The White Horse
A tiny Broad Street pub squeezed between Blackwell's and the Bodleian — smaller than some college rooms.
The White Horse is possibly Oxford's smallest pub, wedged into a narrow gap between Blackwell's bookshop and the Sheldonian Theatre. The frontage is so modest you could walk past it on Broad Street without noticing, which is impressive given that Broad Street is where every tourist in Oxford eventually ends up.
Inside, the word "cozy" is being generous — this is very small indeed. A handful of tables, a short bar, and a narrow staircase to a slightly less cramped upper floor. It featured in the Inspector Morse novels as Morse's favourite pub (though the TV show used the Turf Tavern more often). Colin Dexter, the author, was a regular.
What to order
The ale selection is limited by the size of the cellar — which is to say, limited — but what they have is well kept. This is a pub for a single pint, not a session.
The vibe
Intimate to the point of claustrophobic on busy evenings. Best visited on a quiet afternoon when you can actually sit down and appreciate the atmosphere. The location is unbeatable for a post-bookshop pint, but manage your expectations about comfort. If you want space, go to the King's Arms across the road.
Nearby
Within a few minutes' walk
