Ghoul Lash (From Oxford Mail)

Ghoul Lash

6:00pm Thursday 27th October 2011 in Restaurant Reviews By Nigel Webb

Lover of all things that go ‘bump’ in the night, NIGEL WEBB reviews the deliciously novel combi of spices and scares at Oxford Castle.

Oxford After Dark is a guided tour of Oxford Castle and its old prison (part of which is now home to the Malmaison Hotel).

The tour is an eerie introduction to the darker side of Oxford’s colourful history, which doesn’t always find its way into the tourist’s guidebook.

And during the Halloween period, which extends throughout November, Oxford Unlocked is hosting these tours in the early evening as part of its spooky celebrations, together with dinner at the Living Room.

Wannabe ghost-hunters are, at the start of the tour, greeted by a guide dressed as a flesh-wouldn’t-melt-in-his-mouth monk who cheerfully – and with a nod to Tolkien’s Gollum – maintains this persona throughout the evening.

During the tour, which lasts about 45 minutes, you’ll find yourself taken to the top of the castle tower via 101 stairs (count them if you like) and down deep into the crypt and parts of the remaining prison cells.

Along the way, the sinisterly creepy guide conveys the building’s history and that of its unfortunate occupants in an entertaining rather than educational way (think TV’s Horrible Histories).

Now, as someone who has an interest in dark history, I rather enjoyed this whole experience and in particular, our visit to the dark and decidedly aged 900-year-old crypt.

Indeed, my only criticism of the tour was that the size of the group made it difficult for the guide to keep everyone together (they were a boisterous lot) and consequently it was difficult to hear everything that was said – you know, those heart-warming anecdotes about decapitations and the like.

On several occasions, lack of lighting also made it difficult to read many of the exhibits displayed – after all, there’s atmospheric lighting and then there’s darkness....

However, the meal at the Living Room afterwards proved to be a real crowd pleaser.

Everyone made everyone else feel genuinely welcome (from the off in fact) and the service was efficient, smart and very personable (no more than a crisp 10 minutes between all three courses).

My starter was a very generous chicken liver parfait with a redcurrant and port jelly, which was followed by an equally well-portioned coq au vin with parsley-buttered potatoes.

Both were delicious.

And to round that lot off I downed a rum and raisin creme brulée. Perfect.

All in all, it proved a thoroughly enjoyable evening (thanks to our terrific waitress Harriet).

The food was good, the ambience excellent and, as a package, very, very reasonably priced.

A good novelty evening out, perfect for getting you in the festive party spirit.

* Date: Every Thursday throughout October and November Time: 6pm, 6.30pm & 7pm Where: Oxford Castle Unlocked Cost: £29.95 for tour and three-course set menu dinner at The Living Room. Booking: 0845 060 7255