Turf Tavern: A Historic Oxford Pub Hidden Down a Secret Passageway

Dating back to 1381, Turf Tavern is one of Oxford’s most famous historic pubs. Hidden away down the narrow St Helen’s Passage, just beyond the Hertford Bridge, finding it feels like discovering a secret. Walking through the narrow alleyway adds a sense of mystery and adventure.

We visited during dinner time, and the place was buzzing. The outdoor seating area was completely packed, with people enjoying drinks and meals in the courtyard. Inside, the décor was exactly what you’d expect from a traditional English pub—warm, rustic, and full of character. There was plenty of indoor seating as well as the outdoor area.

The menu features classic British pub fare, including Fish & Chips, Sausage & Mash, and burgers. There’s also a Sunday Roast menu available on Sundays, along with a gluten-free menu.

Ordering is straightforward—you place both your food and drink orders at the bar. Drinks are served immediately, while the food is brought to your table.

We ordered the Sea Bream, Mussels & Chorizo, served with a creamy white wine and garlic sauce alongside warm ciabatta. The sea bream was fresh, tender, and well-cooked, while the sauce was creamy, flavorful, and perfect with the bread.

The Chicken & Bacon Burger came with a breaded chicken breast, melted West Country mature cheddar, smoked streaky bacon, chipotle mayo, seasoned fries, onion rings, and a gherkin. The burger was decent, although the chicken was slightly tough and chewy. The fries, however, were excellent—crispy and well-seasoned.

The Fish & Chips was decent, with a nice crunch from the batter and flavorful mushy peas. Unfortunately, the batter was a little over-fried, and the fish was slightly dry, with some parts being tougher than expected.

Overall, while the food was a little inconsistent, visiting Turf Tavern was still a memorable experience. English pubs are such an important part of British culture, and sitting in this historic pub tucked away in a hidden corner of Oxford had a certain charm that made the visit worthwhile.

Turn Tavern

4 Bath Pl, Oxford OX1 3SU, United Kingdom

Breakfast in the Harry Potter-Inspired Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford

Anyone who has watched the Harry Potter films will immediately recognize the Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford, which famously served as the inspiration for Hogwarts’ iconic dining hall.

Only guests staying at Christ Church’s B&B accommodation have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the Great Hall, making it one of the most unique ways to experience this historic space.

Originally built in the 1520s as part of the college founded by Henry VIII, the hall is steeped in history. Before entering, you’ll climb the elegant stone staircase with its beautiful fan-vaulted ceiling. Walking through the doorway into the Great Hall is breathtaking. The magnificent hammerbeam roof, towering stained-glass windows, and walls lined with portraits of notable members of the university make it feel as though you’ve stepped back several centuries.

Breakfast itself was a classic English buffet with cereals, fresh fruit, toast and croissants, coffee and tea, along with hot items including baked beans, sausages, ham, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, and porridge. The food itself was decent, but that hardly mattered.

The real highlight was the setting. Sitting in one of Oxford’s most historic dining halls, surrounded by centuries of history and the atmosphere that inspired Hogwarts, transformed an ordinary breakfast into something truly memorable. It wasn’t so much about the food—it was about the experience. For any Harry Potter fan or history lover, it felt nothing short of magical.

The Great Dining Hall

Oxford OX1 1DP, United Kingdom

A Quintessential English Afternoon Tea at The Old Parsonage Hotel

I visited The Old Parsonage Hotel for afternoon tea, a renowned Oxford institution whose history dates back to 1660. Located just a 10–15 minute walk from Oxford city centre, the hotel is tucked away on Banbury Road, offering a quieter setting away from the bustling streets.

The building itself is beautiful, with a well-preserved façade and its original 17th-century heavy oak front door still welcoming guests today. Stepping inside feels like entering a classic English country house. The interior is tastefully decorated with artwork, plush velvet armchairs, dark accent walls, and elegant wooden furnishings, creating a cosy, intimate atmosphere that feels quintessentially English.

I had originally hoped to sit on the terrace, but it was an exceptionally warm summer day, so we chose a table indoors instead.

Afternoon tea is served daily from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A gluten-free option is available with advance notice. We ordered the Very High Tea, priced at £38 per person, including one gluten-free set. It came with a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade miniature cakes, plain and fruit scones served with clotted cream and preserves, and a choice of tea or coffee.

The bottom tier featured an assortment of finger sandwiches: cucumber with cream cheese, chicken and tarragon, smoked salmon, honey-baked ham with mustard, and egg mayonnaise with cress.

The middle tier consisted of freshly baked plain and fruit scones served with strawberry jam and rich clotted cream.

The gluten-free top tier included carrot cake, fruit cake, brownie, and orange posset, while the regular version featured a coffee choux bun, lemon drizzle cake, salted caramel brownie, vanilla cheesecake, and orange posset.

The finger sandwiches were enjoyable, although none particularly stood out. The scones were light, flaky, and buttery. The miniature cakes were the highlight. Each was thoughtfully prepared, with a good variety of flavours and textures. The orange posset was wonderfully smooth and refreshing, while the brownie was rich without being overly sweet. My favourite was the fruit cake—it was wonderfully moist and delightfully chewy, packed with dried fruits that gave it plenty of flavour and texture without being overly sweet.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience. While the food was very good, what made the afternoon truly memorable was the setting.