FRIARS Entry, which is the alleyway running between Magdalen Street and Gloucester Green, must now become part of Oxford’s history as it hosts two pubs cheek to jowl with each other with literary connections, and maybe likely haunts of future Tolkiens, Dexters and Pullmans.

They are the newly renamed and refurbished White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland (the old Gloucester Arms) and Far From the Madding Crowd, courtesy of Thomas Hardy, which has just been voted for the second time in succession Oxford CAMRA’s city pub of the year.

And the good news is both hostelries are committed to real ale.

JOHN MACKIE
Hendred Street
Cowley
Oxford