Dave Richardson looks back on 2025 ups and downs for the city’s pubs
Oxford pubs can look back on a satisfactory year in 2025, bearing in mind the challenges that all pubs face. The year is set to end with no long-term closures at least in the city centre, although the Eagle and Child (closed 2020) is still undergoing a major revamp and some pubs stand empty beyond the centre.
Pubs in the heart of Oxford can buck national trends due to the large number of students (some wealthy) and tourists, and most of them are very busy at least at weekends. In the suburbs – as in the county towns and villages – it’s more of a struggle, and the longer term impact of the recent Budget could spell the end for some.
The year could well be remembered for re-openings rather than closures, starting with the Oranges & Lemons in February. Previously known as the Angel & Greyhound when run by pub chain Young’s, it was taken over by small group the Morgan Pub Collective which had already made a success of the Grapes, and has now added the George Street Social.
The Star is now in the Good Beer Guide
Success followed at the Oranges & Lemons when it won a place in the 2026 Good Beer Guide, while the appeal of East Oxford for real ale drinkers was also boosted by the Star, on Rectory Road, gaining entry to the guide for the first time ever.
Another re-opening, in June, was of the Gardeners Arms in North Parade Avenue – not to be confused with a pub of the same name on nearby Plantation Road. Morgan ran the North Parade pub briefly for owners Greene King but pulled out early in January, and a few months later after another revamp it was re-opened as a “pub and creperie” by Michel Sadones, a well-known restauranteur who also runs the Old Bookbinders in Jericho.
Further re-openings after short periods of closure were the Anchor in North Oxford and the Six Bells in Headington, but in July Scottish craft brewery Brewdog announced that its Oxford bar, on Cowley Road, would be one of 10 around the country to be closed. Some brewery and pub chains have felt able to invest in their Oxford pubs, including Fuller’s which revamped outside space at the historic Bear Inn, while adding more seating in a converted shop next door. But now there are indications that some large chains could offload pubs to reduce their debts, including Stonegate which operates brands including Slug and Lettuce, plus many unbranded pubs.
Some suburban pubs ran successful beer festivals in the summer, including the White Hart and Masons Arms in Headington, and these are all the more important following Oxford CAMRA’s decision to cancel the 2025 beer festival at the Town Hall due to increased costs and falling attendances. Start of a new academic year in the autumn was a boost for pubs as usual, and despite indications that fewer young people drink alcohol, pubs now sell a wider range of “low and no” alcohol beer and other drinks.
The Masons Arms beer festival made a comeback in September — but it’s a great pub at any time of year
The all-important festive season is now upon us, but you may have to dig ever deeper to enjoy a drink. A comprehensive survey of city centre pubs by Oxford CAMRA last month revealed that the average price for a pint of real ale had risen to £5.62 with one pub, the Turf Tavern, charging over £7 a pint for some ales. It’s now commonplace to see city centre pubs charging over £6, with craft keg and lager often £1 a pint more. The lowest prices are still to be found at the two Wetherspoon pubs in the city centre, while the best priced of other pubs was the White Rabbit.
Oxford CAMRA members are now voting for their City Pub of the Year, a title currently held by the Grapes, with the winner to be announced in January. A shortlist is drawn up based on beer quality scores throughout the year, and other contenders for the 2026 title are the Lamb & Flag, Masons Arms, Rose & Crown, Royal Blenheim, Star, White Hart (Headington), White Hart (Wolvercote) and White Rabbit.
The cheapest real ale in the city centre — apart from Wetherspoons — is at the White Rabbit
The winter edition of CAMRA’s Oxford Drinker magazine includes an appeal to support pubs especially in January and February, their quietest months, when some could be at risk. The pub industry has put out dire warnings since the Budget, and while it has warned of mass closures in the past there’s a risk of crying wolf this time when that slobbering beast really is at the door. Pubs are essential parts of British life so use them or lose them.
This article will also appear in the Oxford Mail during the festive season.
A year of qualified success for Oxford pubs
Dave Richardson looks back on 2025 ups and downs for the city’s pubs
Oxford pubs can look back on a satisfactory year in 2025, bearing in mind the challenges that all pubs face. The year is set to end with no long-term closures at least in the city centre, although the Eagle and Child (closed 2020) is still undergoing a major revamp and some pubs stand empty beyond the centre.
Pubs in the heart of Oxford can buck national trends due to the large number of students (some wealthy) and tourists, and most of them are very busy at least at weekends. In the suburbs – as in the county towns and villages – it’s more of a struggle, and the longer term impact of the recent Budget could spell the end for some.
The year could well be remembered for re-openings rather than closures, starting with the Oranges & Lemons in February. Previously known as the Angel & Greyhound when run by pub chain Young’s, it was taken over by small group the Morgan Pub Collective which had already made a success of the Grapes, and has now added the George Street Social.
Success followed at the Oranges & Lemons when it won a place in the 2026 Good Beer Guide, while the appeal of East Oxford for real ale drinkers was also boosted by the Star, on Rectory Road, gaining entry to the guide for the first time ever.
Another re-opening, in June, was of the Gardeners Arms in North Parade Avenue – not to be confused with a pub of the same name on nearby Plantation Road. Morgan ran the North Parade pub briefly for owners Greene King but pulled out early in January, and a few months later after another revamp it was re-opened as a “pub and creperie” by Michel Sadones, a well-known restauranteur who also runs the Old Bookbinders in Jericho.
Further re-openings after short periods of closure were the Anchor in North Oxford and the Six Bells in Headington, but in July Scottish craft brewery Brewdog announced that its Oxford bar, on Cowley Road, would be one of 10 around the country to be closed. Some brewery and pub chains have felt able to invest in their Oxford pubs, including Fuller’s which revamped outside space at the historic Bear Inn, while adding more seating in a converted shop next door. But now there are indications that some large chains could offload pubs to reduce their debts, including Stonegate which operates brands including Slug and Lettuce, plus many unbranded pubs.
Some suburban pubs ran successful beer festivals in the summer, including the White Hart and Masons Arms in Headington, and these are all the more important following Oxford CAMRA’s decision to cancel the 2025 beer festival at the Town Hall due to increased costs and falling attendances. Start of a new academic year in the autumn was a boost for pubs as usual, and despite indications that fewer young people drink alcohol, pubs now sell a wider range of “low and no” alcohol beer and other drinks.
The all-important festive season is now upon us, but you may have to dig ever deeper to enjoy a drink. A comprehensive survey of city centre pubs by Oxford CAMRA last month revealed that the average price for a pint of real ale had risen to £5.62 with one pub, the Turf Tavern, charging over £7 a pint for some ales. It’s now commonplace to see city centre pubs charging over £6, with craft keg and lager often £1 a pint more. The lowest prices are still to be found at the two Wetherspoon pubs in the city centre, while the best priced of other pubs was the White Rabbit.
Oxford CAMRA members are now voting for their City Pub of the Year, a title currently held by the Grapes, with the winner to be announced in January. A shortlist is drawn up based on beer quality scores throughout the year, and other contenders for the 2026 title are the Lamb & Flag, Masons Arms, Rose & Crown, Royal Blenheim, Star, White Hart (Headington), White Hart (Wolvercote) and White Rabbit.
The winter edition of CAMRA’s Oxford Drinker magazine includes an appeal to support pubs especially in January and February, their quietest months, when some could be at risk. The pub industry has put out dire warnings since the Budget, and while it has warned of mass closures in the past there’s a risk of crying wolf this time when that slobbering beast really is at the door. Pubs are essential parts of British life so use them or lose them.
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