Pubs and Inns:

Thame’s oldest pub – built around 1300 - is the recently renovated Birdcage (01844) 260381, which is reputedly haunted by the ghosts of soldiers from the Napoleonic wars. The “Birdcage” refers to its use as a prison in those days. Nowadays, this lovely old building offers visitors a fine selection of New World wines, excellent real ales and an appetising variety of home cooked snacks and meals. The beer garden at the front of the pub also offers a great place to watch life go by. Other excellent and atmospheric pubs in the vicinity include the Six Bells (01844) 212088, which has a large car park, a large beer garden in the shade of the 17th century building, and Fuller’s beer at its best. The Six Bells is very child friendly. The Rising Sun is also recommended as a pub in the traditional mould, serving excellent beers in a relaxed atmosphere. (01844) 214206. The Swan Hotel (01844) 261211 on Thame’s Upper High Street has recently had a facelift, and is an increasingly popular place for a pint of beer or a glass of wine.

Within easy driving distance we have the ever popular Trout Inn just north of Oxford. The pub sits next to a weir on the River Thames (known as the Isis in Oxford), and plays host to a family of peacocks. And, of course, we have the Black Horse pub in Mobwell, Great Missenden (01494) 862537 – famous for its support of ballooning over the past two decades.