
Quick info
About The Castle
The Castle is a Hook Norton pub in Oxford, at 24 Paradise St on a side street next to the Westgate shopping centre. Hook Norton Brewery renamed it The Castle to mark its traditional name, The Castle Tavern. The bar carries a big selection of beers, with Guinness on offer, and Coke and sparkling water on tap. The kitchen serves pies, including a chicken and chorizo pie, alongside hunters chicken with sides and homemade lasagna with garlic bread. The pub is compact, with seating upstairs and downstairs and a layout of nooks and crannies. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingParking
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness, chicken pie, hunters chicken and homemade lasagna.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness, chicken pie, hunters chicken and homemade lasagna.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the pies and hearty pub plates, with a chicken and chorizo pie, a first English chicken pie, hunters chicken with sides, and a homemade lasagna with garlic bread all named as delicious or great portions. Close behind is the beer, with Guinness praised more than once, a big selection, and Hook Norton ales, alongside a whiskey cola one bartender patiently helped build and Coke and sparkling water on tap for non-drinkers. Many describe a quiet, cozy, traditional pub with nooks and crannies, tucked on a side street by the shopping centre, and several call the staff friendly and the food quick on a quiet Wednesday night. The main complaint is a midday visit where an order was taken, then about ten minutes later a staff member said the kitchen was closed, leaving the diner refused a meal and unwilling to return. Another reviewer mentions staff who called a taxi that arrived on time.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the pies and hearty pub plates, with a chicken and chorizo pie, a first English chicken pie, hunters chicken with sides, and a homemade lasagna with garlic bread all named as delicious or great portions. Close behind is the beer, with Guinness praised more than once, a big selection, and Hook Norton ales, alongside a whiskey cola one bartender patiently helped build and Coke and sparkling water on tap for non-drinkers. Many describe a quiet, cozy, traditional pub with nooks and crannies, tucked on a side street by the shopping centre, and several call the staff friendly and the food quick on a quiet Wednesday night. The main complaint is a midday visit where an order was taken, then about ten minutes later a staff member said the kitchen was closed, leaving the diner refused a meal and unwilling to return. Another reviewer mentions staff who called a taxi that arrived on time.
Featured reviews
- Tola Marts
“Love this pub. Delicious food, great ambiance, close to lots of hotels and attractions. Picture is of chicken and chorizo pie- delicious! They also have both Coke and sparkling water on tap- a wonderful detail for those of us who don't or can't drink any alcohol.”
- Василий Попович
“Magnificent place) We found this place by chance and didn't regret it. Even though it's downtown, it's very quiet and peaceful. Great and friendly staff. We recommend”
- thomas woodbridge
“Can’t fault the service on this occasion staff very friendly and attentive excellent Guinness Allan & Andrea help me very much if fact went the extra mile by calling a taxi 🚕 which arrived on time. Wish everyone well enjoyed my visit. 6th February 2026”
- Zoe Williams
“I came in today for a quick bite to eat and a drink. The lovely girl behind the bar took my order and said it wouldn't be too long, however ten minutes later one of the male staff members (tall American bloke) said that the kitchen was 'closed' suddenly at I could not eat there today. It was mid day so I was rather surprised being refused service. The girl behind the bar was very apologetic but I am shocked by the attitude of the male waiter. I will not be coming back if he is in”
- Ariana
“Special thanks to the bartender who helped very kindly and patiently through EVERY STEP of what I needed in my whiskey cola (I didn’t know anything other than I wanted whiskey and cola) because, at the end, it was the best one I’ve ever drank. My fiancés beer was also really good. Will go back if we’re ever in Oxford again :))”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“The Castle Oxford has been through many changes of ownership throughout the years and has been named a variety of different names. When Hook Norton Brewery took over the pub five years ago, the pub was renamed ‘The Castle’ to celebrate its history and traditional name of ‘The Castle Tavern’.”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Delivery
Show more amenities
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Offerings· 5
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Food
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Dining options· 3
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Castle
- The Swan & Castle3.92,2860 mi
fish and chips, beer selection on tap, meal deal offers
- The Royal Blenheim4.58950.1 miWheelchair accessible
titanic cask ales, keg and nitro beers, board games
- The Four Candles4.04,4070.2 mi
large breakfast, cheap drinks selection, football matches on screens
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The CastleReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.3665 | — | guinness, chicken pie, hunters chicken |
| The Swan & Castle | 3.92,286 | 0 mi | fish and chips, beer selection on tap, meal deal offers |
| The Royal BlenheimWheelchair accessible | 4.5895 | 0.1 mi | titanic cask ales, keg and nitro beers, board games |
| The Four Candles | 4.04,407 | 0.2 mi | large breakfast, cheap drinks selection, football matches on screens |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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