Where are the best Oxfordshire pubs according to Facebook readers?

The cost of living crisis has led to increased costs for pub landlords and some have decided it is no longer financially viable to stay in the trade.

This has led to a number of recent closures, including the Blacks Head at Bletchingdon, the Red Lion at Yarnton, and the Talbot Inn at Eynsham.

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We asked readers on Facebook to mention their favourite pubs and lots of people took the opportunity.

Here are six of the pubs which got a mention:

The College Oak on the Peachcroft estate in Abingdon

Tracey James said: "Amazing value and top quality food."

Sharon Major added: "Great food and fabulous service."

Eddie Cavanagh, who is originally from Liverpool, runs the College Oak with his wife Carol.

Before that they ran The Bowyer Arms in Radley for 17 years.

Mr Cavanagh said earlier: “I think the College Oak has only been here since the mid-1980s.

"When we arrived it was just a lads’ pub but it’s changed - we do lots of good pub grub.“There’s an extensive menu with kids’ meals, Sunday roasts and pub classics."

“When we arrived it was just a lads’ pub but it’s changed - we do lots of good pub grub."

The Kings Arms, Sandford-on-Thames 

Eli House said the pub served 'great dinners'.

The Kings Arms is situated by the riverside and is a traditional pub restaurant with al fresco dining for those hot summer days.

Retaining traditional features including three old open fireplaces, although only one is in working order. The tables are all decorated with candles, this along with soft background music creates a desirable family dining experience.

Food can be eaten throughout the pub or outside in the garden. Meals can be chosen every day from an extensive main menu with a selection of wines to complement your choice. 

The Turf Tavern in Oxford

Sharon Brown said the Turf Tavern was 'the best pub hands down'.

Experienced pub managers Bev and Paul Vanstone took over running the historic Turf Tavern in January last year.

The couple, who previously ran the Wig & Pen in George Street, and the Magic Midget at Abingdon, said the takeover couldn’t have come at a better time.

The pub off Holywell Street has attracted some celebrity guests over the years,ncluding Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Tony Blair, CS Lewis, Stephen Hawking and Margaret Thatcher.

The Masons Arms in Headington

Chris Meeson and his family have been running the Masons Arms for a quarter of a century.

The pub is a free house - not tied to a brewery - so the family focuses on bringing in as many interesting real ales as possible.

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This becomes a particular focus when the pub stages its annual beer festival.

The White Hart in Headington

The White Hart won last year's Oxford Mail Best Pub 2022 competition.

A shortlist of 10 pubs across Oxfordshire was drawn up and readers were asked to nominate their favourite using a coupon in the paper.

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The friendly community pub in St Andrew’s - a short distance away from neighbouring hostelry The Black Boy - is run by Dan Smaje and his wife Carole.

The James Street Tavern

The pub off Cowley Road serves drinks and food and is open Wednesday – Saturday: 5pm – 10pm and Sundays: 12pm – 5pm.

The pub was given a major refurbishment in 2019.

Its website says: "After a long year of no food we reopened our kitchen with an absolutely glorious casual-dining menu. We give you the option to “Load Up” a multitude of different dishes with tempting toppings. Think Loaded Fries, Dirty Dogs, and Banging Burgers."

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF