Which historic pub will you visit when lockdown is lifted?

Some landlords will hang on until May 17 when they can also reopen inside.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has floated the idea of pubs being asked to run a pubs passports scheme, with customers asked to show proof they have been vaccinated.

But some have already dismissed the proposal as unworkable.

Pubs in the city centre looking forward to reopening include The Royal Blenheim, The White Horse and The Castle.

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Oxford has many historic pubs although The Lamb & Flag in St Giles has already closed as a result of poor trade due to coronavirus lockdowns.

Owners St John's College took the decision in January not to reopen it and there is also doubt over the future of the city's oldest pub, The Mitre in High Street.

Lincoln College has renovated student accommodation at The Mitre but leases the pub to Marston's which says the hostelry's future is under review.

The Bear Inn in 2013

One of the city's quirky and historic pubs is The Bear Inn.

It houses a collection of thousands of old ties with many displayed on the walls.

In 2013, the pub featured in Ye Olde Good Inn Guide, published by The History Press.

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The book says The Bear claims to be one of the oldest public houses in England, dating back to 1242.

The Bear Inn in Oxford

The Bear’s circa-17th century incarnation stands in Alfred Street, and generations of residents and tourists have sacrificed their neck-wear for a drink.

John Chipperfield, who compiles the Oxford Mail’s Memory Lane feature, said: “The practice of taking ties began in 1954 by the then landlord (and former Oxford Mail cartoonist) Alan Course.

“Anyone who came in with a tie had it cut halfway down (the owner kept the bit round the neck and Alan swiped the bit at the bottom for his collection). The donor then got a free pint for his trouble.”

The Royal Blenheim in St Ebbe's

Ties are still coming in, although they are usually given intact, as landlord James Vernede said in 2013: “We have around 5,000 ties in the pub which have come from all over the world.

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“The last one received, in October 2012, was from a member of St John’s College Archery Club and we are always looking for new places to hang them.”

Another pub featured in the book is The George Hotel in High Street, Wallingford, previously the George & Dragon.

Judy Dewey, curator of Wallingford Museum, said: “On March 3, 1626, a man called John Hobson was stabbed to death during a fight at a pub, probably the George & Dragon.

The White Horse in Broad Street

“Hobson’s fiancée was so distraught that she locked herself in an upstairs room and painted markings on the walls with her tears mixed with soot from the fire.

“She died of grief, but the room became known as the Teardrop Room, as the marks are still visible, and her ghost has also been seen.”

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Local stories also say the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin stayed at the George & Dragon, but Mrs Dewey said they are likely just legend.

Adam Hall, who co-runs The Rose & Crown in North Parade Avenue

She said: “The George has a very interesting history and hopefully its place in this book will encourage more people to come to Wallingford and visit the museum, where a lot more fascinating information on the town can be found.”

Also featured in the book, by authors James Moore and Paul Nero, are Ye Olde Reindeer Inn in Banbury and The George in Dorchester-on-Thames, which dates from 1495.