it'd be a crime NOT to visit if you are ever in Oxford.

12-29-2009 22:57:09 | More by bump8628

tunreeb

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +5.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $$

The Turf Tavern is hard to find but worth the adventure to get there. The entrance is not on a street, it is located in a very narrow gangway (between two buildings that are very close together). We were taken there by friends who live in Oxford; I don't think we would have found it on our own. Our friends told us that you know a pub is legit when you need to "mind your head" when you walk through the doorway. The pub is very small and inviting, it gives you a sense of old time England. In fact the pub is so small that the rest rooms are in a building across from it.

Consumed several pints of their Summer Ale, served at the traditional English temperature - as cool as the cellar is on that particular day, which makes for a very flavourful brew.

When in Oxford, be sure to stop in for a pint or three.

08-18-2009 20:32:57 | More by tunreeb

oldrampratt

Tennessee

4.63/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $

I thought I would check out the reviews of a few of the Pubs, and Bars I've visited on my journey though this planet. I lived outside of Oxford way back in the mid 80's,This was a main stopping point on the many pub crawls I barely remember. The place doesn't look like it has changed much in the last two decades. Great place for a good British pint. Be it a good ale or stout.The food wasn't bad either. I hope to visit the Turf again.If you are tall you will have to duck your head when going into the pub, the ceiling is short. The Turf is a definate stop if you are in the town centre of Oxford.

12-22-2007 05:07:33 | More by oldrampratt

tronester

Oklahoma

4.83/5  rDev +12.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I visited the Turf when in the UK with some friends in March of this year. We were in Oxford for a few days, and every afternoon we would stop by for a pint.

If you enjoy cask ale, this is one of the best places in Oxford to visit. They had 8 handpumps dispensing real ale. Each pint I tried was fresh and flavorful. They also had a few other kegged beers and ciders.

The food is also good, and reasonably priced. The pub has a very traditional feel to it, and it should as it's been around for centuries. One thing to remember though if you are tall is to watch your head, as the ceilings are quite low! Overall, I must say if you are in Oxford, this is one place you have to stop by.

11-18-2007 23:43:29 | More by tronester

harpus

Alabama

3.86/5  rDev -9.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

I was taking the tour of Oxford University and the tour guide pointed out where the bar was. This place is back in an ally. The people working at the bar were helpfull when I asked them about the beers and what to try. I tried the Turf's Summer Ale because it was the onlyone for them and half pint of the Scrumpy. The summer ale was not bad. The Scrumpy that was served is proper Scrumpy from what I have heard. This was my first Scrumpy, and I enjoyed it. It was slightly cloudy and uncarbonated. If in the area it is worth a stop.

04-10-2007 20:18:37 | More by harpus

Stephen63

United Kingdom (Scotland)

4.22/5  rDev -1.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Really good pub in Oxford that is not easy to find. This accounts for much of its charm I think. Well worth seeking out.

The Turf is one of those pubs that works with a mixed clientele i.e. regulars and visitors. Great cask selection that constantly changes so you'll probably not find that same beers on your next visit.

The bar is small and so don't expect to get a seat, decent enough seating area outside though if the weather allows. Certainly one of the top bars in Oxford and a must visit when you are there.

02-12-2007 14:50:50 | More by Stephen63

ridedammit

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -5.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

A and I were hiking and travelling around southern England and found this pub after researching local pubs at a book store in Oxford. After reading that Tolkien frequented this pub I was sold. As others have stated you have to walk down several small alleys to find the place which is part of its charm.

When we visited there were 8 cask offerings, some from the guest brewery White Horse. There are several rooms to choose from and an outdoor beer garden to during the warmer months, although many were outside in December huddled near some coal burning fires. The feel of the place and the quality of the casks make this place one of the better English pubs that I visited. Unfortunately for us smoking was still allowed, apparently next year (2007) smoking will be disallowed and you may be able to taste your beer :)

12-14-2006 00:59:20 | More by ridedammit