Originally the Waterman when it opened in 1871, this pub has undergone a thorough overhaul recently, including the change of name, and is now much more food-orientated. It’s located on Osney Island, a small area of streets surrounded by branches of the Thames, and the pub gets a good local drinking crowd from the Island and from boaters mooring up on the river outside. The Thames path goes past the front door, too. The nearby lock was built in 1790 by prisoners from Oxford Gaol after the warden put in the lowest bid. Now houses a community-owned hydro scheme. Pub relaunched July 2020 with completely vegetarian and vegan menu. A past winner of Branch Pub of the Year, they maintain a strong commitment to real ale. Card payment only.