The Kings Arms Pub from across the river. The Lock is on the right in the picture. On the left you see just an end of a barge that drew up to the dock to stop for some refreshments.

After the outing on Tuesday, we decided on a bit more sedate activity. A fairly long walk through Southern Oxford brought us to a lovely pub called The Kings Arms . (It should be noted that there is a rather well-known pub in downtown Oxford of the same name, but this is not it.) This one is technically The Kings Arms Sandford-on-Thames. It sits beside a lock in the river, making it a perfect stopping point for boats and a nice destination for locals looking for a pleasant place to eat, drink and relax.  Before we got there, though, after cutting through the parking lot at Kasem Stadium, we passed a derelict building that looked like it had once been a church, but in fact had been a pub. Unfortunately it became a bit of a nuisance and was shut down.

A side note: Pubs are struggling in the U.K. The tradition of going to the pub after work each day and spending the entire evening there is succumbing to changing cultural trends and alternate entertainment options. Plus people just aren’t drinking as much beer as they used to. Many pubs are responding by becoming more restaurant-like to survive. The NY Times did an interesting article about the trend.

Closed pub in Southern Oxford.

Along the way I learned another lesson about walking along overgrown paths and sidewalks in England – beware the nettles. Although I’m well aware of having to avoid plants like poison ivy in the U.S., I know how to identify those on sight. I now know what the term “stinging nettles” means, what those plants look like, and what it feels like to brush up against them. It’s not pleasant. The sting isn’t unbearable, at least on small, light exposure, but it’s itchy and uncomfortable for quite a while. I definitely wouldn’t want to fall into a patch of them.

All that aside, The Kings Arms pub at Sandford-on-Thames appears to be thriving, blessed with an excellent menu and a wonderful location. Sitting right beside a lock on the river, the place features at a beautifully landscaped site anchored by the working lock, with a walking path that practically demands a stroll after a filling meal. The building was extensively renovated following the 2013 flooding in Oxford, but it retains the warmth of its cozy interior and the pleasant outdoor dining option. The menu is extensive, most of it is classic pub food – filling and satisfying.

Dining al fresco at The Kings Arms, Sandford-on-Thames

Making it even more enjoyable, our newest grandchild is an amazingly cooperative baby. She was always a good sport about being loaded into and out of the pram and car seat. Other than being hungry she rarely cried and mostly cooed and gurgled and slept.

The walk back to their house seemed much longer than the walk there, since we were weighed down by full tummies and somewhat tired out by walking around the river. Plus it was a rather warm day.

Still, it was a great way to spend the day.

 

Freya in her pram, ready for an outing.