The Old Tom is a small, historic pub with a lovely beer garden at the back.

The Venue
The Old Tom was first mentioned in the history books in 1681 when it was called Jacob's Well. The pub changed its name to Great Tom in 1865 and to The Old Tom a decade or so later. Named after the bell in nearby Christchurch’s Tom Tower, which strikes 101 times every evening at 9.05, it’s a long narrow pub with a very low ceiling, which many tall German tourists have found out to their cost.

Inside there are wooden tables and chairs and stools and those old-fashioned copper-topped tables. There’s a very pleasant enclosed patio at the back which is long and narrow and bordered by a tall ivy-covered wall and surrounded by plants and flowers. It’s got a high celebrity factor now too after being used in the filming of The Oxford Murders featuring John Hurt and Elijah Woods.

The People
It's a traditional old boozer and has a good balance of town and gown and, due to its history, more than its ration of visitors and tourists. This is somewhere to nurse a pint and while away a lazy Sunday afternoon with the papers, not somewhere to down short, sharp shots before heading out into town.

The Food and Drink
On the food menu there’s a roast beef baguette for £4.95 and toad in the hole for £8.95 - maybe you’re paying for the hole.

There’s Scrumpy Jack’s, Guinness, IPA and Kronenbourg on draught and in bottles there’s Budweiser, Beck’s, Magner’s and Kopparberg. The wine list includes bottles of Shiraz, Rioja and Chardonnay for around £12 to £21.

The Last Word
The Old Tom is an ideal spot for a glass of wine on the patio out the back in the sun. Unfortunately this tourist destination now has prices to match.

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