You're being lied to about British beer. Read the report

CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Join Us
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo

Broad Face, Abingdon

You have visited this venue
View all visits
Directions
You want to visit - You have this in
Cask Ale
Opens Wed at Noon
Operator: Leaseholder
30-32 Bridge Street, Abingdon, OX14 3HR (View on Google Map)
(01235) 538612
No website available
Facebook

Deceptively large two-roomed pub near the river with a small outside seating area on Thames Street. The name is first recorded in 1734 but there was a pub here before that possibly under a different name. Described on a lease of 1840 as 'newly erected' but that can't be true. Nicely done out inside and bright and welcoming. The traditional stories behind the pub's unique name have been written on the outside wall but any connection with the Old Gaol opposite (built 1805-1810, now apartments) is unlikely and omits the most likely explanation; that it was previously called the Saracen's Head and the sign was over painted. Changed hands again July2026.

Historic Interest

Listed Grade II. Late C18 early C19. Forms a group from Crown & Thistle.

Information for this venue is provided by the Oxford Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Vale of White Horse District
Last updated
Last surveyed
04/07/2026
Leasehold owner
Sanderson Pubs Ltd and Flury Pubs
Freehold owner
Greene King
Pub ID
OXF/AS-7
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Noon - 10:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 10:00pm
Friday
Noon - 11:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 10:00pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
No Service
Wednesday
Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 2:30pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 4:00pm
TasteMatch

Unlock TasteMatch and all of CAMRA’s online tools from just 99p/month with our Explorer Pass, or join as a member to get the best of pubs, beer and breweries plus discounts at the bar.

Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers and 0 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

St Austell - Tribute TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
St Austell Tribute Pump Clip
St Austell - Tribute Session Pale Ale • 4.2% Spotted 16 times
St Austell Tribute Pump Clip
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
St Austell - Tribute

Spotted 16 times recently. Last spotted 3 days ago at Broad Face, Abingdon.

ABV 4.2%
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Wadworth - 6X TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Wadworth 6X Pump Clip
Wadworth - 6X Session Bitter • 4.1% Spotted 23 times
Wadworth 6X Pump Clip
SIBA Indie Beer Sold Here
Wadworth - 6X

Spotted 23 times recently. Last spotted 2 days ago at Broad Face, Abingdon.

ABV 4.1%
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

from Greene King list

Changing beers typically include: St Austell - Tribute , Wadworth - 6X

Source: National

Your scores

Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.
Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
not intrusive
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
not Sunday
Garden Garden
Some seats outside on Thames Street
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Mobility Access Statement Mobility Access Statement
Small step in doorway. Has adapted toilet.
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (200m)
Oxford Bus Co: - several

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Nearby

(Pub, External, Key). Published on 20-10-2025
Open
Crown & Thistle
Acorn Pubs Ltd Pub, in Abingdon
3 Changing Beers
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-12-2025
Open
Nag's Head on the Thames
Honeycomb Houses (Brakspear) Pub, in Abingdon
4 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA discount scheme
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-10-2019
Open
King's Head & Bell
Pub, in Abingdon
1 Regular, 2 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA discount scheme
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 22-10-2025
Open
Punchbowl
Pub, in Abingdon
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
  • Historic Interior
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 24-03-2019
Closed • Opens at 4:00pm
Tipsy Mercer
Pub, in Abingdon

Cask Ale not available

(Key). Published on 12-05-2025
Open • Closes in 13 minutes
Que Pasa
Pub, in Abingdon

Cask Ale not available

(Pub, External, Sign, Key). Published on 06-04-2021
Open
Narrows
Wetherspoon Pub, in Abingdon
3 Regular, 3 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA voucher scheme
(Pub, External, Key). Published on 08-01-2026
Open
Blue Boar
Unity Pub Co. Pub, in Abingdon

Cask Ale not available

(Pub, External, Key). Published on 04-05-2026
Open
Black Swan
Pub, in Abingdon

Cask Ale not available

(Pub, External, Key). Published on 22-02-2026
Open
Old Anchor
Leaseholder Pub, in Abingdon
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
Pub Walk Shoes Icon

Love Cask Beer?

Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.

Become a member
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2026 (inst-a190de11-c4ed-4ef2-889f-f12f87cef979-4161894-app-7599slr2c)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Home

Privacy Overview

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.

Necessary

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. More information

Non-Necessary (Analytics)

These cookies help us to improve your web experience. They allow us to gather feedback on your behaviour and to show adverts relevant to you. You can turn this off here.

Cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.