Away from the hubbub of the centre, this cosy traditional pub feels like it’s still in search of an identity.

The Venue
With white walls and hanging flower baskets St Aldate’s seems every inch the traditional English pub. On closer inspection the brown tiles on the outside are cracking a little. Inside the place is small and narrow and there’s parquet and stone flooring. There's an aisle down the middle created by the tables and chairs on the left and right and this leads straight to the bar.

The walls are cream and Gordon’s Gin bottles on the tables serve as candlestick holders. There are flags from around the world hanging down from the ceiling to give it a tourist–friendly vibe. The grumpy old landlord can spoil the whole party though and seems to have lost any charm he may have had.

The People
This place is popular with tourists and visitors and does have its own cliquey crowd of regulars. There’s a sprinkling of students too from the nearby colleges, plus a dash of tutors. It's a bit of a hotch potch and its the sort of pub you stop in for a drink once in a while rather than making it a regular stop-off.

The Food and Drink
The beer selection is pretty good with Guinness, John Smith’s, White Horse Bitter (from the local White Horse Brewery), Beck’s, Hopback Brewery’s Spring Zing, London Pride, Foster’s and Wychwood’s Brakspear and Hobgoblin ales all on tap. There’s also Strongbow and Scrumpy Jack on draught. There’s a range of sandwiches and main courses and a bacon butty costs an eminently reasonable £2.25.

The Last Word
This place is fine but is just your average boozer, if they sort out that attitude problem.

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