6 Best Bars in Oxford, The Thames Valley

Quaint and vibrant, this historic, ephemera-filled pub balances its ye olde heritage with a lively atmosphere, making it worth the short walk from the town center to Jericho. The French brasserie–style menu is well worth sampling for lunch or dinner.

With all-day bottomless brunches, lunchtime charcuterie boards, wine evenings, cocktail hours, and live music, the George Street Social draws an appealingly diverse clientele, which only adds to its charm. Spaced over two levels, the venue seamlessly transitions into a lively bar come evening and makes a great alternative to the city's many traditional pubs.

Near Folly Bridge, the terrace at the Head of the River is the perfect place to watch life on the water. It gets very crowded on sunny afternoons, but there's a great, quintessentially Oxford atmosphere. The pub also offers 20 comfortable guest rooms if you want to stay and appreciate the views a little longer.

The capacious Kings Arms, popular with students and fairly quiet during the day, carries excellent local brews as well as inexpensive pub food.

Off Holywell Street, the Turf Tavern has a higgledy-piggledy collection of little rooms and outdoor spaces where you can enjoy a quiet drink and inexpensive pub food.

This cozy pub, dating from at least 1823, serves authentic ales and traditional food all day.