Wheatley near Oxford has its first entry in the Good Beer Guide for many years after a village pub was highlighted for the consistently good quality of its beer.

The Sun was reopened by Oxfordshire-based independent pub group Oak Taverns in December 2022, and follows many other pubs in the group into the 2025 guide, including The Cross Keys in Thame and The Kings Arms in Wantage.

Dating from the 18th century and a Grade II listed heritage building, The Sun is a large, stone-built pub serving up to four mainly local real ales.

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Like all other Oak Taverns pubs it does not serve food, but welcomes independently run food vans at weekends.

Dave Richardson, of the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), has been poring over the 2025 edition of the guide to see the updates.

He told the Oxford Drinker, CAMRA's magazine: "Two old favourites in Oxford return to the guide for 2025 after reopening following a period of closure.

"The Lamb & Flag in St Giles is another historic pub with a major focus on real ale and a strong following among students and academics as well as locals and visitors.

(Image: David Molina) "Since reopening in October 2022 it has been run by a community group called the Inklings on behalf of owners St John’s College, and has again become very successful."

David Molina took over as landlord in June at the Lamb & Flag, replacing Dylan Dudbridge Hay and wife Alice.

Mr Richardson added: "The Grapes, on George Street, returns to the guide having reopened in August 2023.

"Here too the focus is mainly on local real ales and ciders, plus a range of craft keg options."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Morgan Pub Co, which operates the Grapes and the Gardeners Arms on North Parade Avenue, has just taken on a third pub in Oxford – the Angel & Greyhound in St Clement's.

Also back in the guide are St Aldates Tavern in Oxford, the Kings Arms in Kidlington and the Nag’s Head on the Thames in Abingdon, all good real ale pubs that have not featured for a year or more.

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Competition to get in the guide is intense, with 24 places available for pubs in the Oxford branch area which also covers Abingdon, Kidlington, Witney and nearby villages.

CAMRA members choose the entries based on beer quality scores on CAMRA’s national platform, Whatpub.com, and six pubs drop out for 2025 to make room for the new and returning pubs.

(Image: Ed Nix) Mr Richardson added: "All in all the Good Beer Guide entries for 2025 reflect an upbeat scene for pubs in and around Oxford, which has become a destination city for real ale drinkers keen to try the strong selection of beers made by local breweries and breweries from further afield.

"Despite the continuing gloomy picture of pubs closing nationwide, only one pub in central Oxford – the Eagle and Child – is long-term closed. New owners the Ellison Institute have pledged to retore it."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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