The all star classic Oxford pub. Not for the discerning pub drinker, but it deserves its place on the number one spot. A great selection of beer, awesome secret location, the site of Clinton’s ‘non-inhalation’, winter evenings with chestnuts and marshmallows around fires, post finals debauchery, something for the tourist, something for the regular. What more can I say? A must visit for anyone in Oxford.

A lovely little pub that is very unique with an old fashioned feel.
Beautifully hidden down a ally around the universities of Oxford but you will probably get lost even if you have been there before I still struggle to find it.
The Turf Tavern is at its purest in summer when the small beer gardens are full and light shines on the hickoldy picklody pub the type that some people have to bend down to come in the door its full of character.
The staff are always really pleasant many of them younger students and the prices are ok, not amazingly cheap nor expensive but the atmosphere that the pub has makes prices irrelevant. The pub does have a dusty feel with a wooden musty smell but that adds to the feel
Its worth a visit especially in the summer.

A regular stop whenever I’m in Oxford. It’s a few hundred years old and looks even older. It’s low-ceilinged, small-doored, hidden down a passageway between buildings, and invariably busy. Watch your head on the beams, try to fit in at one of the crowded tables, and revel in a building that probably hasn’t changed much since the 17th century.

Great ales on tap (Archers, Flowers, Speckled Hen, many more). The food is decent.

There are some outdoor seating and standing areas; they’re sorely needed on weekend afternoons.

A safe bet in the sad Oxford student hang-out and get pissed scene.

Our visit to the Turf was a most unpleasant experience. I was with a group of Morris Dancers who were performing at the Oxford Folk Festival, we visited the Turf on recommendation of good real ale. On arrival we were made to feel unwelcome, despite the fact that we were drinking the beer and some of us bought food. On of the group had their chair kicked by the manager because they had moved their chair, blocking the aisle. A pleasant ‘can you move your seat from there’ would have been fine, but to kick the chair. When that member challenged the manager about his behaviour later, he lied to her telling her that he grabbed the back of the chair with his hand and shook it, no mean feat when you have a plate in both hands! When she explained that she wouldn’t have heard him if he had said something as she was hearing impaired he just told her, it’s a good job I did shake the chair then isn’t it and turned his back on her. Another member had children with her, her child threw a couple of chips on the floor and the mangager gave her a right telling off for allowing her child to do that. We were sitting outside and it would have been cleared up if he hadn’t pounced! Overall, a very dissappointing visit, the pub missed out on us all spending our money there and I would not recommend this pub to anyone purely on the strength of the arrogant manager!

I have spent much of my life in the TT.
on the whole this is a great pub - buzzing atmosphere and good beer. food isn’t bad either.
the problem is the staff know it and it can take a while before you are noticed and served. it is cheaper than the KA too.

The Turf Tavern in Oxford is a charming, historical public house, that I have always found most welcoming. I am a second generation customer as my mother has frequented the pub for over 20 years and introduced me to it.

Considering that we have lived in Southampton for almost eight years and still consider this our favourite pub, says alot for the ambience. I personally had my first legal pint there and haven’t looked back since.

All our friends that we have taken there have immediately loved it, not only for the atmosphere but the superb cask ales and the delicious menu - which is well worth the wait as it is prepared fresh. Anyone that frequents The Turf for food will either get there early to order or be happy to wait what I consider a reasonable time for freshly cooked dishes (the salmon is perfectly cooked).

I have seen many staff working very hard especially during busier periods. They have always been curtious and rather than just serving beer, they actually know about the product they are selling. This can only be due to good training and the managers apprieciation of fine ales.

I have met the manager on many an occasion and he has always been friendly and accomodating, even when he is really busy (which is more often than not), he has time to greet you and as you leave, thank you for your custom. I wish there was a pub like this in the area that I live.

I was there only yesterday and though I haven’t been there since January, I was remembered as a customer and greeted warmly. The service from the staff was second to none, the food was as good as ever and I could have happily sat there for the rest of the day.

By the way I think its excellent that there is water on tap for anyone to help themselves, because you don’t always want to queue for a simple glass of water - The Turf understand and apprieciate this.

