The Spread Eagle, Abingdon
Traditional pub values combined with excellent, good value food all day make ‘The Spread’ a must for locals and visitors alike. The extensive menu offers good value and includes Black Rock ‘cook-at-table’ dishes.
This concept offers fun for all the family. The dishes are brought to the table with a Black Rock hot volcanic rock slab for you to cook your meats – which include exotic choices like ostrich, wildebeest and kangaroo - to your own taste, rare, medium or well-done.
With it, you get either stir-fried onions and mushrooms, vegetables or salad, with your choice of potato and sauces to dip. The Safari Rock for two sounds fab fun – four pieces of four different varieties of succulent meat, accompanied by fresh pineapple and tomato for £32.50.
The unique Black Rock Grill method of dining uses super-heated rock that sears in all the natural juices, flavours and nutrients. All our produce is trimmed of fat and no oils are used in the cooking process. This guarantees a taste that is unique to Black Rock Grill dining.
For the perfect Black Rock Grill experience, simply cut one or two bite-size portions off your chosen meat and lay them on the rock to sear and cook to your liking. We want you to enjoy your meal so please don’t touch the rock, it is very hot, and ensure that poultry is cooked right the way through.
Nic and Tina Crawford bought the Spread Eagle in 2007, and it already had a good reputation as a traditional local pub. They strive to maintain the character of ‘The Spread’ and to enhance its reputation. In addition they have transformed the menu, offering over 100 dishes all day until 8pm. You will always find room for a quiet drink, or you can join the buzz of the bar area. At all times you will find a warm welcome.
Food served all day, every day, last orders 8pm
Directions: The Spread Eagle is on Northcourt Road, which runs between the Oxford Road and Wootton Road in North Abingdon. It is aboyt 200m from the Oxford Road.
You will find Northcourt Road on the Oxford road opposite another pub, The Boundary House. Also here are the bus stops for the fast bus links to Oxford (X3 and X4 every ten minutes, about ten minutes from the city centre - just ask for ‘Boundary House’) and Abingdon United football club. If you walk up the Oxford Road from the town centre, it will take about 20 minutes to reach The Spread Eagle.
The Spread Eagle, Northcourt Road, Abingdon OX14 1PL Tel: 01235 521594
bookings@spreadeagle.org.uk
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge
The mighty River Thames has its source in the Cotswolds, slowly meandering its way to London through some of the most beautiful countryside in England. One of the prettiest is Tadpole Bridge, a River Thames crossing point near the West Oxfordshire village of Bampton.
And here you will find The Trout Inn – an historic hostelry located right beside the Thames Path. A free house with six bedrooms, the lovely licensed premises of Gareth and Helen Pugh is a destination in its own right, with riverside walks and its own berthing for up to six boats.
The moorings are greatly sought after in the summer, but can be reserved in advance if boaters make a lunch or dinner reservation.
There is also fishing for barbel, chubb, roach, bream and pike – and locals also catch that local speciality the crayfish for the Pughs to serve up in delicious pub meals.
Careful use of the best local ingredients has won The Trout a clutch of highly-rated awards, and the food is definitely of the highest order.
With fish delivered fresh from Coverack in Cornwall, fish and seafood is a speciality. Crab, sole, skate, halibut, mussels and oysters feature regularly.
The Trout’s meat is sourced locally with bacon and sausages from Kelmscott, free range chicken and guinea fowl from Fairford, 28-day hung ribeye, sirloin and lamb from Castle Butchers, Burford, corn-fed chicken, Gressingham duck and Dutch calves liver from Hedges Butchers, Abingdon, and game from local shoots. Buscot Park at Faringon is the source of fresh fruit and vegetables.
As well as the regular menu, there is a good range of daily specials offering dishes based on what is good and fresh that day.
The garden is a delight, alongside the river, and the ideal place to enjoy a well-kept pint, a glass of chilled wine and a pub lunch.
Directions: The Trout Inn is located at Tadpole Bridge between the villages of Buckland and Bampton.
The Trout at Tadpole Bridge, Buckland Marsh, Faringdon SN7 8RF
Directions: The Trout Inn is located at Tadpole Bridge between the villages of Buckland and Bampton.
Coming from Oxford along the A420 to Swindon, turn right signposted Tadpole Bridge, Buckland and Bampton. Coming from Witney turn left in Bampton market square and follow the road to Buckland – you will come to Tadpole Bridge after about two miles
Call 01367 870382
Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-3pm, 6pm-11pm
Sun noon-4.30pm, 6.30-10.30pm
Open all day on weekends until end of September
This beautifully cosy canalside pub scores on all fronts, with fabulous food, a relaxing and friendly atmosphere, warm welcome from chef patrons Rene Klein and Ali Saul, a beautiful outside dining patio, and an idyllic location next to the canal.
There are also four lovely bedrooms for those who would like to stay over and enjoy more of the Cotswolds ‘ many attractions.
The pub has a double-sided fireplace, which provides a warm welcome in the winter. The walls are adorned with historical photos and memorabilia, so there is plenty to look at while you tuck into one of Rene’s tasty meals.
The daily changing menu features classics like steak and ale pile, as well as more modern dishes such as grilled tiger prawns or confit of duck with sweet potato mash. The kitchen remains open all day with an afternoon menu featuring sandwiches and popular pub meals like scampi and chips.
Ali is proud of her range of Hook Norton ales and reasonably priced premium wines from around the globe.
There is a real family feel to the pub, and visitors can play skittles, pool or petanque, or even a board game. Dog walkers are assured of a warm welcome here too.
Directions: The Great Western Arms is nestled between Oxford Canal and the Great Western Railway at Aynho. At Woodstock, follow the signs to the A4260 and drive towards Banbury. At Deddington turn right onto the B4031 and you will come to the pub, next to the canal bridge, within a few miles.
Directions: The Great Western Arms is nestled between Oxford Canal and the Great Western Railway at Aynho. At Woodstock, follow the signs to the A4260 and drive towards Banbury. At Deddington turn right onto the B4031 and you will come to the pub, next to the canal bridge, within a few miles.
The Great Western Arms, Aynho, near Banbury OX17 3BP
Call: 01869 338288
Open seven days a week 11am to 11pm
