As the weather gets warmer, combine a circular walk in Oxford with a visit to pubs with outdoor spaces.
Walkers can take a stroll in Oxford which starts and finishes at one of the city’s oldest pubs.
The Perch in Binsey Lane is one of the city’s oldest hostelries and is just a few minutes walk from the Isis - Oxford’s stretch of the Thames - and Port Meadow, a historic common stretching from Jericho to Wolvercote.
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In the summer, its garden is a relaxing place to spend a few hours, and its 17th century building with its traditional thatched roof should charm even the most seasoned pub goers.
In spring 2015, the owners conducted a full-scale renovation to bring the traditional pub into the modern world.
Staff say it provides a refuge for everyone who enjoys good food and drink - whether they’re thirsty students, hungry walkers, families with muddy dogs, adventurous visitors or wedding parties.
You can park in the pub car park after booking a table for a meal and devise your own circular walking route from there, depending on how far you want to go.
The pub is a freehouse and its website says: “The Perch is one of Oxford’s oldest pubs. We’re just a few minutes walk from the Isis (Oxford’s stretch of the Thames) and Port Meadow, a historic common stretching from Jericho to Wolvercote.
“In the summer, our garden is the envy of the whole city, and our 17th century plaster-rubble building with its traditional thatched roof will charm even the most seasoned pub goers.
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“There’s been a pub on our site for at least 800 years. In those 800 years, we’ve been a favourite of some of Britain’s best poets and authors, a frequent haunt of Inspector Morse, and even an influential venue on the British Jazz scene.”
Open space Port Meadow is just a short walk away, and if you want to combine your lunch with a short shopping trip, you could walk across the meadow and then approach Jericho via Walton Well Road.
Once you are in Walton Street you will find a number of independent shops, and delis selling fresh produce.
These include Branca deli and cafe, Riverman Records, The Last Bookshop Jericho, and Walton Street Cycles.
If you have time you could also visit one of Jericho’s pubs for a beer.
These include The Jericho Tavern, The Gardeners Arms, The Old Bookbinders Ale House, Jude The Obscure and The Victoria.
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You could also try the Harcourt Arms in Cranham Terrace, which has tables outside.
Landlord Ian Stuart said last year the pub’s courtyard garden has been busy.
He said last summer: “It's been very busy, even on rainy nights when people drink under our umbrellas.”
Once you have had a beer in Jericho, make your way back along Walton Well Road, across Port Meadow, and return to your starting point at The Perch.
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