please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A welcome sight on a 13 mile canal walk between Heyford and Banbury and pretty much the only pub right on the canal throughout that stretch. Hook Norton ales are on tap which is pretty much how it should be given the area and we enjoyed a decent soup and sandwich combo each for £7.50. The rest of the food looked good but perhaps not as excellent as others on here are making out while it was enjoyable to toast Jeremy Corbyn in an area where he is unlikely to have too many supporters. The music in the pub was criminally poor.
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The Great Western Arms is located on the border between Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, just west of the M40 and next to both a railway line and a canal. It's primarily a foodie pub. But it did have a range of Hook Norton ales - Hooky, Old Hooky, Lion & Curious Crane. I assume the latter is a new brew from this brewery. They also had Old Rosie cider and a good range of spirits. The pub is clearly popular for its food with several table loads arriving during my short visit. It consists of 2 rooms, with a small seating area outside at the front and a garden at the rear.
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Top class country eating house with good Hook Norton ales (including Flagship on our latest visit) friendly, attentive and clearly well trained staff. A rare canal side find - well worth a visit.
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The food is the main attraction here - it truly is excellent, prepared by the chef/patron. Service was faultless, friendly and efficient, even though the place was packed with diners. You definitely have to book for dinner on Saturday evenings. However if you just want a nice pint in a real old characterful traditional country pub you will not be disappointed.
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Four of us went there for lunch last Saturday. We were surprised at how empty the place was. Although we were there several hours there couldn't have been more than a handful of other sets of people eating.
The food was okay (3 fish and chips and 1 burger). I've had better pub burgers, but the food and drink were fine and the staff attentive.
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a great pub well worth a trip out
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We were delighted the moment we entered the Great Western Arms, Aynho. A beautifully presented classic country pub. Wooden bar, exposed bricks in places, slate tiled floor, double sided open fire, two dining rooms and a welcoming bar.
Upon further investigation, we found an inner courtyard with lots of tables and also a Skittle alley and pool table. Outside we found another seating area with a petanque pitch (boules) and indications that an Aunt Sally area was in progress.
As much as we fell in love with the pub itself, we were totally taken by the friendly, professional service and the amazing food. We did notice a waitress getting a high-chair for a young couple with a toddler - nice touch.
The food was very good, and starters started @ 4.50 and mains ranged from 8.75 through to 21.50 for a delicious Surf n Turf T-bone steak with Tiger Prawns and all the trimmings.
We will be back.
KiwiG - 11 May 2010 11:35 |
Welcoming pub located between the Oxford Canal and the railway line (sadly the staion is no longer open). Excellent beer, didn't try the food but it looked very good.
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The new owners have done an outstanding job with this place and I would recommend it highly. Great menu, great food, great beer, great service. Well worth a visit. Good luck to the young couple running it. Rene has oodles of ability in the kitchen and Ali is the perfect host. Top notch. I will return when I come back down the canal!
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We went to this pub twice ast week whilst cruising on the Oxford Canal and the hosts were extremely friendly and helpful. The meals are excellent, well presented and I would definitely recommend the white chocolate and raspberry brulee - of which my dad had two. A lovely couple running it and I would recommend it. This couple have had the pub only two weeks and have done an extremely good job with presentation and service.
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The Great Western at Aynho was not closed for refurbishment in July and has not had a change of ownership as previously suggested. 5 of us went on Saturday evening and had an excellent meal and the beer and service were great too.
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Sadly, the worst Hooky beer I've been served in a Hooky pub. I say pub, but when the landlord asks straight away if you're eating and shows you to a table, that's not a pub and I guess that's why the beer was cr*p! Another clue "Half price champagne on Thursdays! Let's hope they find enough money to reopen the Cartwright Arms in the village.
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We had a great night here last week. Excellent food and a welcoming feeling. We just loved the new ambience. Only problem was that there were 11 of us eating and they imposed a service charge. Spoils the night.
doccox - 13 Nov 2004 18:06 |
