The Masons Arms
A proper village pub in Headington Quarry — the kind of place C.S. Lewis would have walked to, because he did.
Headington Quarry still feels like a village, and the Masons Arms is its pub. Tucked away on Quarry School Place, just up the hill from where C.S. Lewis lived at The Kilns, this is a genuine community local that happens to also be an excellent pub.
The building is old and characterful — stone walls, low ceilings, a proper fireplace that gets lit in winter. The beer garden is a hidden gem, sheltered and surprisingly large, with views over the Quarry allotments. It's the sort of place where you could spend an entire afternoon without realising it.
What to order
Well-kept real ales from local and regional breweries. The food menu is short but done well — hearty pies, proper chips, good Sunday roasts. Nothing flash, everything reliable.
The vibe
A proper village pub. The regulars are friendly without being intrusive, the staff remember faces, and the atmosphere is welcoming. It combines well with a walk through nearby Shotover Country Park.