Some pubs in Oxford have repeatedly changed their names over the years.

Last month the White House pub in Abingdon Road reopened as the Slow & Steady after Tap Social handed over the running of the pub to Dodo Pub Co.

The new name, linked to the building's architect, proved controversial but Dodo decided to go ahead with the new name despite a number of protests.

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Morgan Pub Company, which runs The Grapes in George Street, and Gardeners Arms in North Parade, has now taken over the Angel & Greyhound in St Clement's.

It has been owned by Young's since 1991 but now it is run by Morgan, its old name Oranges & Lemons will be restored.

The renaming of the two pubs in quick succession has led real ale enthusiast Dave Richardson to consider which hostelries in recent years have changed names the most.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The spokesman for the city's branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), said the Cow & Creek in New Road had changed names several times in recent years.

He added that the name "conjured up images of bovines wading into water and possibly leaving behind traces of their presence". 

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The pub was also called Que Pasa? and the Bell & Compass, both identities it has had in the last 20 years.

Mr Richardson added: "A pub first occupied the site in 1764 as the Blue Anchor, later becoming the Anchor, purchased by Oxford brewery Morrells in 1779 and being renamed the Westgate in 1977.

"In 1997 it became the O.X. ONE. I make that seven identities, five of them in less than 50 years."

Another pub which has changed its name several times is the Lighthouse in Park End Street.

Its previous identities have included the Duke’s Cut (named after a branch of the Oxford Canal that finishes nearby), Rosie O’Grady’s (an Irish-themed pub) and, until 1995, the Queen’s Arms.

(Image: Oxford Drinker) There have also been several name changes at The Cape of Good Hope pub at The Plain in east Oxford.

Mr Richardson added: "The Cape of Good Hope at one point became The Pub Oxford.

"Fortunately this didn’t last long, but it then became It’s a Scream, with a sign showing Edward Munch’s famous painting The Scream, as part of a chain of student-oriented pubs.

"It was certainly a striking sign, attracting the right audience perhaps, but reverted to the Cape of Good Hope before long."

Oxford Pubs, a book by Mr Richardson focusing on the history of city pubs, was published in 2015.

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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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