I feel that The Turf Tavern is fully deserving of the status of Perfect Pub 2007 and wholey expect it to keep this title, especially whilst the current management reside. I would and do personally reccommend it to anyone. Go there and find out for yourself, you will not be dissapointed.

I’m a cowley boy at heart and i like to stay true to pubs like the hobgoblin and Oxford Blue. I’m only giving the Turf 4*s for one reason. Tourists. This is a great pub, but it’s definitely not a hidden gem. Go in the winter when there are no tourists!

Best pub in oxford. Hands down. I used to go here ALL THE TIME when i was a student. I hope it’s as good as it used to be. I’m 6ft and i always bang my head on the incredibly low ceilings. I still come back thoough!

I have been an irregular drinker at the Turf Tavern since 1963 when I was a student and although it has succumbed to some changes it remains the same; fairly boisterous at times, a wonderful range of well-kept real ales and what appears and smells to be good food. I recommend it to all visitors to Oxford.

Great atmosphere in a cosy ‘hidden’ pub full of history.

What a great place! Tucked in down alleyways and narrow passages, the Turf Tavern is one of the best pubs I’ve ever been to. Great atmosphere, great location, nice beers, friendly staff, etc. I love that you can sit outside in the dead of winter next to one of their charcoal brazers and stay nice and warm. Great idea. There are better pubs for food in Oxford, but for atmosphere and a good lazy Sunday afternoon, this place can’t be beat.

This is by far the best pub in Oxford - tucked away behind Hertford college, this is the traditional place to go and have a few after finishing your exams. You may well see a few students in their exam outfits (sub fusc) if you head in around May or July. Beware if you are one - the pub will check your ID and won’t let in anyone who has been trashed by mates after finishing.

There’s a brilliant selection of beers and there’s always a guest beer, so if you’re into your real ales, this is the place to come. Ace at Christmas when there’s a great mulled wine, and I love a Pimms and lemonade in the summer. There’s also a range of food, and a BBQ in the summer months.

The Turf is an Oxford institution which I heard won a national “Perfect Pub” award 2007. They always have a fine range of real ales including those from local Oxfordshire brewery White Horse. It’s a traditional old pub, no loud music but always crowded; mostly students but a lot of tourists seem to find their way there despite it’s famously hidden location. Friendly, efficient staff make it always a pleasure. The garden is lovely all year round, with big braziers warming folks up during winter. The food is pretty average pub fare. If you’re a visitor to Oxford don’t miss a visit to The Turf Tavern, but mind your head - the ceilings are dangerously low!

The turf tavern is hard to find but SOOO worth it. Any bona fide drinker or student in Oxford has been there. It has a beer garden (with heaters ffor those winter evenings), some really varied types of real ale…and a gorgeous assortment of cider including old rosies.

Its what i call a ’’real’’ pub, being that it serves ale, has a low ceiling and has a slightly musty smell :)

The last time i was in The Turf was last mayday when it opened up at about 5am in the morning and fired up its grill. There is nothing like a real ale and a cheeseburger at 6:30am on mayday. :)

The garden is interesting because it tells tales of famous visitors including bill clinton… i will not however tell you the tales because i think you should go and visit this hidden gem for yourself!!

the best quote about the turf tavern is in reference to extremely hidden location “It is a place that you can only find if you’ve been there before….its like finding Narnia”. Hidden down an improbably narrow alley off Holywell St. This pub is magical, completely hemmed in by Oxford colleges, it feels like stepping back in time. With 2 separate outside sitting areas as well as sitting inside, this pub encapsulates everything Oxford should be. Frequently visited by Bill Clinton during his Rhodes Scholar days, and location of a former Aussie Prime minster’s world record speed drinking of a yard of ale in the 70’s. The turf is a must for anyone, local or tourist who want s to escape for a few hours.

REVIEW IN ONE LINE: It’s like finding Narnia

The Turf Tavern is known as a-must-visit-while-you’re-in-Oxford. So If you happen to be in Oxford, visit the Turf Tavern. Simple. It’s a fine pub with outside seating, a fairly good selection of ales and friendly staff. I can get a bit crowded though as it is popular both with students and tourists.